Database and Management Information Systems (MIS) Manager at Mercy Corps

General Position Summary

The Database and MIS manager will play a critical leadership role in innovating and adapting existing MIS to reflect programmatic and learning approach and needs. Working with the consortium-based MIS staff, the Manager will be responsible for coordinating designing and roll-out of the Nawiri Information Management Information (MIS) system including creation of automated dashboards to facilitate effective visualization of evidence for program adaptive management and learning. The Database and MISManager will work closely with the Program and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) teams to build robust MIS system that facilitate effective roll-out of Nawiri Case Management Approach which include monthly data abstraction from Case Management Anchor Group Registers. They will be responsible for to drive digital innovations for data capturing, storage, protection and analyses. Act as focal point person for Nawiri Management Information  System (MIS) for the consortium and drive system integration with implementing partners and align with Mercy Corps Kenya data management and protection policies. Support capacity building initiatives targeting county government and local service providers(LSP) on GIS and MIS as part of localization and strengthening sustainable data use for planning and learning. The Database and MIS Manager will contribute to the visioning, strategic planning, and work plans of the MEL team by bringing expert technical perspective to the program on how to best use technology to support data needs for optimized program management.

Essential Job Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Project Database Architecture and Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership to MIS staff on database design, roll-out, management and information product development and visualization.
• Work with all stakeholders to ensure database architecture responds to data and information for program learning and adaptive management
• Refine and adapt the MIS system based on the evolving needs and ensure alignment of the system to Mercy Corps’ and Donor Information Management Policy.
• Align Nawiri’s MIS with consortium partner’s databases to facilitate effective systems interoperability which include data management and sharing
• Work with consortium MEL team to identify innovative approaches to data collection, storage and visualization including use of mobile technology to build efficiency in data management.
• Develop effective data visualization platforms to facilitate a culture of evidence-based program management and learning at program and community level.
• Follow processes and maintain version control over the code assets within the Microsoft Azure data platform and GitHub repositories.
• Engage with data analysts, visualization/BI developers, data scientists to prep datasets for data analysis and visualization.
• Work with Mercy Corps PaQ/MEL, IT, T4D team members as well as Microsoft Cloud data and infrastructure architects to ensure harmonized data collection tools and schema are properly deployed into effective automated data pipelines/data architecture in Microsoft Azure
• Integration: Give attention and guidelines to interoperability with government databases and other stakeholders for more cohesive data management.
• System Evolution: continuous improvement to new programmatic needs, including integrating AI and machine learning for predictive analytics

Data Acquisition:

• Develop standardized digital data capturing forms with data validation and in-built calculations using Commcare or ONA platforms and
• Institutionalize data quality standards in data collation platforms to improve data capture and quality.
• Oversee technical MIS operations to facilitate data collection, storage and  
• Capacity building on Nawiri staff on use of mobile technology for data collection and virtualization
• Develop standard operating procedure (SOP) for data collection, entry and storage
• Advanced Tools: Guide the incorporation of advanced data collection tools and methodologies, such as real-time data monitoring and geospatial analysis.
• Quality Assurance: Strengthen the focus on data quality standards and validation processes to ensure high data integrity. 

Data Entry:

• Develop user interfaces that connects mobile data platform to MIS system
• Integrate data pulls from digital data sources, such as android phone data collection applications, into project databases.
• Circulate timely status of data collection updates to county MIS and M&E team to inform effective data abstraction from anchor group registers
• Monitor timeliness of data entry, updated dashboards and data dissemination.

Data Management

• Configure databases to house quantitative program data, survey, evaluation and GIS data.
• Organize and archive GIS, survey, evaluation and routine M&E data accurately and efficiently.
• Monitor data accuracy in the database and work with relevant staff at country level to ensure submission of quality data.
• Manage database server and cloud back-up.
• Manage user login identifications and passwords for all database users across the consortium.
• Manage storage, backup and archival of multiple research and study data sets (raw, flat and analytic datasets) with their corresponding documentation.
• Assure data protection measures are in place and enforced to protect personally identifiable information in line with Mercy Corps and Donor data protection policy.

 Information Production & Reporting

• Build customized user interface/dashboard to facilitate production of information products for use in reporting and adaptive management.
• Ensure data is accessible and exportable, in formats compatible for complex data analyses.
• Build data use portal linked with the database to facilitate automated program indicator reporting and information access.
• Use of technology include Artificial Intelligence to facilitate effective analysis and presentation of information products in use friendly formats.
• Advanced Analytics: Leverage advanced analytics tools, including AI, to generate deeper insights and support decision-making.
• User-Friendly Dashboards: Develop more intuitive and user-friendly dashboards to facilitate better data interpretation and use by various stakeholders.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

• Institutionalize Geographic Information System (GIS) as core component of MIS and support analysis of geo-spatial data analysis and virtualization
• Build capacity of project staff on the use of GPS devices for data collection and analysis using GIS Software.
• Develop GIS information products including maps to be used as part of quarterly/ annual results reporting (ARR). Support roll-out of county government GIS strategy as part of the localization and county government system strengthening approach

Capacity Building

• Train the project and M&E staff on use of technology to facilitate data capture, data entry, and storage
• Provide technical support to staff on database use and interpreting the data based on the data source.
• Capacity building consortium members of data protection policy, MIS system operability and access to information products including dashboards.
• Promote the understanding, interpretation and use of cutting-age M&E technologies such as remote sensing and GIS by demonstrating its capabilities and potential applications to Mercy Corps staff and partner agencies and identifies staff capacity building needs to use the application.
• Training Programs: Develop comprehensive training programs for staff on new tools and technologies, including advanced data analytics and GIS.
• Local Capacity: Strengthen capacity building initiatives targeting local partners and government officials to ensure sustainability and local ownership of data systems.

Technical Support To USAID Nawiri Teams

• Engage teams to provide feedback/learnings on needed improvements to the harmonized/standardized data collection tools/data standards.
• Engage Nawiri teams to gather feedback/learnings on the automated Azure data pipelines/infrastructure.
• Provide support to MEL teams in person and/or remotely to support the use of the consortium's technology tools, with the objective of enabling them to internally troubleshoot issues.
• Generate and share with Nawiri partners regular reports associated with deduplication purposes, data quality management, case management, field team performance, etc.
• Manage CommCare data systems and databases related to indicator compliance and duplicate management.
• Closely document IT/database/development processes associated with Nawiri MEL Plan and Analysis plan, including regular Monitoring and Evaluation procedures as well as automation tools like Microsoft Azure architecture.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Create and maintain a work environment where mutual respect among team members prevails and where the pursuit of individual and collective excellence is valued.
• Promote individual accountability and commitment by clearly and regularly communicating expectations and providing constructive feedback.
• Recruit, guide and supervise permanent MIS staff under hitheyr supervision as well as contracted data entry staff during survey-based data collection.
• Train and inspire the staff under hitheyr supervision, providing them with resources and knowledge so that they can deliver their best performance.
• Ensure that team members comply with the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct and the Principles of Humanitarian Accountability and immediately report to their Supervisor and National Director any cases of fraud or conduct not in accordance with Mercy Corps policies within the program.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team, encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g. Integrity Hotline and other options

REPRESENTATION

• Identify, build and manage trusted partnerships with consortium agencies, local government and other stakeholders.
• Maintain good working relationships with donors and other development organizations and represent Mercy Corps at meetings when necessary.
• Effectively communicate the program's best practices to build Mercy Corps' positive image with development stakeholders.
• Conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO PARTICIPANTS

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

• MIS Coordinator and MIS officers from all consortium partners

Accountability

Reports Directly To:  Monitoring and Evaluation Lead

Works Directly With: Technical Leads & Director of Program Delivery from Turkana and Samburu

Knowledge and Experience

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in GIS, IT, computer science, or a related field (Masters preferred).
• AI Proficiency: Working knowledge of AI tools for data analysis and visualization including building of robust dashboards from Big data.
• Database Management: Extensive experience in database development and management, including relational and spatial databases, with SQL/CommCare literacy.
• GIS and Mapping: Competence with Esri’s ArcGIS Desktop Suite or open-source mapping platforms like QGIS.
• Technical Tools: Familiarity with Microsoft Azure, Open FN, Microsoft Power Bi, and digital data collection tools (e.g., iFormBuilder, Open Data Kit/Ona).
• Data Analysis and Cleaning: Ability to evaluate data, identify errors, conduct data cleaning, and perform descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.
• Training and Collaboration: Experience in facilitating technical training and working with interdisciplinary teams to improve business processes.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task and follow procedures effectively.