Description

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

The Research & Learning Team (RLT) is committed to producing rigorous evidence about the impact of Mercy Corps activities. To this end, the RLT is partner to the Gates funded “GeoField” (Geospatial and Earth Observation for Impact Evaluation, Learning, and Development) award, led by AidData at William & Mary. The project includes impact evaluation case studies, new datasets, methods and code, the development of Communities of Practice, scientific papers, policy briefs, online tutorials and in-person trainings. GeoField will address the barriers to broader use and accelerate the existing efforts around Earth Observation (EO) for impact evaluations. EO encompasses remote-sensing technologies like images and data from satellites, airborne platforms like drones, as well as ground-based collection tools.

Purpose / Project Description:

In this senior advisor capacity, the consultant will collaborate with the Research & Learning team on the GeoField award supporting analytical activities associated with the Mercy Corps impact evaluation case study, development of tools for practitioners to better design, plan and budget for EO-based impact evaluations, and scope potential additional impact evaluation case studies.

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will serve as a senior technical advisor working closely with Mercy Corps’ Research & Learning team on the following activities:

1. 1. Technical Advising and Analytical Support: Technical support in three key areas:
      1. technical support to the MRED impact evaluation case study, liaising between Mercy Corps and AidData, supporting analysis of EO data for impact evaluation models.
      2. support to Senior Advisor – Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Technology on the production of tools for program design, monitoring and evaluation, and management of EO-based IEs
      3. scoping of new potential impact evaluation case studies to identify new opportunities, support initial evaluation concept and design, work with program teams to clarify roles and responsibilities, coordinate with AidData on design/implementation

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:

• Analytical outputs and raw and analytical data sets for MRED impact evaluation case study
• Input, review and feedback on to-be-determined Earth Observation (EO) planning and MEL tools for EO-based Impact Evaluations (IEs) for implementing partners
• Use case concept note (as needed) for new potential impact evaluation use cases

Timeframe / Schedule:

This consultancy is for maximum 48 days total. All deliverables must be completed by April 30, 2024, with an expectation that the consultant and Mercy Corps will arrange an agreed upon regular weekly schedule of working hours, with flexibility to surge as needed to complete time-sensitive deliverables. A detailed workplan will be developed with the consultant which will include key milestones and associated dates.

The Consultant will report to:

• Director of Research & Learning, Resilience

The Consultant will work closely with:

• Advisor MEL Technology
• Technical Support Unit teams for Resilience and Environment/Climate

Required Experience & Skills:

Concurrent Engagement:

• Application to Mercy Corps’ Consultant – Disaster Risk Management and Resilience – Remote with travel and ability to perform concurrent engagement.

Experience:

• Master or Bachelor in Development, Disaster/Climate Change, Water Resource Management
• 5 years minimum experience in program design and management of programs focused on resilience building, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation.
• In addition to a very good understanding of the resilience framework and its application in different contexts and in relation to different sectoral development outcomes (e.g. food security, water security, economic opportunity, peace), the consultant needs to have demonstrated technical experience with program design and implementation of components related to:
  • Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Change Adaptation
  • Early Warning Systems, Use of Climate Information, and Anticipatory Action
  • Practical applications of GIS and Remote Sensing in problem analysis and program evaluation
• Proposal development experience in relevant technical areas (design and writing)
• Strong analytical skills to analyze cross sectoral/thematic linkages to design program approaches/strategies within a resilience framework
• Good skills and experience documenting program examples and technical approaches in Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation
• Ability to facilitate successful remote collaborations with multicultural teams and strong coordination/communication skills

To Apply

Applicants should submit their CV and Cover Letter detailing their related experience. Applicants must also apply to Consultant – Disaster Risk Management and Resilience – Remote with travel. Applicants must apply to both postings to be considered.

Evaluation Criteria

• Required relevant experience will be evaluated with a weighting of 75%
• Cost by Daily Rate x Maximum Days (48) will be evaluated with a weighting of 25%

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging 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.