Mercy Corps
**Application deadline: 28 October 2022
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.
This consultancy is funded through the Resilience Evaluation, Analysis and Learning (REAL) Award, a consortium-led effort funded by the USAID Center for Resilience. It was established to respond to the growing demand among USAID missions, host governments, implementing organizations, and other key stakeholders for rigorous yet practical monitoring, evaluation, strategic analysis, and capacity building support related to resilience. REAL consists of a consortium of Save the Children, Mercy Corps, and TANGO International.
Purpose / Project Description:
Mercy Corps has begun a literature review on climate change adaptation measurement aimed at identifying key approaches and lessons learned on outcome/impact level adaptation measurement that can inform USAID’s approach going forward. The review includes an examination of approaches to measure the impact of adaptation over longer time frames and dynamic contexts (including modeling efforts), and will draw a set of ‘design principles’ that could be used to adjust, improve and/or expand adaptation monitoring and evaluation going forward. The initial consultant contracted for this project was unable to complete the review, and after a hiatus, Mercy Corps and USAID are revisiting this activity to complete it in early 2023.
Consultant Objectives:
Climate adaptation measurement literature review
Mercy Corps has begun a literature review of key climate adaptation measurement approaches, highlighting the diversity of approaches, the most commonly used, and strengths and limitations of common approaches. The review will include an examination of approaches and modeling efforts to measure the impact of adaptation over longer time frames and dynamic contexts. The literature review will further identify opportunities to adjust, improve and/or expand USAID and implementing partner adaptation measurement going forward.
Consultant Activities and Estimated Level of Effort:
The Consultant will:
- Conduct a literature review on climate adaptation measurement approaches for USAID funded REAL 2 award by:
- Review of existing reference library, handover presentation, and activity concept note (up to 3 days)
- Scoping & inception meetings with key USAID stakeholders, Mercy Corps’ Director for Resilience Research, Director for Energy, Environment and Climate, and the Sr. Climate Adviser (up to 2 days)
- Develop and obtain Mercy Corps and USAID approval on deliverable outline and timeline for activity (up to 5 days, to be completed by 30 November )
- cDraft literature review (up to 15 days, to be completed by 28 February)
- Consultation with select climate change adaptation experts within USAID (potentially other external experts as needed) on draft product (up to 5 days, to be completed by 31 March)
- Revise literature review based on stakeholder feedback (up to 5 days, to be completed by 30 April)
- Finalize and disseminate literature review (up to 5 days, to be completed by 31 May)
Key Consultant Deliverables:
- General
- Bi-weekly updates to key internal Mercy Corps stakeholders
- For USAID
- Final draft of climate adaptation literature review
- Externally-facing presentation(s) on climate adaptation literature review
- External dissemination activities
Required Experience & Skills:
- Master’s degree international development, environmental science, or other relevant field (PhD preferred)
- 5 to 7 years relevant experience conducting independent research, analysis and publishing on climate related topics with a focus on low income conflict-affected or fragile countries. .
- Experience with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and experience applying them in a development or humanitarian context. (experience with the use of GIS in research is preferred)
- Extremely strong writing skills, including past experience publishing.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate to multiple audiences, including policy makers, practitioners and academics.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to effectively gather and summarize large amounts of information from various sources.
- Demonstrated sensitivity, skill and experience in working diplomatically and effectively within diverse cultural settings and in public relations and correspondence with a wide variety of public constituents.
- Strong networks, relationships, and profile with major external actors, including policy and academic audiences
Level of Effort / Timeframe
Up to 40 days starting 31 October 2022 and ending 31 May 2023, with the option of extending
The Consultant will report to:
Sr. Climate Adviser
The Consultant will work closely with:
Director, Research and Learning for Resilience Director, Energy, Environment, and Climate Technical Support Unit
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.
How to apply
To apply: http://app.jobvite.com/m?3taPDmwW
*Closing date: 29-Oct-22