Consultant - Market Systems Development Senior Consultancy - Remote

Description

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation 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. Now, and for the future.

Purpose / Project Description:

Mercy Corps implements a variety of programming throughout the Middle East in response to the diverse humanitarian and long-term development needs of the region. Mercy Corps has ongoing programs in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. Mercy Corps is committed to delivering high quality, high impact programming that reaches communities or individuals in need, wherever they are.

Consultant Objectives:

• Provide strategic advice and mentorship to Market Systems Advisor Consultant(s)
• Advise and input on regional and country strategy documents and research and learning pieces

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will conduct the following activities:

• Support the development of a regional economic opportunities strategy that integrates MSD
• Support regional leadership initiatives to promote MSD at the regional level, potentially including convening conversations with regional and country leaders on key barriers and advising leaders on processes to improve and enable MSD implementation in the region
• Serve as focal point for MSD technical support in the ME. Support the Middle East MSD Advisor and market systems TSU team to provide technical support, training, and advice to country programmes with plans to implement MSD activities in their portfolio.
• Contribute with the country and regional teams to the newly developed Middle East Research Agenda that will incorporate learnings and adaptations from country programs.
• Lead the development of 1-2 thought pieces related to MC’s distinctives in MSD

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will develop the following deliverables.

• Documented inputs on regional economic opportunities strategy
• Meeting notes, recommendations, and any other key documents supporting regional strategies for improving MSD implementation
• Recommendations for assessments, intervention designs, and knowledge capture.
• Documented inputs and contributions to the Middle East Research Agenda.
• Completed thought pieces

Timeframe / Schedule:

Estimated LOE is 18 days between February - August 2024

The Consultant will report to:

Regional Technical Director and Director, Market Systems

The Consultant will work closely with: Deputy Regional Director, Regional Technical team, Regional PaQ team, Country Directors, Director of Programs, Program Managers, Global Economic Opportunity Teams

Required Experience & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Formal training in Market Systems Development or M4P preferred.
• 5 to 7 years of experience providing increasingly proficient technical support in the relevant field of expertise that includes:
• Preparing writing and analysis on proposal development.
• Demonstrating strong theoretical and applied knowledge of the field of expertise.
• Using integrated approaches and applying systems thinking.

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in Market Systems Development technical work -including experience with program design, partnership building, technical advising, and/or learning and research.

• Practical field experience, typically over the course of 2 years, that includes:

• A combination of successful temporary duration field assignments (under two weeks), longer-term field assignments (two or more weeks), and/or living in a field location for an extended period to work in a country or field office.
• Managing and implementing successful MSD programs
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations, including travelling to insecure environments, is required

• Familiarity with major donors such as USAID, DFID, the EC and relevant foundations and corporations.

• Experience working in the Middle East required. Experience working in fragile contexts and humanitarian settings preferred.

• Strong writing skills required.
• Strong presentation and representation skills required.
• Fluency in English is required

TO APPLY

In order to be considered, this application requires the candidate to apply to all three (3) related consultant postings titled:

1. Consultant – Market Systems Development Senior Consultancy – Remote (this posting)
2. Consultant – Market Systems Development Senior Consultancy: PERMA - Remote
3. Consultant – Market Systems Development Senior Consultancy: IQLAA – Remote with travel to Amman

Applicants must please submit the following to each related posting:

• CV
• A cover letter that addresses your experience directly related to elements detailed in the Scope of Work including the Required Experience and Skills section

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organisation 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.