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 โ helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Mercy Corpsโ Middle East, North Africa, and Europe (MENA-E) team continues to respond to humanitarian and development needs across Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Yemen, and Ukraine by forging meaningful and trusted partnerships and designing impactful programming. In line with Mercy Corpsโ Global Strategy Review, the MENA-E Regional Team is in the process of kick-starting our locally-led vision in MENA-E region through an evidence-based partnership approach with the establishment of a pool of local research partners across our countries of operations to support our new business, implementation and evidence generation work. Project/Consultancy Description The purpose of this consultancy is to support a comprehensive identification and mapping (via meetings, capacity analysis) of 20 local research partners (academics, research firms, think tanks etc.) in our 7 countries (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine Syria, Ukraine, Yemen), with the likelihood to include the 3 prospective countries (Moldova, Turkey and Egypt). Research partners will ideally have a focus on climate, water security, food security, economic opportunity, and peace and good governance in alignment with the outcome areas of Mercy Corpsโ global strategy. This will allow for the development of a pool of pre-identified strong local research partners in our region. We will aim at setting up an MoU with at least 5 local research partners, to support our commitment to collaborating with them in the future. We also aim at collaborating with one of the shortlisted/selected potential partners to identify and develop a specific research idea that aligns with both partiesโ goals for future implementation. Consultant Objectives The Consultantโs overall objective is to conduct partners mapping for potential local partners where MC operates in the MENA-E region, and to conduct capacity assessments for the shortlisted pool of partners to support our new business, program implementation, and evidence generation work. Mercy Corps will expect, at a minimum, the following requirements to be met: Target:
- Mapping of 20 Local Research Partners (to be mapped out with capacity analysis, this may include, but not limited to, CSO, Academic Institutions, think tanks, NGOs, CBOs)
- Signing of at least 5 MoUs for future engagement
- Engagement of at least 1 in the Phase II Research project Sector: Four Pathway to Possibility (P2P) outcome areas (Economic Opportunities, Food Security, Water Security, Peace and Good Governance) as well as Climate, Energy, Water Governance, and Markets Location: MENA-E Region (7 countries) plus the prospective countries Egypt, Moldova, and Turkey Consultancy Activities The consultant should engage in activities as
- Signing of at least 5 MoUs for future engagement