Description
Project/Consultancy Title: Researcher Author(s) - Resilience and Adaptation
Project Location(s): Flexible location base - with potential travel
Timeline: October 2005-31 March 2026
Close of application: Please submit application by October 7th
Please note this consultancy is contingent on the confirmation of funding
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.
Purpose / Project Description:
Mercy Corps is recruiting one or more Researcher/Author for an FCDO funded, Resilience and Adaptation Fund Learning Facility (RAFLF).
The RAFLF will curate, compile and develop evidence and learning both to support and inform current Resilience and Adaptation Fund programmes and make the case for and inform future investment in resilience and adaptation programming. The Facility will produce four focused evidence reports on critical aspects of resilience programming, drawing on existing research and case studies from resilience/adaptation programmes. To ensure relevance and usability, findings will be tested and refined through three participatory โsense-makingโ workshops with FCDO, partners, and local stakeholders.
The evidence will also be used to build support and expertise for resilience across a wider range of donors and stakeholders, including national authorities, international donors, and development finance institutions.
The proposed themes for the reports are:
Cash and market-based responses to build resilience in fragile or conflict affected settings (FCAS) where conflict risks and climate intersect Land and natural resource governance to increase household resilience Getting finance to actors and affected populations who need it most:Integrating a โsystems changeโ element into programmes and approaches
Mercy Corps is seeking 1 or more (to max 3) researchers to work with Mercy Corps technical leads and programme teams to deliver these reports by 31 March 2026.
Consultant Objectives:
Work with Mercy Corps and FCDO teams and other stakeholders to understand evidence needs/gaps and refine critical research questions for implementing organisations, FCDO leads, critical national stakeholders and a range of international donors/DFIs.Produce timely, relevant and action-oriented research products to address those needs.
Consultant Activities:
The Consultant will:
Refine research questions: Through focus groups and KIIs, with Mercy Corps and FCDO, define critical evidence gaps and needs in order to refine planned research products and outputsPlan: Work with Mercy Corps project lead and Project Manager to agree timelines and detailed workplanDraft: Conduct literature reviews and other desk based research and carry out or commission relevant case studiesSensemaking/input: Provide initial drafts/findings to key stakeholders in three โsense-making workshopsโ to understand the implications and further develop recommendations. Finalise: Produce final reports, with input and sign off from Mercy Corps technical leads.Present: As required, present research and findings at stakeholder engagement or advocacy events.
Consultant Deliverables:
The Consultant will:
Timeframe / Schedule:
The table below presents the draft timeline. Dates and will be updated based on actual start-date and work-planning.
Activities
Dates
Kick-off meeting, refine research questions, workplan
15-31 October
Literature review and gathering of case studies and other evidence
1 November โ 31 December
Develop/Submit initial findings/drafts
15 January
Sense making roundtables
15 January โ 15 Feb
Reports submitted to Mercy Corps for review
28 Feb
Revisions and โfinalโ report
15 March
Participate in final dissemination
March 2026
The Consultant(s) will report to:
Selena Victor, Senior Director Policy & Advocacy
The Consultant(s) will work closely with:
Olga Petryniak, Senior Director, Resilience
Jon Kurtz, Senior Director Research & Evidence
Project Manager (TBC)
Required and Desired Skills:
Ph.D in Development Economics, other relevant discipline with minimum 5 years applied research experience or a Masterโs degree with over 10 years of research, evaluation, or analysis experience in international humanitarian and development programs. Experience conducting independent research, analysis and publishing on climate change, conflict, or related topics in fragile contexts. Knowledge of the rigorous and innovative methods in the field of applied research and impact evaluation of humanitarian and development programs, with a focus on economic development and recovery issues Excellent leadership, management and team building skills that include the ability to mentor and coach peers within the team and across teams Excellent analytical skills that include both an attention to detail and an ability to grasp complex theories and conceptual frameworks Demonstrated representation and communication skills, including demonstrated ability to convey research findings and their implications to multiple audiences, including senior policy makers, practitioners and academics Strong networks, relationships, and profile with major external actors, including policy and academic audiences Intimate understanding of major policy issues, program theories, and academic discourse on economic development and recovery approaches in fragile contextsWillingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites, including traveling to insecure environments, is required