Description
Background: Mercy Corps Yemenโs Fresh Horizon program has created a research strategy to generate meaningful evidence and actionable learning around Fresh Horizon IIโs support for cold chain interventions in Yemenโs fisheries sector, with an emphasis on alternative financing.] As part of the inception phase, this research will balance evaluating the initial impacts of the program with value for money -analysis and operational and contextual learning to inform the subsequent scale-up. In line with learnings from the first phase, it will draw on quantitative data to assess generalizable changes for households such as increased income, access to finance and markets, etc. , paired with qualitative data to understand market actorsโ perspectives, system dynamics which can enable or hinder scale-up, and suitability for vulnerable participants including women and those on humanitarian aid.
To achieve this, the program will use a consultant researcher to support the creation and implementation of the research strategy.
Research focus:
Project outcomes and outputs, as well as initial research topics, are detailed below. These are demonstrative, and will be further refined during the design stage of the research.
Project Outcome: Fisher folks and small fish traders increase their income to improve food security in the longer term and support the transition of vulnerable communities to economic resilience[NB4] .
Output 1: Vulnerable men, women and youth involved in fish markets have access to expanded business opportunities, including through investments in cold chain equipment
Research topics: Enablers and barriers for inclusive livelihoods in the fishery sector, including how cooperatives and private sector partners can support sustainable and inclusive livelihoods for those in the fishery sector.
Output 2: Cold chain equipment suppliers adapt their offers to the needs of small businesses and vulnerable fishing households
Research topics: Enablers and barriers which influence cold chain providers in their engagement with marginalized groups, and indicators of current and future engagement.
Value for Money Analysis
Within Phase II of Fresh Horizons, Value for Money analysis is expected to focus on sustainability and inclusion, with support from Mercy Corps technical staff.
Cost-effectiveness calculations will not be included , as more quantifiable outcomes like revenue and income can be slow-changing targets, and any change seen during the period may not be indicative of results achievable over a full implementation lifespan or afterwards. However, Phase IIโs Value for Money analysis will help prepare the subsequent phase for a more extensive follow-on.
Key responsibilities: To achieve this, the consultant will conduct the following tasks:
Design stage (7 days, complete by August 22nd, 2025
Work with MC Yemen and Fresh Horizons team, with support from regional and global staff, to revise research questions and methods
Conduct evidence scan of fishery value chain interventions (specifically around financial inclusion and private sector engagement)conducted in Yemen and similar contexts, focused on potential empirical questions to be tested as part of Phase II
Create design report which presents final research questions, detailed analytical questions, data collection plan (with support from Fresh Horizons team), and workplan
Deliverable: design report and workplan, not to exceed 5 pages total
Data collection (8 days, complete by January 31st, 2026)
Development of data collection instruments, in close partnership with Fresh Horizons team
Remote training of enumerators (or training of trainers)
Remote support to data collection team (Fresh Horizons MEL team and any enumerators hired by the project)
Analysis and reporting (10 days) (complete by March 15th, 2026)
Initial analysis, according to agreed upon methods
Presentation of results to team for initial feedback
Deliverable: slide deck or other form of presentation
Draft report, incorporating adjustments based on teamsโ feedback
Deliverable: draft report, or other reporting format agreed upon with team (blog, slide deck, etc.), not to exceed 10 ages
Final report
Deliverable: final report (or other format agreed upon with team), not to exceed 10 pages, with copy-editing and graphic design support from Fresh Horizons team
Reports โ PM Fresh Horizon Project
Work closely with: FH project team, MEAL team, Regional MEAL team and Research team
Total LOE: 25 days
Team Engagement and Effectiveness
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.
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.