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.
Purpose / Project Description:
Mercy Corpsโ organizational strategy, Pathway to Possibility, calls out an organizational commitment to be Evidence Driven that aims to improve programming and influence other actors to scale impactful approaches that have a high potential to be replicated across contexts. Evidence plays a critical role in determining such program approaches, as well as in adapting and refining approaches that are newer and/or more innovative but have potential for scale. With this in mind, Mercy Corps will develop and test a framework for evidence-based identification and documentation of foundational approaches recommended for wider replication through programs and scaling via other actors. This will help Mercy Corps teams strengthen and build out its evidence-based portfolio of scale-ready approaches over time.
This consultancy aims to:
Develop a draft framework for evidence-based identification and documentation of foundational approaches Identify, collect and organize the evidence sources to be considered for applying the framework to up to three foundational approaches related to Mercy Corpsโ Peace and Good Governance OutcomeConsultant Activities:
The Consultant will:
Develop a draft framework for evidence-based identification and documentation of foundational approaches recommended for scaling (approximately 60% of the anticipated LOE). Conduct a literature review of relevant frameworks for evidence-based scaling of technical approaches for international development and humanitarian programming Lead between 10 and 20 consultations with internal Mercy Corps stakeholders and external experts to assess expectations, needs, and overall criteria for a โbest fitโ framework for scaling evidence-based approaches Synthesize findings from both the lit review and consultations into a report and slide deck Lead a remote briefing meeting to share report findings, and receive and incorporate feedback to inform a draft framework Develop a draft framework for scaling evidence-based approaches Present the draft framework to Mercy Corps Through a consultative process, define criteria for the evidence base that would be used to assess up to three foundational approaches under Mercy Corpsโ Peace and Good Governance Outcome area. Then, identify and gather evidence sources and organize them in a coherent โsource document inventoryโ to lay the foundation for future review (approximately 40% of the anticipated LOE). Participate in determining the final selection of one to three foundational approaches, working closely with a technical working group. The shortlist of approaches under consideration at this stage includes: Interest-based negotiation and mediationCommunity mobilization approach (โCATALYSEโ)Social cohesion approach (โCOALESCEโ)Manage process for and finalize detailed definitions of inclusion/exclusion criteria for the evidence sources to be included for the selected Peace and Good Governance approachesCollect source documentation from both external and internal sites that meet the criteria. Develop a short, written summary or slide deck describing the quantity and type of evidence sources ultimately included in the inventory to assist Mercy Corps' subsequent decisions for how best to apply the Framework.Consultant Deliverables:
The consultant will deliver the following:
Timeframe / Schedule:
Overall dates of consultancy: On or around September 25, 2023 through on or around January 30, 2024. The consultancy level of effort for this scope of work is estimated at between 30 and 35 days.
Slide Deck with summary of key findings and recommendations from lit review and consultations (including annexes): On or around October 27, 2023 Draft framework for scaling evidence-based approaches at Mercy Corps: On or around November 9, 2023 Protocol for evidence source inclusion/exclusion criteria for the Peace & Good Governance approaches: On or around December 8, 2023 Inventory of source documents for the Peace and Good Governance approaches: On or around January 17, 2024 Slide Deck and presentation to Mercy Corps internal stakeholders of source document inventory: On or around January 24, 2024The Consultant will report to:
Interim Senior Director โ Research and LearningGlobal Resilience Director or designated leave cover for Evidence-Driven Commitment workstream 3Advisor โ Peace & GovernanceThe Consultant will work closely with:
Mercy Corps staff from the Research & Learning Team; the Program Accountability and Quality Team; the Technical Support Unit, and representatives of program teams working on Peace and Governance.
Required Experience:
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 worldโs 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.