Consultant - Liberia Climate Landscape Assessment - Liberia & Remote

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 — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

The climate crisis is here, and it is disrupting the way communities around the world live, work, and care for each other. For some, these changes are irrevocable. As a global organization looking to meet not just urgent needs but also facilitate communities’ efforts to make lasting change in their lives, we know the climate crisis is already impacting every aspect of what we do. This is why Mercy Corps has outlined an ambitious Climate Smart Commitment, through our new Pathway to Possibility strategy that will ensure our team’s technical approaches and operations are ready for and reflective of the urgency of this crisis. Our mission is to raise awareness, drive tangible changes, foster innovation, and most importantly, empower vulnerable communities. This isn't just a blueprint for action—it's our pledge to a more resilient and sustainable future for all. In essence, our climate-smart commitment outlines the ways our work must change to ensure our programs have the enabling conditions to achieve climate impact.

Purpose / Project Description:

In line with Mercy Corps’ global climate-smart commitment, Mercy Corps Liberia will engage in a strategy realization initiative to develop a robust Liberia Climate Landscape Assessment. The assessment will provide actionable research and learning about how to operationalize and maximize climate smart programming in Liberia, in line with relevant laws and national adaptation plans. With a focus on market-driven approaches, the assessment will identify areas where implementing partners and donors can make scalable and transformative climate investments in Liberia. The assessment will be validated with key stakeholders and presented at a National Summit in June 2024.

Consultant Objectives:

1. Develop the Liberia Climate Landscape Assessment from the desk research, methodology, field research through to a final report. See Annex 1.
2. Validate the Liberia Climate Landscape Assessment with key stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
3. Present the findings at a National Summit in June 2024.

   Consultant Deliverables:

   1. Inception report: including desk research and methodology
   2. Draft Liberia Climate Landscape Assessment Report
   3. Validated Liberia Climate Landscape Assessment
   4. Validation report demonstrating key learning
   5. Presentation at the National Summit in June 2024

      Timeframe / Schedule:

      The consultancy will begin in February 2024 and will end by June 2024. The timeline is not flexible, all deliverables must be executed within this timeframe. An anticipated 80 days of level of effort will be required for this work, including several field visits to Liberia at the start and end of the consultancy.

      📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

      ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

      The Consultant will report to:

      Director of Programs

      The Consultant will work closely with:

      Mercy Corps Technical Support Unit

      Required Experience & Skills:

      • 10+ years of experience in progressive climate change work.
      • Advanced degree in environmental science, climate science, sustainable development, environmental engineering, or a related field. PhD preferred.
      • Familiarity global national and international climate change policies, agreements and regulations is a requirement. Familiarity and/or direct experience with Liberia’s climate change policies, agreements and regulations such as the Liberia National Policy and Response Strategy on Climate Change and the Liberia National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2020 – 2030 is highly desired.
      • Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey complex climate change concepts to a diverse audience, including policymakers, businesses, and the general public.
      • Ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, community leaders, and industry representatives.
      • Project management experience – including the ability to demonstrate previous successes in leading and implementing major climate landscape assessments and/or the development of policies and frameworks related to climate change policy.
      • Strong research skills, including the ability to conduct thorough and comprehensive research on climate smart programming.

        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 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.

        Annex 1: Liberia Climate Landscape Assessment (suggested framework)

        1. Executive Summary:
           1. Brief overview of key findings, recommendations, and the purpose of the assessment.
           2. Introduction:
              1. Background information on the purpose and scope of the climate landscape assessment.
              2. Objectives and goals of the assessment.
              3. Definition of key terms and concepts.
              4. Methodology:
                 1. Detailed description of the research methods and data sources used in the assessment.
                 2. Explanation of any models or tools employed for analysis.
                 3. Climate Change Context:
                    1. Overview of Liberia climate context and global climate change implications.
                    2. Brief synopsis of historical climate data and observed changes.
                    3. Overview of Liberia climate change policies, regulations, adaptation plans, etc.
                    4. Climate Change Impact Assessment:
                       1. Examination of the current and potential future impacts of climate change in Liberia.
                       2. Analysis of risks and vulnerabilities in different sectors (e.g., agriculture, water, infrastructure, economy).
                       3. Analysis of the social and economic consequences of climate change.
                       4. Assessment of potential impacts on communities, livelihoods, and industries.
                       5. Adaptation Strategies:
                          1. Identification and evaluation of gaps in implementing sound adaptation measures.
                          2. Recommendations for building resilience in different sectors.
                          3. Stakeholder Engagement:
                             1. Overview of stakeholder engagement processes.
                             2. Summary of key input and feedback from stakeholders.
                             3. Ethical Considerations:
                                1. Discussion of ethical considerations related to the assessment.
                                2. Consideration of social justice implications and equity in climate action.
                                3. Policy and Regulatory Landscape:
                                   1. Overview of existing climate policies and regulations at various levels (local, regional, national, international).
                                   2. Analysis of gaps and opportunities for policy development.
                                   3. Conclusion:
                                      1. Summary of key findings.
                                      2. Detailed recommendations for actions to address identified challenges.
                                      3. Prioritization of recommendations based on urgency and impact.
                                      4. Appendices:
                                         1. Additional data, charts, maps, or technical details that support the main body of the assessment.
                                         2. Any supplementary information deemed relevant.