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 Technical Support Unit (TSU) is a key part of the Program Department. TSU subject-matter experts help set agency strategy and provide consultation to field offices worldwide โ from assessment and design through project implementation and results measurement, to programme closure.
Mercy Corpsโ youth employment work is at an exciting moment. It currently includes a portfolio of roughly 50 programs globally and is focusing around two technical areas; (a) Market system development (MSD) approaches to youth employment; and (b) engagement with โjobtechโ or digital solutions to employment. For each of these areas, the TSU maintains a โportfolioโ of programs adopting these approaches, which benefit from increased technical assistance, research, and support as part of an internal community of practice.
Purpose / Project Description:
One of the programs in the โMSD4E Portfolioโ โ STEDE, in Ethiopia โ is approaching programme closure (it will close in May 2024). As part of that process, the program team is undertaking an outcome harvesting process, to capture results. The team has also facilitated learning sessions with some stakeholders.
The purpose of this consultancy is to work with the STEDE team to capture and write up learning from the programme, drawing on the learning sessions with stakeholders, the outcome harvesting work that has been done and the STEDE teamโs internal programme data and knowledge.
Three short learning briefs (approx 3 pages) covering the following topics are envisioned:
- STEDE achievements (value, meaning, impacts of STEDE interventions on refugees and host communities - including systemic and less systemic impacts), missed opportunities and lessons learned in financial services
- STEDE achievements (value, meaning, impacts of STEDE interventions on refugees and host communities - including systemic and less systemic impacts), missed opportunities and lessons learned in labour markets
- Lessons learned regarding the potential of using a systemic approach (MSD) in forced displacement contexts, to change systems for the benefit of refugees and host communities
Consultant objectives and activities
The consultant will:
- Capture key lessons for two STEDE priority sectors - financial service and labor markets - as well as lessons regarding the MSD4E approach and its potential use to change systems for refugees and host communities, drawing on the learning sessions hosted with market actors, the STEDE team, program participants, other internal stakeholders, and the outcome harvesting process. This will include travel to Ethiopia to interview key stakeholders.
- Frame lessons in an overarching narrative that articulates key learnings from attempted use of a systems strengthening approach in a refugee context
- Draft three learning briefs
- Incorporate comments and inputs on the drafts, and finalise the learning briefs
Consultant Deliverables:
Three learning briefs on STEDE priority focus areas - financial service, labor markets, and the use of a systems strengthening approach in refugee context.
Timeframe / Schedule:
The consultant shall complete the duties described in this Scope of Work from December 2023 to 1st March 2024.
The Consultant will report to:
Ethiopia Economic Opportunity Technical Lead
The Consultant will work closely with:
TSU Director for Youth Employment, STEDE Team Leader, STEDE team, firm hired by STEDE to conduct outcome harvesting, Ethiopia Deputy Country Director, Ethiopia Country Director,
Required Experience & Skills:
- 5+ years of experience of increasingly proficient management and/or technical support in MSD programming, with at least one job experience in a well-reputed MSD project.
- Technical expertise in MSD4E (Market Systems Development for Employment) or closely related field of expertise
- Experience providing implementation support to MSD for employment programmes is strongly preferred.
- Proven experience assessing markets and working with private sector partners
- Experience of working in Ethiopia preferred
- Strong ability to understand, manage and communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders and complex relationships at multiple levels of the organization.
- Experience of capturing learning for learning briefs, case studies, or research outputs
- Willingness and ability to travel is required
- A proven proactive approach to work and self-driven leadership.
- Fluency in English is required, with strong written and oral communication skills.
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.