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.
Given the environments in which Mercy Corps works, which include some of the most challenging contexts around the globe, security incidents are unfortunately an expected occurrence. Incident and crisis management procedures are therefore a critical organizational resource. Mercy Corps is seeking to review and update its existing procedures in this area, to ensure they are fit for purpose, reflective of the industryโs current best practice and account for recent changes in organizational structure.
Purpose / Project Description:
Mercy Corps incident and crisis management procedures are due for review as part of their regular update cycle. In addition, significant changes have recently taken place within Mercy Corps, leading to a radically different organizational structure. There is therefore a need to review and update these critical procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose. The end goal will be the creation of modernized, forward-looking and flexible incident and crisis management procedures, which reflect changes in best practice in recent years and are tailored to Mercy Corpsโ specific needs and approach across all levels of the organization.
Mercy Corps is seeking an external consultant to support this body of work both to assist with the substantial scale of the project planned, and to provide independent third-party advice and review.
Consultant Objectives:
Working closely with project leads from the Global Security and Emergency Response Teams, the consultant will support with
A detailed review of existing crisis management processes and a selection of previous incidents.
Engagement with key organizational stakeholders to identify their needs regarding incident management.
Support with drafting of updated incident and crisis management procedures, including associated annexes, templates, tools and supporting documents.
Consultant Activities:
The Consultant will:
Conduct a review of existing Mercy Corps Incident Management Team (IMT) and Crisis Management Team (CMT) procedures, structure, supporting documentation and policies
Review a representative selection of previous incident and crisis after action reviews
Help design and lead stakeholder engagement sessions including workshops or participate in 1-2-1s with key staff to gather feedback on existing Mercy Corps practice
Draft new, unified guidelines for incident management structures and procedures for Mercy Corps at country, regional and global levels, or where more appropriate review, edit and amend exiting documents
Draft supporting documents, templates, tools and annexes, or where applicable review and amend existing templates
Where suitable, assess alignment with relevant ISO standards
Consultant Deliverables:
The Consultant will:
Deliver and draft an updated incident reporting procedure
Deliver and draft a decision framework for categorizing and defining an incident/crisis based on type, severity, and level of management support required
Deliver and draft fully updated incident and crisis management procedures, suitable to support an incident at country, regional or global levels
Deliver and draft associated crisis and incident management annexes (including procedures/checklists/tools/templates for immediate actions on Kidnap/Detention, Missing Person, Medical Evacuation, Repatriation of Mortal Remains, Natural Disaster, Conflict, Disease Outbreak, Sexual Assault, Family Liaison)
Deliver and draft supporting generic crisis and incident management templates (Incident and Actions Log, CMT Agenda and Minutes, Situation Report)
With the agreement of Mercy Corps, certain documents and procedures from the above list which already exist may be carried over or subject to only minor revisions following review by the consultant and Mercy Corps. Drafted documents should also account for and reference existing relevant procedures from associated business functions including Media/Comms, Safeguarding, Ethics and IT.
Timeframe / Schedule:
The assignment is expected to commence in January 2026, with the consultantโs inputs completed by June 2026. The total level of effort will not exceed 30 consultancy days, spread across this period.
The Consultant will report to:
Deputy Director โ Global Security
The Consultant will work closely with:
Representatives from key business functions involved in incident and crisis management, including Global Security, Emergency Response, Media and Comms, Legal, Safeguarding and Ethics departments as well as country, regional and global leadership.
Required Experience & Skills:
10+ years in international security and crisis management, including a minimum of 5 years supporting humanitarian/development agencies.
Proven experience of security and crisis management consulting for a spectrum of INGO clients
Understanding of the operating model and functions of a humanitarian agency
Strategic understanding of the environments in which Mercy Corps operates, and typical incidents and risks faced as a result
Experience of designing incident and crisis management procedures for a large, global organization
Familiarity with existing standards and industry best practice on crisis management/business continuity
Able to work with other related business functions, e.g. Media, Legal, Safeguarding to overcome department compartmentalization and ensure finished work is relevant across the organization
Ability to handle sensitive and highly confidential subject matter with discretion
Flexible, creative and problem-solving mindset
Able to produce high quality, tightly drafted written material
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 is committed to ensuring that all individuals we encounter through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.