Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
The Department
Mercy Corps alleviates poverty, suffering, and oppression and works to build secure, productive, and just communities in over 40 countries around the world. Our Program Department supports field-led work that delivers measurable impact.
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 โ from assessment and design through project implementation and results measurement โ to field offices worldwide, in some of the worldโs toughest places. TSU team members lead research, foster organizational learning, represent Mercy Corps to external audiences, and develop partnerships. The TSU is also integral to global business development and revenue.
The Position
In 2022, Mercy Corps completed its new 2030 Global Strategy. The new strategy elevates Water Security to one of four key outcome areas for the agency, along with Food Security, Economic Opportunity, and Peace and Governance. This new focus combines Mercy Corpsโ historical strengths in emergency WASH programming, with a desire to further build upon our impact in water resource management, productive water, and market-based water supply and sanitation service provision as part of the agency wide mission to build resilient and inclusive communities. In close collaboration with the Water Security Director, Senior WASH Advisors, country and regional teams, and other TSU members, the Senior Water Security Advisor is responsible for executing and further shaping the water security strategy.
As a Senior Water Security Advisor, you will play a crucial role in designing, implementing, and evaluating innovative global projects and programs aimed at strengthening water security in diverse contexts worldwide. You will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to develop integrated water resources management approaches, promote water demand management, and strengthen water resources and water supply governance systems.
The Water Security Advisor will be responsible for helping country and program teams design and conduct assessments, analyze their water security issues, and identifying opportunities and solutions for intervention. Initial efforts will focus on helping country teams develop and operationalize water security strategies and build their portfolio of water security programming. This will involve supporting the development of country- or region- specific water security approaches, proposals, concept notes, donor engagement, producing influence-oriented research and writing products, and leading knowledge and capacity strengthening initiatives. You will provide technical expertise and guidance to project teams, partners, and program participants on various aspects of water security, including water resource planning, water use efficiency, watershed management, market-based water supply and sanitation service delivery, private sector engagement, and water infrastructure governance and sustainable financing. Additionally, you will actively contribute to policy development and advocacy initiatives related to water security at global, regional, and national levels.
Success in this role will require a deep understanding of global water security challenges, along with proven experience in facilitation of global water security program design and implementation. The successful candidate will possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent communication and facilitation abilities. The ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, from government agencies to local communities, will be crucial. Moreover, the Senior Water Security Advisor should demonstrate a commitment to promoting gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability in all water security interventions.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and collaborative team dedicated to making a tangible impact on global water security. The position offers the chance to work on complex and multifaceted projects, contribute to knowledge sharing and capacity building, and shape policies and interventions that positively impact the lives of vulnerable people and communities worldwide. If you are passionate about water security and possess the required expertise, we invite you to apply and become part of our mission to create a more secure and sustainable water future.
Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAM AND PROPOSAL DESIGN
- Support the design and development of water security programs and projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and strategies, donor requirements, and best practices.
- Lead the design of country level strategy processes to build a vision for teams seeking to grow their water security program portfolio.
- Support country and project teams in designing and conducting thorough needs assessments and analysis to identify priority areas for intervention and develop evidence-based program strategies.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design innovative and context-specific approaches that address water security challenges, considering social, economic, and environmental dimensions.
- Ensure integration of gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability principles into program design and implementation.
- Lead and contribute to the development of high-quality proposals, including providing technical inputs, conducting research, and drafting program narratives and budgets.
- Contribute to agency-wide initiatives such as the research agenda around water security.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
- Identify capacity development needs of regional- and country-level partners and project teams. Develop appropriate training materials and capacity building plans.
- Conduct capacity assessments, facilitate training workshops, and provide technical mentoring and coaching to enhance the knowledge and skills of Mercy Corps staff and partners in water security.
- Lead the development of water security-related tools and guidance notes to help better enable country teams to grow their water security portfolios and engage with donors and potential partners.
- Promote learning and knowledge sharing among project teams and partners, documenting and disseminating best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches.
- Support the development and implementation of knowledge management systems to ensure the effective capture, organization, and sharing of water security-related knowledge and experiences.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the organization and among project teams.
ADVOCAY AND INFLUENCE
- Contribute to the development and implementation of advocacy strategies and campaigns to raise awareness and mobilize support for water security issues at global, regional, and national levels.
- Engage with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, national and international level coordination bodies, and research institutions, to promote policy changes and influence decision-making processes related to water security.
- Represent the organization at conferences, workshops, and other events, sharing knowledge and expertise on water security topics.
- Build strategic partnerships and networks to leverage resources and enhance the organization's influence in the water security sector.
- Stay updated on emerging trends, research, and policy developments related to water security and integrate them into advocacy efforts.
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
- Support the implementation of water security programs and projects, ensuring technical quality and strong program performance.
- Provide technical guidance and support to project teams, partners, and partner communities on water security-related issues, including integrated water resources management, water use efficiency, watershed management, productive water, and market-based water and sanitation services delivery.
- Facilitate regular coordination and communication among country and project stakeholders, fostering collaboration and shared learning.
- Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team and the field to ensure that monitoring and evaluation is practical and reflects best practices.
- Support the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure impact and drive adaptative learning and management.
- Take leadership in identifying and addressing program quality needs. Collaborate with field leaders to problem solve.
- Help set approaches, strategies and execute plans to address agency-wide program quality needs together with the Director.
Supervisory Responsibility
The position has supervisory responsibility over interns and/or volunteers.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Water Security Director.
Works Directly With: Water Security, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WSSH) team, all other TSU teams, HQ, and field teams.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills
MUST-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in economics, business, environmental economics, environmental management, water resources management, hydrology, environmental engineering, or a related field.
- At least 5 years of progressive experience in water security that includes:
- Designing, implementing, and/or evaluating water security programs and projects.
- Preparing writing and analysis for proposal development.
- Producing and publishing influential articles and blogs.
- Leading all aspects of large and complex proposals and managing integrated proposal teams.
- Demonstrating strong theoretical and applied knowledge of the field of expertise.
- Using integrated approaches and applying systems thinking.
- Strong business development experience and track record with major donors, such as USAID, FCDO, EC, BHA, ECHO, among others.
- In-depth understanding of global water security challenges and relevant frameworks, policies, and guidelines related to water security, such as the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, and the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management.
- Strong technical knowledge and practical experience in integrated water resources management.
- Practical field experience in diverse geographic settings, typically over the course of 2 years, that includes:
- A combination of successful temporary duration field assignments (under two weeks), longer-term field assignments (two or more weeks), and/or living in a field location for an extended period to work in a country or field office.
- Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating water security programs and projects.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and facilitation skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in economics, business, water resources management, hydrology, environmental engineering, or a related field.
- Strong business development experience and track record with non-traditional donors, such as foundations or corporations.
- Experience conducting emergency response assignments or other crisis response work that demonstrates the ability to successfully adapt support and assistance methodologies to real-world complexities.
- Managing and implementing successful programs in the field.
- Delivering capacity building curriculum or other processes for field teams
- Working-level proficiency in French, Arabic, Spanish, or other relevant language.
- Experience working with government agencies, NGOs, community groups, and private sector partners.
- Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies.
- Understanding of social inclusion, gender equality, and environmental sustainability principles in water security programming.
Success Factors
The successful candidate with be able to demonstrate ability to think strategically and translate ideas into practical actions. They will possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in multicultural teams and across various organizational levels. The candidate will have a level of emotional intelligence that quickly builds and maintains productive relationships across teams. They will have a proven ability to influence donors, partners, and peer organizations toward innovative programs and best practices. They will be comfortable adapting and have resilience to working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
To be successful the candidate will be results-orientated with a commitment to delivering high quality work within established timelines. Moreover, they will have excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with a keen attention to detail and be able to conduct themselves with integrity, professionalism, and a strong commitment to the organization's mission and values. Lastly, they will have commitment to promoting gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability in water security programming.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This position has locations in Washington, D.C.; Bogota, Colombia, Netherlands; and London/Edinburgh, UK. The position requires travel from 20-30% time to the field where living conditions may be exceptionally rugged or be in volatile environments where security protocols will need to be strictly followed. Team members must be ready to deploy to field environments on short notice in response to any emergency or crisis. When in the field the team member must able to work in remote settings, over weekends and/or evening as required by the schedule, and in settings with limited infrastructure, food options, and living conditions.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.
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
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
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 is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with 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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.
As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.
Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.
Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees