Consultant for Wellbeing Framework Development

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization that operates in over 40 countries, dedicated to the belief that a better world is possible. Established with a mission to help people triumph over adversity, Mercy Corps has been actively working to address gender inequality and social exclusion within its organization and programs for the past decade. The organization focuses on empowering communities through innovative solutions, particularly in the areas of economic opportunities, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and peace governance. With a commitment to adolescent and youth programming, Mercy Corps emphasizes the importance of wellbeing as a critical component for enabling young people to learn, build skills, and participate fully in their communities.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Wellbeing Framework Development will play a pivotal role in establishing an evidence-based, youth-informed definition of wellbeing and a comprehensive wellbeing framework to guide Mercy Corps' adolescent and youth programs. This position requires synthesizing internal and external evidence on wellbeing programming, conducting participatory consultations with young people, and developing a framework that includes outcome indicators and program activities supported by evidence. The consultant will be responsible for creating a unified conceptualization of wellbeing that reflects the diverse experiences and needs of marginalized populations, including girls, refugees, and rural youth. The role will involve extensive literature reviews, youth participation processes, and the drafting of a wellbeing definition and framework that is context-responsive and intersectional.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will conduct a structured literature review and evidence synthesis of Mercy Corps youth programs relevant to wellbeing, including analyzing outcome indicators and program evaluations. They will implement youth participation processes to define youth wellbeing, engaging diverse adolescents and youth through online participatory activities. The consultant will draft a definition of wellbeing based on literature and youth insights, develop a wellbeing framework that illustrates how program components contribute to wellbeing outcomes, and create a mapping of program activities to wellbeing dimensions. Additionally, the consultant will present draft materials in validation sessions with Mercy Corps staff and incorporate feedback to finalize the framework and deliverables. The expected deliverables include a literature review summary report, youth participation workshop materials, a youth participation report, and a wellbeing definition and results framework.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong technical knowledge and practical experience in adolescent and youth development programs within humanitarian and development contexts. A background in fields related to adolescent and youth development, such as education, international development, human rights, or gender studies, is essential. Expertise in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including the development of measurement tools and results frameworks, is required. Proven experience in conducting participatory research activities with young people and excellent writing and communication skills are also necessary. Experience working in low and lower-middle income contexts, as well as in development and humanitarian settings, is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
A relevant educational background in fields such as education, international development, human rights, gender studies, or similar disciplines is required for this position. Candidates should have qualifications that demonstrate their understanding of adolescent and youth development principles and practices.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of five years of experience in similar assignments, particularly in adolescent and youth development programs. Experience in conducting participatory research activities with young people is crucial, as is a proven track record in developing programming and measurement tools.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while working proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Arabic is desirable. This linguistic capability will enhance communication with diverse youth participants and stakeholders involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to span a total of 25 working days, with specific activities allocated across the timeframe from February to April 202

• The consultant will report to the Senior Advisor for Adolescent and Youth Development and will collaborate closely with various teams within Mercy Corps. The organization is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and adheres to equal employment opportunity principles. Additionally, Mercy Corps emphasizes safeguarding and ethics, ensuring that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.