Consultant for Regional Learning Initiative

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to respond to disasters and hardships, Mercy Corps operates in more than 40 countries worldwide, partnering with local communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities. The organization has a significant presence in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, focusing on countries such as Haiti, Guatemala, Colombia, and various Caribbean nations. Mercy Corps LAC prioritizes issues like rural development, humanitarian response, climate adaptation, resilience, and support for migrants, working alongside local leaders from civil society, government, and the private sector to foster sustainable growth and contribute to its global mission of creating a better world for all.

Job Overview:
The LAC regional team is seeking a consultant to lead a regional learning initiative aimed at strengthening and diversifying its local partnership ecosystem. This initiative is particularly important in light of significant shifts in donor funding and policy environments. The consultant will be responsible for understanding Mercy Corps LAC’s current partner landscape, assessing partner capacities, and identifying opportunities to expand and deepen equitable, locally led partnerships, especially with organizations serving indigenous, LGBTQI+, and other historically marginalized communities. The consultant will design and conduct a partner feedback survey, review and assess partner selection and evaluation criteria, and conduct a comprehensive mapping of current and potential partners across the LAC region. The work will generate insights on how Mercy Corps is perceived by partners, its added value as an INGO, and how partnership models can be adapted to support inclusion, knowledge sharing, and long-term collaboration under evolving funding and operational realities. The consultant will engage closely with country teams and regional leadership, producing actionable deliverables such as a reusable survey tool, a visual partner mapping, and a final report with findings and recommendations to inform future partnership strategies and program design.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with designing and implementing various qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, including surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs), to gather feedback from current partners and country team members regarding Mercy Corps’ added value, partnership strengths and challenges, and roles in locally led contexts. The consultant will engage with country teams, program managers, MEL/CARM leads, and regional leadership to contextualize findings and ensure relevance across the LAC region. Additionally, the consultant will review and assess existing partner selection, evaluation, and engagement criteria to identify opportunities to broaden and diversify the partner roster. A comprehensive mapping of current and potential partners in the LAC region will be conducted, analyzing partner roles, capacities, gaps, and opportunities. The consultant will synthesize findings from surveys, document reviews, and consultations into clear insights and lessons learned, producing and presenting key deliverables, including a reusable survey tool, partner mapping, and a final report with findings and prioritized recommendations for Mercy Corps LAC and global teams.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in international development, social sciences, public policy, or a related field, or have equivalent professional experience. A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in international development is required, including work with INGOs and local civil society partners. Candidates should have demonstrated experience leading organizational assessments and learning initiatives, as well as strong skills in qualitative and quantitative research, including survey design, data analysis, and synthesis of findings into practical recommendations. Experience engaging diverse stakeholders and facilitating consultations across various levels is essential. Knowledge of donor funding environments, including US Government, European, and private philanthropy, and how funding shifts affect partnerships and local actors is also required. Candidates should have experience working with organizations of varying sizes and capacities, including community-based and grassroots organizations, and demonstrate a commitment to equity, inclusion, and locally led approaches, particularly in engaging indigenous, LGBTQI+, or other marginalized groups. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary, with experience producing clear, high-quality reports and tools.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in international development, social sciences, public policy, or a related field is required, or equivalent professional experience that demonstrates the necessary skills and knowledge for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in international development, particularly with INGOs and local civil society partners. Candidates should have a proven track record of leading organizational assessments and learning initiatives, showcasing their ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and facilitate consultations effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is required for this position, with proficiency in French considered a preferred asset. Strong communication skills in both languages will be essential for engaging with partners and stakeholders across the LAC region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last a maximum of 20 days, scheduled between February and April 202

• Travel will be required to 1-2 countries in the LAC region for data collection and consultations with country teams. The consultant will report to the Deputy Regional Director for Programs, LAC, and will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Technical Director, LAC; LAC Regional Vice President; LAC Country Directors; and other program leadership and support teams. Mercy Corps is committed to equal employment opportunities and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment, adhering to core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.