Consultant - Refine and Implement Framing and Sensemaking Consultancy for Graduating to Sustainable Agriculture, Income, Nutrition and Food Security

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Position Title: Consultant - Refine and Implement Framing and Sensemaking Consultancy for Graduating to Sustainable Agriculture, Income, Nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security
Location: Remote
Country: United States
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

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. The organization partners with local communities to implement bold solutions that help individuals overcome adversity and build stronger communities from within. Since August 2007, Mercy Corps has been active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), employing around 400 staff members in Eastern DRC. The national office is located in Goma, with sub-field offices in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri. The organization's mission in DRC focuses on supporting vulnerable communities through crises while fostering programs that build resilience and promote long-term change. Key programming areas include improving water service delivery, enhancing food security and nutrition, promoting diversified livelihoods, and supporting peacebuilding and local governance. Mercy Corps DRC's humanitarian efforts specifically aim to assist populations affected by conflict and crisis in Eastern Congo. In September 2023, Mercy Corps signed an agreement with the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA-USAID) to implement the Graduating to Sustainable Agriculture, Income, Nutrition, and Food Security (GAINS) Program, a five-year initiative with a budget of USD 105.7 million, aimed at sustainably improving food, nutrition, and economic security in the Kasai region.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in the GAINS program by conducting six formative research studies during the first year of the program. These studies will explore the complexities surrounding market, labor, and seed systems, as well as gender, youth, and social inclusion (GYSI), nutrition, and WASH behaviors, particularly in the context of climate and conflict shocks and stresses in the Kasai region. The consultant will be responsible for designing a joint analysis framework and methodology to analyze the findings from these studies. This analysis will be used to refine the existing Theory of Change (ToC) and inform the program's interventions, strategies, and approaches. The consultant will collaborate closely with the GAINS team to ensure that the analysis is comprehensive and actionable, ultimately contributing to the program's goal of improving food, nutrition, and economic security for vulnerable populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include: 1) Developing a draft joint analytical framework by reviewing the GAINS program and its Theory of Change, as well as existing resilience analysis frameworks. 2) Analyzing formative research findings using the draft joint analysis framework and adjusting it as necessary in consultation with the Mercy Corps team. 3) Conducting a sensemaking workshop to bolster the analysis, which involves reviewing previous sensemaking exercises, developing facilitation materials, and documenting key insights. 4) Drafting a full report that documents the implications of the findings from the formative research studies on the GAINS design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, including background, methodology, analysis of findings, and programmatic recommendations. 5) Finalizing the report based on feedback from the Mercy Corps team and developing a brief or slidedeck that summarizes high-level findings.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, experience in developing frameworks for program evaluation, and familiarity with resilience analysis. They should have a solid understanding of the complexities surrounding food security, nutrition, and economic development, particularly in conflict-affected areas. The consultant should also demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders, and possess excellent communication skills to present findings and recommendations effectively.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in a relevant field such as international development, public health, social sciences, or a related discipline is required. Additional certifications or training in program evaluation, resilience analysis, or related areas will be considered an asset.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in program evaluation, research, or consultancy, particularly in the fields of food security, nutrition, and economic development. Experience working in conflict-affected regions and familiarity with the specific challenges faced by vulnerable populations in these contexts is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in French or other local languages spoken in the DRC would be considered a strong advantage, as it would facilitate communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to commence on June 15, 2024, and conclude on September 30, 2024, with an estimated level of effort of 30 days. The consultant will be compensated based on the actual days worked, and any adjustments to the workplan must be agreed upon in writing before exceeding the estimated level of effort. This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location.