Resilience Measurement and Research Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established in 1979, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries worldwide, focusing on disaster relief, poverty alleviation, and community development. The organization aims to empower communities to overcome adversity and build stronger, more resilient societies. In Zimbabwe, Mercy Corps has been active since 2002, implementing programs that promote small-scale agriculture and enhance local economies, particularly in response to the ongoing environmental, economic, and social challenges faced by the country.

Job Overview:
The Resilience Measurement and Research Specialist will play a crucial role within the Resilience Knowledge Hub (RKH) under the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF). This position is designed to provide technical advisory services focused on resilience measurement and research. The primary goal of the RKH is to enhance the capacity of ZRBF partners, including government entities, in understanding and applying resilience concepts and methodologies. This role involves advising on context, gender, and resilience analyses, improving scenario planning, and developing early warning systems to inform ZRBF planning and implementation. The specialist will also be responsible for generating evidence through strategic resilience measurement and translating findings into actionable recommendations for program development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Resilience Measurement and Research Specialist will be responsible for several key functions, including:

• Developing a comprehensive resilience measurement approach and system, including research protocols for annual outcome monitoring surveys.
• Facilitating 'sensemaking' sessions with ZRBF partners to analyze resilience data and generate insights.
• Collaborating with learning champions to create relevant communication products.
• Advising partners on conducting applied research studies to assess the impact of resilience-building efforts.
• Providing technical guidance to ensure methodological soundness in research studies and evaluations.
• Designing and supervising context analysis, scenario planning, and mapping studies.
• Documenting research findings and leading presentations and publications.
• Committing 5% of time to organizational learning activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree or an equivalent advanced degree in development studies, statistics, applied research related to climate change, Disaster Risk Reduction, or closely related fields. Additionally, at least 7 years of relevant management experience in resilience measurement and research within an NGO context is required. Candidates should have experience in international development, particularly in resilience, with a strong background in research, monitoring, evaluation, and analytics. Proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative study design, data collection, and analysis is essential, along with excellent communication and writing skills. Familiarity with the Zimbabwean context is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
A Master's Degree or Advanced University Degree (or equivalent) in relevant fields such as development studies, statistics, or applied research related to climate change and Disaster Risk Reduction is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of resilience measurement and research.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant management experience in resilience measurement and research, particularly within an NGO environment. Candidates should have a proven track record in international development and experience working with international organizations in the field of resilience. Strong expertise in research methodologies, monitoring, evaluation, and analytics is essential.

Languages:
While the job posting does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international context of the organization. Additional languages relevant to the local context may be beneficial but are not explicitly stated as requirements.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The successful candidate will report directly to the Resilience Knowledge Hub Team Leader and work closely with various stakeholders, including the Mercy Corps Zimbabwe Country Office and partner organizations. The role emphasizes accountability to participants and adherence to safeguarding principles, ensuring a respectful and dignified environment for all individuals involved.