Description

**This posting is not a current work opportunity. The purpose of this posting is for the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion team to assemble a short list of consultants whose experience match one or more of the following Consultant Activities. Responding to this post does not guarantee an opportunity immediately. If your experience is a good fit, please follow the application instructions at the bottom of this Scope of Work. If you are shortlisted and opportunities arise in the near future, we will contact you to respond to the specific Scope of Work for the given assignment.**

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Purpose:

With continued commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, Mercy Corps has developed our Minimum Standards for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) integration in our programs. The Mercy Corps Technical Support Unit (TSU) is looking for experienced GESI professionals to support multiple assignments to help our teams meet and exceed these standards. Specifically, we are looking for individuals with experience conducting GESI analyses and qualitative assessments, developing GESI strategies and Capacity Building activities, and strengthening measurement frameworks with a GESI lens. The activities will respond to the needs of both the humanitarian and development programs in Mercy Corps countries of operation.

Consultants should be available to work remotely and collaboratively with the Mercy Corps teams on the ground, and flexible to travel if required.

Consultant Activities:

Broadly, consultant activities will take the form of assessments and analyses for projects that are in the inception phase of implementation with key deliverables to the donor. Activities may also include support to proposal development at the regional or country level, and designing and running capacity building opportunities for Mercy Corps staff. Specific examples of assignments include one or more of the following areas of work:

Proposal Development and Design:

Conduct rapid GESI Analysis (secondary and/or primary data) to inform proposal design and contribute to proposal development by incorporating assigned sections and language relevant to GESI. Contribute to the design of GESI sensitive logframes. GESI Analysis and Assessments:

Conduct secondary Data Collection and prepare literature review pieces. Develop data collection tools, train enumerators and conduct analysis using Mercy Corps and donors guidelines. Prepare GESI analysis and assessment reports. Lead workshops with country teams to understand findings and provide tailored, GESI-focused recommendations for the programs. Review work plans and project logframes to ensure GESI is integrated. Capacity Building:

Design GESI training material tailored to Mercy Corps programs needs. Deliver GESI training at country and regional level. Prepare reports on the training conducted. Develop standalone country and/or program level gender strategies/action plans

Lead participatory strategy/ action plan workshops on a program/country or regional level. Draft GESI strategy documents.

Consultant Deliverables:

Specific deliverables and timeline will be determined based on the needs of each assignment. These will be discussed and agreed between the consultant, the program and the TSU team at the start of the assignment.

Timeframe / Schedule:

These will be discussed and agreed between the consultant, the program and the regional team at the start of the assignment.

The Consultant will report to:

The consultant will likely report to a project manager or team lead, and will be expected to collaborate with the GESI TSU for technical backstop.

The Consultant will work closely with:

TSU Global GESI Director and GESI Advisor; other TSU members, Country and Regional Teams involved in the requested task as needed.

Required Experience & Skills:

Master’s degree in international development, gender studies or a related field preferred. 5+ years’ experience working in programs that have a focus on gender equality and social inclusion. Proven track record in successfully conducting GESI analyses/assessments for various donor funded programs in the region in various sectors. Demonstrated experience in capacity strengthening for teams to ensure a strong understanding of GESI integration within the program cycle. Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated strong understanding of one or more regional contexts where Mercy Corps operates, including Africa, Middle East, Asia and the Americas. Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following program areas: Humanitarian Response, economic opportunities, peace and good governance, environment and Climate Change. Demonstrated familiarity with GESI guidelines from a variety of donors (including, but not limited to, USAID, FCDO and Global Affairs Canada). Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and to travel (as required) on short notice. Fluent spoken and written English, working proficiency of French, Russian or Spanish is preferred.

To Apply

As described in the Purpose section above, to potentially receive invitations to apply to future consultant GESI Scope of Work postings, please submit your CV and a brief Cover Letter that describes how your experience match one or more of the above described Consultant Activities.

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 world’s 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
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 team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.