To be based in one of our country locations of Nepal, Jordan, Indonesia or at a partners’ base in Bangkok, Thailand
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
The Program: Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance
The Zurich Foundation-funded, Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance program (hereafter referred to as ‘the Alliance’) is a multi-stakeholder, global program focusing on finding practical ways to support communities in developed and developing countries, strengthen their resilience to flood risk.
*Our vision is that floods have no negative impact on people’s and business’ ability to thrive.
As an Alliance we work to achieve our objectives through long-term, flexible community programmes, producing new research, sharing our knowledge, and influencing key stakeholders on flood and climate resilience. The Alliance consists of humanitarian, NGO, research, and private sector partners who work together to increase public and private investment in evidence-informed community-based flood resilience.
As a core partner in the Alliance, Mercy Corps is leading the Policy and Advocacy component, thus supporting the program and its partners with the overall influence strategy, and guiding the implementation of influence-related activities, both at the global level and in countries with Alliance programmes. In addition, Mercy Corps has a central role in supporting knowledge management, research and evidence and driving innovative programs in support of the overall influence agenda.
The Position
Summary:
- Design and deliver strategies to shift policy and practice on climate adaptation and flood resilience in our focus countries (Nepal, Jordan, Indonesia), including shaping the policies of both governments, local authorities and other actors. This includes commissioning and conducting research and analysis, and supporting country based advocates to design and deliver advocacy work.
- Support community programmes using:
● flood resilience measurement to leverage local action and inform global advocacy.
● Innovative research to test adaptation solutions, building partnerships with communities, academia and the private sector.
The Advocacy Action Manager role entails working with country teams in Jordan, Nepal and Indonesia (and other countries as needed) on identifying and overseeing research, learning opportunities, and national advocacy strategies related to flood resilience as well as delivering flood resilience measurement programs.
They will be a strong facilitator, researcher and technical expert in resilience and/or disaster risk reduction, with experience of country programme delivery. The Advocacy Action Manager will work with country teams to develop advocacy strategies at a national-level that result in local impact. They will also coordinate activities with the wider Global Advocacy plan for ZFRA – working closely with the ZFRA Global Advocacy lead.
Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
● Oversee ongoing Zurich Alliance program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
● Ensure that program Participants are effectively targeted.
● Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget and facilitate review against the Theory of Change.
RESEARCH AND LEARNING
● Develop and oversee the delivery of a strong research agenda
● Provide technical mentorship and support to ensure delivery of high quality research products e.g. briefs, blogs, case studies, and other key written material that helps to synthesize research and make it accessible for key audience members.
● Identify rapid learning opportunities within the programs and work with other Mercy Corps colleagues to advance our approaches to Climate Change Adaptation – creating synergies with existing global resilience strategies and influence agendas.
INFLUENCE
● Support country teams to develop national influence strategies
● Facilitate networking with key agencies
● Represent the Alliance and Mercy Corps in internal and external events
COORDINATION, NETWORKING AND REPRESENTATION
● Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
CAPACITY-BUILDING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Work with Mercy Corps country teams to identify capacity-building needs in climate resilience and provide technical mentorship and support to country teams.
Supervisory Responsibility
The post holder will supervise program staff in each of the focal countries.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Resilience Hub Manager.
Works Directly With: Global Advocacy Lead, Project Manager.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
● Relevant degree (e.g. climate science, international development, agriculture etc.)
● At least 5 years relevant experience in program design, delivery, management.
● At least 2 years experience working in country on climate change programs
● Fluent in English (writing and speaking). Fluency in another language spoken in one of our target countries is an advantage.
Competencies
We’re looking for a team member who can use their experience to improve our delivery, see the positives, understand the politics and be curious about the challenges that arise. You’ll be an effective communicator with strong diplomacy skills – comfortable working with a range of stakeholders, able to communicate complex climate messaging in appropriate ways to a diverse audience.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in one of our country offices as noted previously. It requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard. [1]
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
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
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
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 is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
