Consultancy Roster - Market System Development (MSD) Specialist - Middle East and Europe

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, now and for the future.

 

Purpose / Project Description:
Mercy Corps is actively involved in various humanitarian and long-term development initiatives throughout the Middle East and Europe. These initiatives are crucial to addressing the ongoing challenges and vulnerabilities faced by communities in this region. This report aims to provide a comprehensive update on the progress of our recruitment efforts for leadership and critical roles in the MENA and Europe region.

 

Consultant Objectives:
● Keep leadership informed of the recruitment progress for key positions to ensure timely decision-making and effective onboarding.
● Identify and address any potential delays or challenges in the recruitment process to ensure program continuity.
● Provide recommendations for optimizing recruitment processes where needed to expedite hiring.

 

Consultant Activities:
Activities will focus on tracking recruitment progress, providing strategic advice, and ensuring alignment with Mercy Corps' regional and global recruitment standards. Specific examples of tasks include:
● Reviewing and analyzing current recruitment metrics and identifying any areas for improvement.
● Engaging with HRBPs and country offices to gather feedback and adjust recruitment strategies as necessary.
● Monitoring the candidate pipeline and ensuring alignment with Mercy Corps’ diversity and inclusion goals.
● Coordinating with leadership on the timing of interviews, shortlisting, and final selection processes.

 

Consultant Deliverables:
Deliverables will be determined by the specific needs of each recruitment process. These will be discussed and agreed upon between the consultant, regional HR, and leadership.
Deliverables may include:
● Detailed recruitment tracking reports with key metrics (time-to-fill, candidate stages, etc.).
● Updates on the progress of leadership hires, including interview schedules and candidate feedback.
● Documented recommendations for improving recruitment efficiency and addressing any identified bottlenecks.

 

Timeframe / Schedule:
The timeframe will depend on the specific recruitment needs and timelines for each role. Updates will be provided to leadership on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on urgency.

The Consultant will report to:
Regional HR Director, MENA & Europe

The Consultant will work closely with:
Deputy Regional Director, Regional HR Business Partners, Country Directors, Program Managers

 

Required Experience & Skills:
● Bachelor’s degree required, with formal HR or recruitment training preferred.
● 5-7 years of experience in senior-level recruitment, particularly in the humanitarian or international development sectors.
● Proven experience working in the MENA region and Europe, with a strong understanding of recruitment in fragile or complex settings.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data and updates clearly to senior leadership.
● Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple recruitment processes simultaneously.

 

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 meet 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 the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.