Consultant - Markets & Conflict Study Co-Lead – Senior Researcher International - Remote

BACKGROUND

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. At Mercy Corps, we aim to be on the cutting edge of developing more efficient, effective paths to social impact at scale. We believe that solutions - to even the most “sticky” problems - are within reach, be that at the community level or the global level. Our years of experience have taught us that often, to break through on a particularly tough challenge, we have to be bold in our thinking and disrupt, we have to innovate, to achieve a lasting and transformative solution. For solutions to advance along a pathway to scale, data, research, and evidence are needed at key stages. Mercy Corps is committed to generating and using evidence to understand and improve our impact, and to enhance the humanitarian and development community’s ability to address the world’s most complex challenges.

As part of this commitment, Mercy Corps is a member of the Supporting Pastoralism & Agriculture in Recurrent & Protracted Crises (SPARC) consortium led by Cowater International in partnership with the Overseas Development Institute and the International Livestock Research Institute. SPARC is a six-year (2020-2026) initiative funded by FCDO. The goal is to generate and promote the application of evidence on what works to strengthen the resilience of agricultural and pastoral livelihoods in fragile, drylands contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. The program aims to advance research on livelihoods, agriculture and pastoralism that can be used by FCDO and other agencies to guide decisions on programs and policies to support livelihoods resilience in the drylands. Through research and evidence, SPARC will develop knowledge to enhance the ability of FCDO, the donor community, NGOs, local and national governments and other stakeholders to assist pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and farmers in the context of conflict, climate change, and other shocks and stressors.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

In consultation with SPARC stakeholders, Mercy Corps proposed a 12-month study on ‘Understanding markets and trade in a context of extreme conflict and humanitarian crisis, with limited access, in Darfur, Sudan’. This study will be co-led by a team of international and Sudanese researchers.  The International Consultant, as co-lead, will work closely with the Principal Expert (also co-lead) to coordinate with Sudanese researchers and Mercy Corps teams to: a) generate evidence and improved understanding of trade and markets in the severe conflict-affected dryland environment of Darfur, to inform humanitarian policy and programming; b) through creative and conflict-sensitive adaptation of conventional approaches to market monitoring and research, to inform how data and information can be gathered and analysed in a highly challenging protracted conflict crisis. Safety and the security of researchers and local stakeholders is paramount. The Co-leads will routinely communicate with Mercy Corps teams to advise on research progress vis a vis the operating context. They will advise whether to suspend the study at any point due to safety concerns.

CONSULTANT OBJECTIVES

1. Play a key role in the design and implementation of the ‘Understanding markets and trade’ study in the Darfur region of Sudan, to address the three research questions the study sets out to answer:  
   1. How can market monitoring and data collection be adapted, with flexibility and sensitivity, to at least partially fill the information void in Darfur – a context of extreme conflict, insecurity and constrained access – through local actors? This requires experimenting sensitively with creative and flexible means of data collection.
   2. How has trade in agricultural and livestock commodities adapted, positively and negatively, to the current context of extreme conflict in Darfur, how is trade fuelling the war economy, what are the implications for social cohesion, and for conflict-sensitive programming by humanitarian actors? 
   3. How can a deeper understanding of markets and trade in food commodities contribute to improved understanding of the severity of food insecurity in Darfur? 
2. Be the key point of contact for the Darfur-based research team
3. Work with the other members of the international team, to contribute to research and learning products (reports, briefs, meetings, webinars, blogs, possible journal article, etc).

CONSULTANT ACTIVITIES

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Reviewing the outputs and coverage of other trade & market initiatives in Darfur, and establishing a system for continuous tracking of the analysis carried out by others, to ensure this project complements and adds value, deepening knowledge of trade and markets to inform humanitarian programming
• Working with the other international experts and with the Principal National Expert to identify the market indicators to be monitored, the frequency, and to design the analysis process
• Maintaining ongoing and close contact with the Darfur-based researchers, using the best available means of communication
• Receiving and collating the data collected by the Research Field Officers and the National Principal Expert, entering it into spreadsheets as required
• Leading on data analysis, of both quantitative and qualitative data
• Conducting key informant interviews with traders, including livestock and other traders in Egypt
• Working with the other experts in the project to support interpretation of the data analysis, and writing of the market briefing notes and policy brief
• Towards the end of the project, participating in the learning process of reflecting on the approach and experience of this market monitoring project.

DELIVERABLES

The consultant in partnership with the study co-leads and other members of the team, will contribute to the following deliverables:

• 2 internal reports
• Market briefing notes (at least two)
• Policy Briefs (at least one)
• Presentations at on-line or in-person meetings
• SPARC Blog
• Depending on how the project progresses, a journal article may also be written.

TIMEFRAME

The Consultant will be engaged from 01 October 2024 through 30 September 2025 for up to 72 days dependent on funding. Additional days may be added as needed and funding opportunities arise.  The Consultant will submit monthly timesheets and invoice for completed work monthly or quarterly as agreed upon with the Team Lead. 

Below is an illustrative breakdown of the LOE.  Actual time spent to each activity may vary. The Consultant is expected to coordinate with the Team Lead and relevant SPARC support staff to request additional time or implementation costs.

• Up to 2 days to coordinate final design of the study, building in flexibility to the approach.
• Up to 15 days to co-lead implementation and final reporting, adapting the approach to the context.
• Up to 3 days to plan for and participate in on-line and in-person meetings and workshops.

TRAVEL

This consultancy may require limited travel within Egypt, for example from Cairo to markets on the Egypt-Sudan border.  Mercy Corps, through the study budget, will directly cover such in-country transport costs and accommodation unless previously agreed with the Consultant. The Consultant will submit receipts for reimbursement of expenses, including local transport, meals & incidental allowances based on SPARC approved rates.  All other costs related to the study need to be pre-approved by the SPARC Team Lead.

THE CONSULTANT WILL REPORT TO

• The two co-leads of the project

THE CONSULTANT WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH

• Other members of the Research Team, particularly those based in Darfur.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as agriculture economics, economics or political science.
• 5 -10 years of conducting research in Sudan, related to political economy, ideally trade and markets
• Proven ability to collate and analyse both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Proficiency in using Excel spreadsheets and other analysis packages.
• Well organized and ability to work to deadlines.
• Good writing skills, in Arabic and English.
• It will be preferable if the International Research Analyst is based in Egypt.

SUCCESS FACTORS

• Flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and requirements.
• Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, peer groups, and officials; and motivation to seek out and establish new relationships.
• Ability to implement original research in a politically sensitive conflict environment, that answers questions of relevance to development and humanitarian practitioners and policymakers.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to effectively gather and summarize large amounts of information from various sources, into clear, concise analysis and writing
• Ability to work flexibly in a dynamic and unpredictable environment and meet deadlines under those conditions.
• Strong grasp of links between research findings, policy outcomes, and field-level program impact.
• Good organizational skills and ability to work under time constraints.