Job details

Senior Advisor, Evidence Use - Washington, DC, Amman, Jordan, Nairobi, Kenya, London, UK, Open to any Mercy Corps office location

Location: Washington, DC, Amman, Jordan, Nairobi, Kenya, London, UK, Open to any Mercy Corps office location.

Valid unrestricted work authorization in the country in which you will be based is required at the time of application for this position. We may be open to considering candidates based in other locations, depending on work authorization and our registration status.

Position Status: Full-time, Regular, Exempt

UK Starting Salary: Starting salary for this role will be £53,360 - based on local benchmarking and commensurate with professional experience.
US Starting Salary: Starting salary for this role will be $76,800 - $91,200 - commensurate with professional experience.

The salary range will be based on local benchmark for candidates outside of the US or UK, and will be provided upon request.

Job Post Closing Date: We will be receiving applications through 8/29/2024.

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. Through our 10-year strategy— the Pathway to Possibility—we support communities, and the most marginalized within them, to emerge from crisis and build towards a more inclusive resilient future. We work towards four connected and reinforcing outcomes: Food Security, Water Security, Economic Opportunities, and Peace and Good Governance.

The Pathway to Possibility Strategy commits us to being an evidence-driven organization. As part of this commitment, we have prioritized generating and using evidence to improve our programs, scale what works, and influence others. Through our Evidence Driven Commitment, we are pursuing aligned global and regional Evidence and Learning Agendas that help us fill prioritized knowledge gaps within each of our four outcome areas. Through this commitment, we are also investing in our ability to measure our progress towards our strategy, use evidence to help us increase the scale of our work, and strengthen our data architecture and data literacy skills across the organization.

The Unit and Team

Our Evidence & Learning Unit is responsible for advancing our Evidence Driven Commitment by enhancing Mercy Corps’ ability to generate and use evidence. The unit includes four teams, who each make distinct contributions towards achieving this vision of success: the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Team, Research and Learning Team, and Global Crisis Analysis Team, and the Evidence Use Team.

The Evidence Use Team—which is currently in the start-up phase—aims to ensure that evidence and learning are accessible and useable in our efforts to drive program impact, scale-up effective approaches, and influence key external debates and policy decisions. Realizing this vision entails playing a variety of roles and functions across the evidence use lifecycle, from facilitating collaborations between evidence users and producers to distilling the practical lessons and tailored recommendations from individual evidence products to supporting larger-scale organizational learning and influence by tracking, curating, and synthesizing the broader set of evidence and insights being produced across Mercy Corps and our broader sector. The Evidence Use Team will fulfill this mandate by directly contributing to key strategic initiatives within our Evidence Driven Commitment and by providing guidance, technical support, and learning opportunities that help to strengthen the skills and culture for effective evidence use across the organization.

The Position

Mercy Corps is searching for a Senior Advisor for Evidence Use to serve as the first full-time team member for the new Evidence Use Team. The Senior Advisor will collaborate directly with the lead for the Evidence Use Team — the Senior Managing Director for Research, Evidence, and Learning — to finalize the strategy for Evidence Use at Mercy Corps and to begin advancing that strategy by leading several prioritized projects identified in the design process for the Evidence Use Team. To help ensure that the Evidence Use Strategy and implementation plan are aligned with the needs and resources of stakeholders across the organization, the Senior Advisor and Senior Managing Director will convene and consult with an Advisory Group made up of a diverse set evidence producers and evidence users across the organization.

The Senior Advisor will work across three of the functional areas that we have identified as critical for supporting effective evidence use at Mercy Corps: 1) leading and supporting evidence synthesis and curation to enhance our teams’ abilities to learn from and act on the insights from a wide array of relevant evidence sources inside and outside of Mercy Corps, 2) designing and socializing tools and platforms that support effective evidence use and knowledge management, and 3) cultivating the skills and culture for effective evidence use and organizational learning across Mercy Corps.

While specific projects within these functional areas will evolve over time, for the next year, the Senior Advisor’s efforts will focus on several prioritized workstreams that correspond to strategic priorities for the Evidence & Learning Unit and Mercy Corps as a whole. In particular, the Senior Advisor will lead and support efforts to map and curate the evidence being generated under the Evidence and Learning Agendas for each of our four P2P outcomes. They will also contribute to our organizational learning by supporting efforts to synthesize and share this body of evidence in a variety of planned products and platforms. These planned products and platforms include the “Evidence Digest” (a biannual internal newsletter curating and summarizing what we’re learning), the “Mercy Corps Learning Center” (a searchable global database that helps team members easily access our up-to-date evidence and learning), and “Organizational Outcome Measurement” (reports assessing our results within each outcome using an analysis of key indicators along with thematic syntheses of broader evidence products). The Senior Advisor will also contribute to building a culture of evidence use across the organization by helping the to compile and share concise, engaging content highlighting cases of successful evidence use at Mercy Corps and in our broader sector.

Beyond leading and actively contributing to these key strategic initiatives, the Senior Advisor will help to support evidence use across Mercy Corps by connecting and guiding the broader set of team members playing evidence use, knowledge management, research, and applied learning roles. These efforts will include identifying and convening a network of evidence use practitioners throughout the organization and helping to build the technical and soft skills of this cohort through peer learning and targeted guidance, trainings, and job aids.

Essential Responsibilities

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS AND CURATION

Contribute to the biannual Evidence Digest newsletter by helping to design and execute the communication strategy for the product, curating featured evidence products from within each outcome area, and helping to author and edit short summaries synthesizing and translating what we’re learning on prioritized themes and questions in language that is clear and user-friendly.

Support thematic evidence syntheses for Organizational Outcome Measurement reporting by helping to design and refine the methodology and helping to author and edit short summaries synthesizing and translating short summaries.

Lead or assist with analysis and writing for evidence synthesis or translation products for the Global and Regional Evidence and Learning Agendas, tailored to specific use cases prioritized by the respective ELA leads (including but not limited to policy influence, thought leadership, community feedback, program design and adaptive management, or replicating and scaling effective program approaches).

Develop guidance notes and/or templates to help teams and team members across Mercy Corps in developing evidence synthesis and translation products tailored to a set of prioritized audiences and decisions (including but not limited to donors, policymakers, communities, and program teams).

TOOLS & PLATFORMS FOR EVIDENCE USE AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

Developing, socializing, and supporting the use of a standardized suite of trackers and maps that help to support efficient and user-friendly accumulation, curation, and synthesis of evidence being produced within our Evidence and Learning Agendas.

Support the process of conceptualizing, designing, piloting, and implementing a searchable global database or platform that helps team members access up-to-date, curated evidence syntheses and products and easy to understand summaries of what we’re learning.

Engaging with workstreams and pilots on data architecture and literacy and Artificial Intelligence to ensure alignment with the evidence use strategy and best practices.

Develop guidance notes and/or templates to help teams and team members across Mercy Corps in developing evidence trackers, maps, and databases tailored to their own targeted evidence use and knowledge management efforts.

EVIDENCE USE AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING CULTURE

Contribute to developing and socializing Mercy Corps’ strategy for Evidence Use by helping to draft core documents and presentations and by helping to convene and manage the Evidence Use Advisory Group.

Develop a community of practice or network of Evidence Use Practitioners within Mercy Corps to promote cross-learning, peer support, and collaboration among team members playing evidence use, knowledge management, and applied learning roles (and/or team members interested in building related skills).

Assist with our annual Evidence in Action Competition by supporting the submission and review process and by helping to compile and share case studies of effective Evidence Use in engaging content, including presentations, briefs, and/or graphics.

Develop guidance notes and/or templates to help teams and team members across Mercy Corps in developing core evidence use skills, including (but not limited to) facilitating collaboration between evidence users and producers in co-creating relevant, timely evidence and harnessing communities of practice and peer networks for evidence use and applied learning.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work

Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members

Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options

Supervisory Responsibility

No formal supervisory responsibilities. May convene and manage cross-team working/advisory groups, communities of practice, and/or matrix teams and informally supervise consultants and/or interns as required.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior Managing Director- Research, Evidence and Learning

Works Directly With: Relevant Evidence and Learning Unit Teams and Team Members (including Research and Learning, MEL, Global Crisis Analysis, Evidence Use Advisory Group Members, and their broader units/ teams, including program teams Technical Resources and Quality (TraQ), Policy and Advocacy team, Regional and Country Teams, Media and Communications Team.

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 programs and research.

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills

The ideal candidate will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following qualifications and characteristics:

Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in international development, public administration, knowledge management, applied statistics, or other relevant field of study.

Experience supporting evidence use, knowledge management, and/or organizational learning in nonprofit organizations.

Candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree should have 5+ years of experience (with at least 3 years spent working for humanitarian or development nonprofits, government organizations, or academic organizations/think tanks).

Candidates with an advanced degree should have a minimum of 4 years experience (with at least 2 years spent working for humanitarian or development nonprofits, government organizations, or academic organizations/think tanks.

Expertise in at least one of the following types of approaches/tools and interest in/ familiarity with the other two. Preference for candidates with expertise in all three types of method.

Cutting edge methods for evidence synthesis including systematic review, rapid reviews, and evidence mapping/gap mapping.

Technical tools that support evidence use and knowledge management, especially Generative AI and Microsoft 365 (especially Sharepoint and Power BI).

Participatory and inclusive approaches to applied learning, including Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA), adult learning, sensemaking, human-centered design, and/or communities of practice.

Training and/or expertise in at least one core technical area related to Mercy Corps’ Pathway to Possibility Strategy (Economic Opportunities, Peace and Good Governance, Food Security, or Water Security).

Preference for candidates with training and/or expertise in Food Security or Water Security and/or candidates with training and/or expertise in multiple sectors.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to convey and tailor the takeaways from evidence their implications to multiple audiences, including senior policy makers and executives, practitioners and program managers, and the general public.

Strong networks, relationships, and profile with experts and organizations working on the cutting edge of evidence use, knowledge management, and/or organizational learning.

Willingness and ability to travel to Mercy Corps regional and country offices and/or project sites, including potentially traveling to insecure environments.

Fluency in English is required.

Preference for candidates with proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Arabic in addition to fluency in English.

Success Factors

The Senior Advisor must have strong teamwork and communication skills and must be familiar with and interested in the wide range of technical and soft skills needed to foster effective evidence use within a humanitarian and development organization and our broader sector. The successful candidate will be a self-starter, demonstrating initiative in executing strategic priorities and managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects. They will show passion for the role that implementing INGOs can play in using evidence to drive program quality and influence policy. They will demonstrate flexibility in a non-hierarchical environment and an outstanding ability to communicate effectively with team members of varied cultural backgrounds and work styles to foster inclusion, collaboration, and curiosity. They will have experience in building solid working relationships with other teams and departments. They are multi-tasker with the proven ability to organize and prioritize competing priorities and demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. They have the proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, be accountable for results and understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details. The individual must be able to travel and work successfully in austere environments and maintain poise in stressful situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position can be based in any Mercy Corps HQ or regional office, or remotely from their home base in countries where candidates are legally eligible to work and Mercy Corps is registered as an employer. The role may require occasional travel to support collaboration on prioritized evidence use projects with other global, regional, country, and program teams. Mercy Corps team members represent the organization both during and outside work hours when deployed in a country office or on a visit/TDY to a country office. 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.

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 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 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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

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