Background:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organisation 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:
The Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa) is a five-year USAID-funded program that aims to support Jordan's micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to grow, transform, and become resilient to future shocks. Mercy Corps leads on the implementation of Iqlaa and weaves together technical expertise from a robust set of national, regional, and international partners including Andersen for Legal and Tax Consultancy (Andersen), Dalberg Design (Dalberg), Expectation State, Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII), Migrate-Jordan (Migrate), Q-Perspective, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham).
Consultant Objectives:
Provide technical assistance to the Project team to support completion of the Market System Assessments, and to operationalize the Market Systems Assessment findings
Develop recommendations for a programme strategy for Iqlaa’s hybrid model, to feed into Iqlaa’s annual workplan
Support navigating MSD actions within the bureaucratic hurdles of Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures in a complex program setting.
Work with MSD Technical Director to build knowledge and awareness of Mercy Corps’ MSD actions globally and how they can be applied to Jordan.
Provide ongoing support and technical assistance to the MSD technical director as needed
Consultant Activities:
The Consultant will conduct the following activities:
Provide technical input and review to support the completion of the Market System Assessments
Review Market System Assessment findings, and collaborate with the team to understand and prioritise key recommendations, design pilots, and begin implementing those pilots with relevant partners (if required, this may involve a trip to engage in an intervention design workshop, building on the findings of the MSAs)
Engage in strategy discussions with Iqlaa senior leadership to create linkages and complementarities - and, critically, to reduce distortion - between direct delivery and MSD activities.
Provide a series of concrete recommended actions to operationalize a hybrid programme approach (MSD & direct delivery), including providing recommendations to Iqlaa senior leadership on how to reflect Iqlaa’s hybrid strategy in the next USAID annual workplan. Provide inputs into the Iqlaa Annual Workplan
Conduct regular check-ins to assess the effectiveness of the programme strategy and provide recommendations and guidance to address any issues
Work with the MSD Technical Director and the DCOP, Operations to navigate Mercy Corps systems and processes and operationalize partnerships
Provide technical inputs and review on MSD-related requests to Iqlaa, as requested
Consultant Deliverables:
The Consultant will develop the following deliverables.
Documentation of discussions and decisions made with the project team regarding the prioritised recommendations.
Strategy proposal document highlighting potential synergies between direct delivery and MSD activities, potential risks and challenges, and a mitigation plan for addressing identified challenges
Documented recommendations and contributions for the Iqlaa Annual Workplan.
Documented inputs on operationalizing MSD partnerships
Timeframe / Schedule:
Estimated LOE is 20 days between February - August 2024
The Consultant will report to:
MSD Technical Director, Iqlaa
The Consultant will work closely with: Jordan Country Director, CoP - Iqlaa, DCOP, Technical - Iqlaa, DCOP, Operations - Iqlaa, Youth Employment Director - TSU, Market Systems Director - TSU
Required Experience & Skills:
Bachelor’s degree required. Formal training in Market Systems Development or M4P preferred.
5 to 7 years of experience providing increasingly proficient technical support in the relevant field of expertise that includes:
Preparing writing and analysis on proposal development.
Demonstrating strong theoretical and applied knowledge of the field of expertise.
Using integrated approaches and applying systems thinking.
Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in Market Systems Development technical work -including experience with program design, partnership building, technical advising, and/or learning and research.
Practical field experience, typically over the course of 2 years, that includes:
A combination of successful temporary duration field assignments (under two weeks), longer-term field assignments (two or more weeks), and/or living in a field location for an extended period to work in a country or field office.
Managing and implementing successful MSD programs
Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations, including travelling to insecure environments, is required
Familiarity with major donors such as USAID, DFID, the EC and relevant foundations and corporations.
Experience working in the Middle East required. Experience working in fragile contexts and humanitarian settings preferred.
Strong writing skills required.
Strong presentation and representation skills required.
Fluency in English is required
TO APPLY
In order to be considered, this application requires the candidate to apply to all three (3) related consultant postings titled:
Consultant – Market Systems Development Senior Consultancy – Remote
Consultant – Market Systems Development Senior Consultancy: PERMA – Remote
Consultant – Market Systems Development Senior Consultancy: IQLAA – Remote with travel to Amman (this posting)
Applicants must please submit the following to each related posting:
CV
A cover letter that addresses your experience directly related to elements detailed in the Scope of Work including the Required Experience and Skills section
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organisation 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.