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. Department SummaryMercy Corps’ Ukraine response meets the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Ukrainians and other war and conflict-affected people. In 2022 and 2023, Mercy Corps’ Ukraine response reached more than 2.5 million people with emergency cash, food, psychosocial support, and information campaigns. Nearly all our programming has been delivered in partnership with civil society organizations through a granting program that matches action with capacity strengthening. Building on a substantial program addressing needs through MPCA/Cash in the Eastern and Southern regions of Ukraine, the portfolio has expanded to include a Rapid Response Mechanism and resilience programming focusing on supporting local value chains and SMEs. The Position Mercy Corps Ukraine, as part of the expansion of its portfolio and commitment to localization in Ukraine wishes to make a significant investment in the development of its Protection and GESI team, and the P&GCB Advisor will be responsible for developing a comprehensive capacity building package that not just focuses on content but on professional skills including critical analysis, advocacy and external representation, substantive organizational behaviour change, results and learning across all its programmes and teams and in alignment with Mercy Corps Ukraine’s Response Strategy and the organizational Pathway to Performance Strategy. This will be a pivotal chance to develop Mercy Corps’ response and the Adviser should expect to be flexible, responsive and offer critical thinking and solution-oriented approaches. They should feel comfortable in challenging practices and understanding change. The Adviser should be particularly competent in capacity building for success with individuals and teams. Essential Responsibilities STRATEGY AND PLANNING
- Review and enhance Mercy Corps Ukraine’s GESI and Protection approaches in line with Mercy Corps Ukraine Response Strategy, and Mercy Corps’ Global Localization agenda.
- Develop a comprehensive capacity building package for the GESI and protection team that includes both content and professional skills including critical analysis, advocacy and external representation, substantive organizational behaviour change, results and learning across all its programmes and teams.
- Model and mentor team members on technical leadership in GESI and protection demonstrating how to learn, critique and consolidate practices.
- Foster an enabling environment for collaborative, inclusive, and mutually accountable GESI and protection work within the organization and with partners. TECHNICAL SUPPORT
- Provide input and/or lead on program design focused on or including GESI and protection, enhancing Mercy Corps’ approach to both Analysis and Assessment including fostering an understanding of quality evidence.
- Create and maintain systems to ensure technical coherence and promote creative programming across the programs portfolio with respect to GESI and protection which can be delivered by an independent team.
- Ensure teams understand and can take forward minimum standards in GESI and protection and are position to further develop these. Ensure that programme implementation is adhering to minimum standards and program staff are provided with tools and guidance.
- Establish a coherent and structured approach to evidence creation, management and dissemination that can be further developed by the teams.
- Contribute to new initiatives demonstrating how GESI and protection can drive forward positive change, leaving a substantive legacy for the Mercy Corps mission captured through various channels including written and behavioural.
- Review and develop strategies, guidelines, tools, standards and standard operating procedures (SoPs) that help not just program teams to implement programmes and provide necessary technical support on GESI and protection, where required but allow the GESI and protection team to take on this work at the end of the assignment. CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT & ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
- Develop a clear capacity development approach for both the GESI and protection teams and the wider Mercy Corps mission in Ukraine, including guidelines, tools, and standards.
- Provide intensive capacity development to Mercy Corps team members both in terms of GESI and protection but also in professional skills and competencies that will enable the teams to flourish, enhancing confidence and autonomy.
- Provide team members with information, tools, and other resources to improve performance and help them constructively identify problem solving options.
- Facilitate and contribute to Mercy Corps Ukraine’s learning and strategy related to GESI and protection approaches (through workshops, participation in evaluation or studies, preparation/review of tool kits, collection of data and other measurement). COORDINATION & REPRESENTATION
- Support the team in further developing representation on GESI and protection in the wider INGO and donor community, and relevant coordination forums.
- Support the team to further develop internal and external networks to support effective advocacy and outreach across stakeholders to promote GESI and protection within the Ukraine context. Supervisory Responsibility None but will be responsible for capacity building of the protection and GESI teams Accountability Reports Directly To: Program Quality and Standards Lead Works Directly With: GESI and Protection Team, Program Leads, Program Managers, MEL Lead, Subawards & Compliance Manager. Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders