Research and Learning Specialist

About Mercy Corps

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.

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four outcome areas: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently, we operate in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. 

Position Title: Research and Learning Specialist

Duty Station: Bahirdar, Ethiopia, with frequent travel to the target Woredas

Open Position:  1

Program / Department Summary

The Research for Innovative and Sustainable Water in Ethiopia (RISE) is a fifteen-month program that aims to explore the feasibility and suitability of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the water sector in Amhara region, Ethiopia. The program will conduct scoping assessments to identify the opportunities and challenges of privatizing water services, such as the capacity, information, and financial status of potential local actors, the governance and legal frameworks, and the performance and impacts of existing PPPs in the water sector. The program will also provide actionable recommendations to attract private-sector engagement and disseminate the research findings to various stakeholders at the local and national levels. The program hopes to create a model that can be replicated in other regions of the country. The program will be implemented in North Mecha, Dera, and Farta Woredas of the Amhara region.

General Position Summary

The role of the Research and Learning Specialist is to work closely with staff to lead on knowledge capture, analysis, and sharing. The position requires high quality analysis and report writing skills which can be used to write/review consistent, high quality reports and technical briefs that are developed as learning products. S/he should be able to employ the use of traditional and digital learning approaches to develop and implement innovative, creative and effective ways to strategically capture and share technical knowledge. The specialist, working with the team, will also ensure appropriate and continued coordination with other relevant donor activities, host-government initiatives, and private sector actors.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead on knowledge capture, analysis, and sharing for the RISE program, using various methods and tools, such as surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, case studies, stories of change, etc.

• Set-up the MEL system, including all tools and data collection processes for program activities (Excel, Tola, Access, etc.).
• Work closely with the program teams and local partners, to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of program activities and results.
• Coordinate reporting with local partners, specifically tracking deadlines, ensuring adherence to monitoring formats and requirements, ensuring reporting quality and accuracy, and periodic report writing, editing, and submission.

• Write/review consistent, high-quality reports and technical briefs that are developed as learning products, using clear language, accurate data, and relevant evidence.
• Employ the use of traditional and digital learning approaches to develop and implement innovative, creative and effective ways to strategically capture and share technical knowledge, such as webinars, podcasts, blogs, infographics, videos, etc.
• Facilitate learning events and workshops for internal and external audiences, such as staff, partners, stakeholders, donors, etc., to share the research findings and recommendations from the RISE program.
• Document and disseminate the lessons learned and best practices from the RISE program to various platforms and networks, such as websites, social media, newsletters, journals, etc.
• Ensure appropriate and continued coordination with other relevant donor activities, host-government initiatives, and private sector actors in the water sector, using effective communication channels and formats.
• Support the monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) system of the RISE program by providing inputs on indicators, tools, data collection, analysis, reporting, feedback, etc.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibility: NA  

Accountability

1. Reports Directly To: RISE Project Coordinator

Technical reporting:

Works Directly with the RISE program team, PaQ director, Data Analytics Manager, Country CARM advisor, Technical Sector Advisors, other support functions (Operations and Finance),

Knowledge and Experience

• Masters’ degree or higher in research methods, economics, mathematics, statistical methods, econometrics, public policy or a related field.
• Proven experience in research management, ideally in the context of public-private partnerships or infrastructure projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and share creative, efficient, and effective ways to share learnings and information, engage audiences, and facilitate collaboration.
• The ability to design and facilitate regular, strategic planning sessions and learning events, assisting the program in a learning journey.
• Experience with theoretical and applied research.
• Proficient in participatory qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and techniques, data analysis tools, and statistical software, including experience in planning and managing surveys and developing and refining data collection tools required.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills and knowledge.
• Excellent facilitating learning and knowledge sharing processes, in establishing and managing dynamic feedback systems to capture experiential learning, and in fostering collaboration across teams and organizations.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Understanding and experience in a cultural context – Demonstrated working experience in Ethiopia on water-related research activities.
• Language skills – Fluent English and Amharic are required. Another local language proficiency is highly desirable. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present research findings in a clear and compelling manner.
• Facilitation skills – Set the strategic vision for the program’s research management and technical knowledge sharing. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security, and social environment of Ethiopia. He/she will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. He/she will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures. He/she will have a good understanding of the roles that different data technologies play in high-quality MEL and how different datasets should be leveraged to provide information specifically needed for decision-making in different Ethiopian contexts. The successful candidate will be focused on team building and capacity-building of national staff, be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs, and maintain a sense of humor.

Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion

• Understand and be aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute to the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute to the execution)
• Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in day-to-day interaction with team members, partners, and program participants.

Accountability to Beneficiaries  

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Influence and Representation

• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

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. 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.

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.

Living conditions / environmental conditions

The position is based in the Bahir Dar Field office, and it requires up to 60% travel to the target woredas. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer, regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically  in Addition Applicants can submit their CVs to Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development office at Bahirdar which is located at Tana Sub-city, Kebele 13, immediately back to the ANRS Bureau of Education, adjacent to the ICAP project Office.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 20 October 2023/ 4:00 PM