Mercy Corps is hiring a
Location: Remote US or any Mercy Corps Europe office location
Position Status: Full-time, Regular
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.
Mercy Corps’ Technical Support Unit (TSU) is a key part of the Program Department. TSU subject-matter experts help set agency strategy and provide consultation to help our global teams apply the most effective solutions to the world’s toughest challenges, while building our global reputation and resources to do so. One of the teams within the larger TSU, the Resilience Technical Support Unit supports the operationalization of Mercy Corps’ global strategy by stewarding and championing the application of our resilience framework, working closely with programs across the development-humanitarian-peace nexus to integrate resilience practices and elevate results and learning to inform regional and global strategy and influence wider industry change.
The Senior Advisor is responsible for the development and execution of a capacity strengthening approach and corresponding adult learning material that supports Mercy Corps program, program support and operational teams to apply a resilience approach across our work. The position will work in line with the resilience framework articulated in Mercy Corps’ new global strategy, Pathway to Possibility. Drawing on and improving existing curriculum, tools and guidance, the Senior Advisor will operationalize and scale systems and processes for deepening the application of resilience across the agency, including improving user engagement and experience with resilience guidance, curriculum, and other technical support resources. Additionally, the Senior Advisor co-leads the Resilience Community of Practice, a critical cohort of resilience learners.
Specifically, this role will facilitate a learner-centered curriculum and capacity strengthening design process that defines key user groups; engages these groups in identifying their resilience learning assets and needs; inclusively assesses the ability of current curriculum and capacity strengthening modalities to support these groups; and defines the agency’s core models or pathways for resilience learning. They then drive the creation and/or strengthening of core resilience curricula, manage implementation of learning models/pathways, and enhance and maintain knowledge management systems for accessing and using these curricula and other resources. This includes through linkages to and outreach with resilience-focused programs and country teams to stay abreast and encourage sharing of up-to-date resilience learning and resources.
STRATEGY AND PLANNING (15%)
In close consultation with key agency stakeholders, develop a model and plan for consolidating and scaling the use of resilience curriculum, tools and guidance across the agency.
Identify and engage a stakeholder group representative of targeted resilience learners within country and regional programming roles and among key global program support teams for participation in a learner-centered design process
Facilitate inclusive process to assess the assets and needs of targeted resilience learners
In partnership with key stakeholders, articulate a learning model for resilience that includes both deep dive and lighter touch learning pathways, based on user needs and best practices in adult learning, knowledge uptake and behavior change
Work with other departments to evaluate online and in-person learning pathways and assess potential resource needs/costs for resilience capacity strengthening objectives
Lead on measurement and analysis of key performance indicators to inform ongoing strategic decision making around resilience curricula, and support adaptive management on capacity strengthening / learning pathways
CURRICULUM DESIGN / PROJECT MANAGEMENT (60%)
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY-SHARING (25%)
Supervisory responsibility over consultants.
Reports Directly To: Global Resilience Director
Works Directly With: Other Resilience Technical Support Unit colleagues; Strategy & Realization Unit; and regional / country program teams
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 field projects.
The Sr. Curriculum Advisor is creative, an inclusive collaborator and a “do-er”. A self-starter, they are motivated by a sense of urgency yet are comfortable taking the time to get the small things right. They can zoom in and zoom out, balancing an understanding for the larger picture while remaining focused on and able to work out the details to advance multi year objectives. Like all positions within the Technical Support Unit, this role requires strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, and a level of emotional intelligence proficiency that quickly builds and maintains productive relationships across teams. Being aware and sensitive to international development issues and diverse cultures is critical.
The position can be home-based, remote or based in any MC location where Mercy Corps has an administrative or country office; however, the candidate must currently reside in and hold a passport from the country in which they reside or prove that they have the legal right to live and work in that country. The role occasionally requires travel (25% or less) which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. The role collaborates with colleagues spread across multiple time zones; a willingness and ability to participate in remote meetings/calls outside of standard “8 to 5” working hours as necessary is part of the role.
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.
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.
As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. Any offers of employment or continued employment are dependent on the successful completion of the screens which include, but are not limited to our Background Check and Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme processes,
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.
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
Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status.
This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.
For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.