Background:

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.

USAID’s Sustainable Water and Sanitation System Activity is a five-year program implemented by Mercy Corps, Sanergy, and Tetra Tech that aims to create sustainable and equitable access to clean water supply in the Kivus region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). USAID’s Sustainable Water and Sanitation System Activity will leverage recent changes in the DRC’s Water Law (15/026) and Policy (2015–16) to open up water and sanitation service delivery in North and South Kivu through more advanced business modeling and professional service provision. The Activity will build on lessons learned from previous water infrastructure programming to build a more sustainable WASH market system in eastern DRC.

Objective 1 of the Activity is focused on ensuring that implementation is accompanied by robust learning, including comparability across models and effective distribution of that knowledge to facilitate better informed decision-making among Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) service providers. The goal of this research is to de-risk investment and encourage the private sector/social enterprises to take the models to scale or replicate elsewhere. In addition, information about the impact of sustainable WATSAN business model(s) on the lives of the citizens living in disadvantaged target communities – in, marginalized women and youth – will be shared with wider audiences.

Research is an integral part of our learning agenda. Designed in a participatory manner within the program and taking into account the views of multiple stakeholders, the research aims to meet the needs of the program: the results feed into planning and implementation in a feedback loop during the program, and reinforces the core principle of the activity: "strategic collaboration, continuous learning and adaptive management".

Consultant Objectives:

The program is looking for an independent Research Advisor/Specialist to provide short-term technical assistance to the program by updating the existing research agenda, literature review and plan for research activities. The consultant will also advise Mercy Corps in the identification, recruitment and onboarding of a multi-year research partner.

Timeframe / Schedule:

This work will start as soon as possible (though start date is negotiable) with an estimated maximum of 70 billable working days. This time allocation may change depending on the needs and context, to be discussed and agreed between Mercy Corps and the selected consultant.

Consultant Activities:

• Review background information, existing research agenda and associated documents, and work with Mercy Corps to develop a plan for the overall assignment (The following activities and deliverables may be refined based on this plan).
• Update of the initial systematic literature review completed in the previous year, focusing on adding publications released since late 2021 and integrating additional studies on gender.
• Update research agenda based on existing literature review and new studies
• Review the status of the studies planned under the Activity and propose a plan for implementation of these studies
• Engage with local universities and centers identified as potential partners for North-South Research Collaboration and write draft North South Research Collaboration integration, engagement and implementation plan that specifies that specifies the opportunities for collaboration between the Activity and these universities and institutes, such as discussion spaces, collaboration modalities, legal requirements for collaborations, etc.
• Assist with the recruitment of a research partner - give feedback on draft ToRs, help to advertise/share the TOR, and help review offers and interview candidates
• Present to SWASSA consortium (and new research partner, TBC) above deliverables

Consultant Deliverables:

• Internal work plan included expected deliverables and time-frame
• Draft update of the literature review document
• A brief summary of the literature review ready for sharing with external stakeholders
• Updated Draft of research agenda
• Plan for research studies
• Draft North South Research Collaboration integration, engagement and implementation plan
• Feedback on recruitment process to Mercy Corps
• 1-2 page completion summary and live presentation

Mercy Corps responsibilities

Mercy Corps will provide the consultant with appropriate orientation, materials, space of work, and logistical support including travel and accommodation.

Reporting:

1. The consultant will report to the MERL Director of the Activity
2. The consultant will work closely with the research team, COP, DCOP, SRG, PaQ, MEL, Research and Learning Team at Mercy Corps HQ, and others.

Required Experience and Skills:

• 5-10 years of experience in conducting and managing academic or applied research in fragile contexts
• Masters or PhD in Environmental Sciences, Water Resources Management, Geography, Economics, Political Science, International Development, Public Health, or other relevant field
• Strong ability in various research management/project management tasks, including developing workplans, leading meetings, and coordinating tasks, and reporting on ongoing and completed research to key internal and external stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in research design and various sampling techniques and quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and sampling
• Strong ability to write and edit a variety of types of research product, including literature reviews, research agendas, reports, policy briefs, blogs, articles, PPT, Factsheets, short summaries, etc.
• Capacity to present research products to a large and diverse public with different profiles (academics researchers, communities’ leaders and authorities, government staff, donors, Activity team members, etc.)
• Ability to work in a culturally, gender and capacity diverse team
• Willingness to travel toactivity headquarters and intervention sites
• Fluency in writing, speaking, and listening in English.
• Proficiency in writing, speaking, and listening in French.
• Experience with participatory research methods, including Participatory Action Research and Participatory mapping

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Familiarity with and/or Experience in DR Congo or Central Africa
• Familiarity with and/or experience in the water and sanitation sector
• Knowledge of statistical analysis software (STATA and/or R) and qualitative analysis software (NVivo or Dedoose)

Instruction for Applicants:

Please include with your CV:

• A cover letter describing your motivation to apply for the position, and how your experience and skills prepare you for the position, and any other pertinent details
• Proposed total cost including cost per day
• Contact Information for at least 2 references

CVs can be submitted in either English or French.

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 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.

How to apply

To apply: http://app.jobvite.com/m?3BwLtmwc