Mercy Corps is hiring a
Strategic Learning Advisor (CONSEILLER EN
APPRENTISSAGE STRATEGIQUE)
Le poste dépend d'un nouveau financement.
Mercy Corps est animé par la conviction qu'un monde meilleur est possible. Pour créer un monde meilleur, nous savons que nos équipes font leur meilleur travail lorsqu'elles sont diverses et que chaque membre de l'équipe a un sentiment d'appartenance. Nous accueillons des personnes d'origines, de perspectives et de compétences diverses afin d'être plus forts et d'avoir un impact à long terme.
Mercy Corps opère en République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) depuis août 2007, avec un personnel d'environ 400 personnes travaillant dans l'Est de la RDC. L'objectif global du pays est de soutenir les communautés vulnérables à travers les crises, tout en encourageant les programmes qui renforcent la résilience et favorisent le changement à long terme. Le bureau national de Mercy Corps se trouve à Goma, avec des bureaux secondaires au Nord-Kivu, au Sud-Kivu et en Ituri. Les principaux domaines de programmation de Mercy Corps RDC comprennent une combinaison de programmes de développement à long terme et de programmes de réponse humanitaire immédiate afin 1) d'améliorer la fourniture de services d'eau et d'assurer un accès équitable aux services d'eau, d'assainissement et d'hygiène, dans les zones urbaines et rurales ; 2) d'améliorer la sécurité alimentaire et la nutrition ; 3) de promouvoir des moyens de subsistance diversifiés, la reprise économique et le développement ; 4) de soutenir la consolidation de la paix et la gouvernance locale. Les programmes humanitaires de Mercy Corps RDC visent spécifiquement à aider les populations affectées par le conflit et la crise à l'Est du Congo.
Mercy Corps recherche un Conseiller en apprentissage stratégique (SLA) pour soutenir la mise en œuvre d'une activité de sécurité alimentaire résiliente (RFSA) de cinq ans de l'USAID pour la RDC. L'activité contribuera à la sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle des ménages et des communautés du Kasaï en RDC.
Le Conseiller travaillera en étroite collaboration avec l'ensemble du personnel pour s'assurer que les principes de collaboration, d'apprentissage et d'adaptation (CLA) sont reconnus et mis en œuvre en tant qu'éléments essentiels de la programmation d'RFSA. Ce membre du personnel assurera un apprentissage actif, intentionnel et adaptatif au sein des interventions et entre elles, et jouera un rôle essentiel dans l'intégration des activités de perfectionnement et de l'apprentissage dans la mise en œuvre. Le Conseiller (i) affinera, mettra en œuvre et rendra compte des initiatives d'apprentissage stratégique dans le programme, (ii) fournira une assistance technique pour élaborer et mettre en œuvre des enquêtes de haute qualité auprès des participants, (iii) soutiendra la gestion adaptative fondée sur des preuves par le biais de tableaux de bord et de la facilitation de la CLA, et (iv) renforcera la capacité de recherche, d'apprentissage et d'adaptation du programme et de l'équipe nationale. Ce poste jouera un rôle clé dans la mise en place d'un environnement de programmation fondée sur des données probantes et de gestion adaptative à tous les niveaux. En outre, le Conseiller améliorera l'engagement communautaire, l'apprentissage entre pairs, la saisie, le partage et l'application des connaissances, le renforcement des capacités basé sur les activités et l'utilisation des preuves et des données. L'ALS, en collaboration avec la COP et le personnel technique, assurera également une coordination et une planification conjointe appropriées et continues avec d'autres bureaux et missions de l'USAID et d'autres activités de donateurs, initiatives du gouvernement hôte et acteurs du secteur privé. Le poste exige des compétences de haute qualité en matière d'analyse et de rédaction de rapports qui peuvent être utilisées pour rédiger/réviser des rapports et des mémoires techniques cohérents et de haute qualité qui sont développés en tant que produits d'apprentissage. Il/elle doit être capable d'utiliser des approches d'apprentissage traditionnelles et numériques pour développer et mettre en œuvre des moyens innovants, créatifs et efficaces pour saisir et partager stratégiquement les connaissances techniques, tirer parti des bonnes pratiques et améliorer l'efficacité de la mise en œuvre des activités.
Le Conseiller doit avoir une expérience avérée de la facilitation des processus d'apprentissage et de partage des connaissances, de la mise en place et de la gestion de systèmes de retour d'information dynamiques pour saisir l'apprentissage par l'expérience et les conséquences involontaires, et de la promotion de la collaboration entre les équipes et les organisations.
Responsabilités essentielles du poste**
À la demande du COP, représenter le programme devant l'USAID, les partenaires d'appui et les partenaires internes à l'agence de l'unité d'appui technique et de l'équipe PAQ, et d'autres parties prenantes du projet ou organismes professionnels.
À confirmer - le titulaire du poste travaillera en étroite collaboration avec l'équipe du programme MEL et avec des partenaires/collaborateurs de recherche.
Relève directement de : Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Lead
Travaille directement avec : DCOP, membres de l'équipe chargée de l'activité, équipes chargées des finances, de l'administration et des opérations, équipe chargée du programme régional au siège, unité de soutien technique au siège, équipe chargée de la performance et de la qualité du programme (PAQ), et organisations partenaires
Le candidat retenu sera capable d'effectuer plusieurs tâches à la fois, de prendre rapidement des décisions et de résoudre les problèmes de manière créative. Il/elle fait preuve d'initiative, de dynamisme et de beaucoup d'énergie, ainsi que d'une grande intelligence émotionnelle, de compétences constructives en matière de mentorat et d'une expérience avérée du renforcement des capacités des partenaires locaux. Il/elle sera reconnu(e) pour sa flexibilité et sa créativité dans la planification de projets et la mise en place de systèmes réactifs, et sera capable de solliciter et de comprendre des perspectives diverses, d'établir un consensus parmi une variété de parties prenantes, et de communiquer efficacement et clairement ses décisions.
Mercy Corps offre un ensemble d'avantages compétitifs pour les postes basés dans la province du Kasaï, qui est un lieu d'affectation non accompagné. Tshikapa est la capitale de la province du Kasaï, une ville rurale animée de 971.000 habitants où les acteurs humanitaires sont présents. Dans le centre de la ville, l'eau et l'électricité sont assez stables grâce au système d'alimentation en liquide et les hôtels, petits restaurants, magasins et banques sont raisonnablement accessibles. Il y a 3 hôpitaux principaux qui fournissent des services de soins de santé adéquats, avec des options d'évacuation vers Kinshasa ou les zones environnantes si nécessaire. Les lignes téléphoniques fixes, l'Internet et les réseaux mobiles sont disponibles, mais souvent à un niveau non optimal. Les températures se situent souvent entre 30-35 degrés.
Les bureaux auxiliaires de Mercy Corps connaissent des niveaux variables d'insécurité, la situation est étroitement surveillée par les soldats de la paix des Nations unies. Le transport aérien est nécessaire pour se rendre d'un bout à l'autre du pays. Les téléphones portables et le service cellulaire sont largement disponibles. L'Internet est disponible dans tous les bureaux de Mercy Corps. Il faudra se rendre sur des sites de terrain où les conditions de vie sont propres et sûres, mais rudimentaires. Il y a un certain nombre de services de santé disponibles avec des options d'évacuation pour les maladies graves. Il y a un accès raisonnable à la plupart des biens de consommation, bien qu'ils puissent être chers.
Les membres de l'équipe de Mercy Corps représentent l'agence pendant et en dehors des heures de travail lorsqu'ils sont déployés dans une affectation sur le terrain ou lors d'une visite dans une affectation sur le terrain. On attend des membres de l'équipe qu'ils se conduisent de manière professionnelle et qu'ils respectent les lois et les coutumes locales ainsi que les politiques, les procédures et les valeurs de MC à tout moment et dans tous les lieux où ils se trouvent dans le pays.
Apprentissage continu
Conformément à notre conviction que les organisations apprenantes sont plus efficaces, efficientes et pertinentes pour les communautés que nous servons, nous donnons à tous les membres de l'équipe la possibilité de consacrer 5 % de leur temps à des activités d'apprentissage qui favorisent leur croissance et leur développement personnels et/ou professionnels.
Diversité, équité et inclusion
La réalisation de notre mission commence par la façon dont nous constituons notre équipe et travaillons ensemble. Grâce à notre engagement à enrichir notre organisation de personnes d'origines, de croyances, de milieux et de modes de pensée différents, nous sommes plus capables de valoriser le potentiel collectif de nos équipes et de résoudre les défis les plus complexes du monde. Nous nous efforçons d'instaurer une culture de la confiance et du respect, où chacun apporte son point de vue et son authenticité, réalise son potentiel en tant qu'individu et en tant qu'équipe, et collabore pour accomplir le meilleur travail de sa vie**.**
Nous reconnaissons que la diversité et l'inclusion sont un parcours, et nous nous engageons à apprendre, à écouter et à évoluer pour devenir plus diversifiés, équitables et inclusifs que nous ne le sommes aujourd'hui.
Nous nous engageons à offrir un environnement de respect et de sécurité psychologique où l'égalité des chances en matière d'emploi est accessible à tous. Nous ne pratiquons ni ne tolérons aucune discrimination fondée sur la race, la couleur, l'identité de genre, l'expression de genre, la religion, l'âge, l'orientation sexuelle, l'origine nationale ou ethnique, le handicap (y compris le statut VIH/SIDA), l'état civil, le statut de vétéran militaire ou tout autre groupe protégé dans les lieux où nous travaillons.
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The position is contingent on new funding
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To create a better world, 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 has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007, with a staff of around 400 people working in Eastern DRC, with the overall country goal being to support vulnerable communities through crises, while fostering programs that build resilience and promote long-term change. Mercy Corps’ national office is in Goma with sub-field offices in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. Mercy Corps DRC’s key programming areas include a combination of longer-term development and immediate humanitarian response programs in order to 1) Improve water service delivery and ensuring equitable access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services, in urban and rural areas; 2) Improve food security and nutrition; 3) Promote diversified livelihoods, economic recovery and development; 4) Support peacebuilding and local governance. Mercy Corps DRC’s humanitarian programs aim specifically to assist populations affected by the conflict and crisis in Eastern Congo.
Mercy Corps is seeking a Strategic Learning Advisor (SLA) to support the implementation of a five-year USAID Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) for DRC. The Activity will contribute to food and nutrition security for households and communities in Kasai DRC.
The SLA will work closely with all staff to ensure principles of Collaborate, Learn, Adapt (CLA) are recognized and acted on as core elements of RFSA programming. This staff member will ensure active, intentional, and adaptive learning within and across interventions, and will play a critical role in incorporating refinement activities and learning into implementation. The SLA will (i) refine, implement and report on strategic learning initiatives in the program, (ii) provide technical assistance to develop and implement high-quality participant-based surveys, (iii) support evidence-driven adaptive management through dashboarding and CLA facilitation, and (iv) build the research, learning and adaptation capacity of the program and national team. This position will play a key role in helping build an environment of evidence-based programming and adaptive management at all levels. Additionally, the SLA will improve community engagement; peer-to-peer learning; knowledge capture, sharing, and application; activity-based capacity strengthening; and evidence and data utilization. The SLA, working with the COP and technical staff, will also ensure appropriate and continued coordination and joint-planning with other relevant USAID Bureaus and Missions and other relevant donor activities, host-government initiatives, and private sector actors. 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, leverage good practices, and improve the effectiveness of Activity implementation.
The SLA must have demonstrated experience in facilitating learning and knowledge sharing processes, in establishing and managing dynamic feedback systems to capture experiential learning and unintended consequences, and in fostering collaboration across teams and organizations.
● Work closely with M&E, research, and partner team members to develop comprehensive learning strategies and agenda during start-up, which are incorporated in annual workplans and regularly updated.
● Work with CoP and senior management team to ensure adaptive program management and CLA principles are incorporated at start-up and throughout implementation.
● Participate in the senior management team to set the strategic vision for the Activity, including how research will be integrated into the program design and implementation.
● Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
● Identify and share creative, efficient, and effective ways to share learnings and information, engage audiences, and facilitate collaboration.
● Design and facilitate regular, strategic planning sessions and learning events, assisting the program in a learning journey as well as development of its annual plans.
● Create a stakeholder map and stakeholder analysis to guide collaboration with other programs, initiatives and institutions to link program participants to sustainable outcomes and enable the program’s theory of change.
● At start-up, develop a program-wide strategy and supportive systems/structures for adaptive management and CLA.
● Develop and manage a plan for ensuring collaboration between local actors, other USAID-funded activity stakeholders, local government stakeholders, donor agencies, private sector actors and other implementers operating in the same target areas.
● Lead staff and partners in regular reviews of program activities to pause and reflect on programmatic learning based on implementation experience and monitoring data, to review and revise results chains and theories of change, and suggest programmatic changes.
● Capture and document changes made to program design as a result of formative and operational research findings and operation planning discussions.
● Lead and support learning events such as CLA workshops at all levels to ensure to review and reflection on the evidence and ensure it is captured into program design and implementation
● Work closely with COP, DCOP, M&E Lead and others to identify the program’s research and learning agenda and ensure it captures both Mercy Corps and USAID priorities.
● Work closely with M&E team and various technical teams to ensure the program is capturing and critically analyzing progress.
● Explore opportunities to collaborate with potential research partners, other programs and donors.
● Facilitate inclusive and gender-sensitive research processes and approaches, engaging local organizations, institutions, and women, to design and implement national- and community-level data collection tools and contribute to data analysis and meaning-making of results.
● Work closely with the M&E team to plan for and conduct the final internal performance review by the end of program activities
● Lead the team to create a plan to operationalize and build capacity in CLA practice across implementing teams and partner organizations, including creating a culture of learning and systems thinking to stimulate an adaptive, iterative management approach;
● Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop, review, and maintain an excellent knowledge management system, including regular reflection and analysis of program monitoring data and production of evidence-based recommendations and reports.
● Assist the M&E Lead in other M&E-related capacity building activities, e.g. through the development of learning toolkits or by setting up webinars or brown bag meetings.
● Promote and nurture a culture of reflection, critical thinking and learning within the Activity and among staff and partners.
● Build the capacity of the M&E and other relevant program teams to design, analyze, rigorously interpret and present high-quality data from quantitative and qualitative research.
● Work with COP, DCOP, Communications Director and other program staff to document lessons learned from implementing key program interventions, and disseminate communication and learning products to showcase project successes and results.
● Produce high-quality learning briefs, case studies, white papers or other reports that showcase key insights from the program’s research and learning initiatives, as well as recommendations for the program, mission, agency and/or donors and other implementing partners.
● Concisely communicate key program insights from learning activities with program audiences in a concise and appropriate manner.
● Ensure close coordination and information sharing with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
● As requested by the COP, represent the program in front of USAID, support partners and agency-internal partners from the Technical Support Unit and the PAQ team, and other project stakeholders or professional bodies.
To be confirmed - the role will work closely with the program MEL team and with research partners/collaborators.
Reports Directly To: Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Lead
Works Directly With: DCOP, Activity team members, finance, administration and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit, Program Performance and Quality (PAQ) team, and partner organizations
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
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 projects.
● MA/S or equivalent experience in development studies, international relations, agriculture, nutrition, public health, research methods, knowledge management or a related field.
● Minimum 3 years (5+ years if only undergraduate degree) of related work at a program or country level, including supervising staff. Proven use of program technology in a M&E function required.
● Demonstrated experience in facilitating learning and knowledge sharing processes, in establishing and managing dynamic feedback systems to capture experiential learning and unintended consequences, and in fostering collaboration across teams and organizations.
● Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management and developing performance monitoring plans that support learning agendas and contribute to program efficacy.
● Experience with theoretical and practical background in research and skilled in participatory qualitative and quantitative methodologies and techniques, including experience in planning and managing surveys and developing and refining data collection tools required.
● Strong qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills and knowledge:
● Knowledge of and prior experience of using M&E and CLA technologies required. Ona/CommCare for data collection, Tableau or Power BI for data visualization and reporting preferred.
● Familiarity with M&E and CLA approaches to measuring behavioral and normative change at the individual, interpersonal, community and societal levels required.
● Familiarity with competencies-based approaches to agency and empowerment preferred.
● Excellent written communications, including the ability to tailor communications to program and policy audiences at multiple levels.
● Experience with gender and social inclusion analysis frameworks preferred.
● Experience working on USAID programs is essential.
● Previous experience living and working in challenging or insecure environments.
● Prior experience working in DRC and/or eastern DRC is highly desirable.
● Fluent oral and written French.
● Strong oral and written English and Tshiluba language skills are highly desired.
The successful candidate will be capable of multitasking, rapid decision-making, and creative problem-solving. S/he has initiative, drive and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity strengthening of local partners. S/he will be known for flexibility and creativity in project planning and building responsive systems, and is able to solicit and understand diverse perspectives, build consensus among a variety of stakeholders, and effectively and clearly communicate decisions.
Mercy Corps offers a competitive benefits package for positions based in the Kasai province, which is an unaccompanied duty station. Tshikapa is the capital of the Kasai Province, a lively rural city of 971,000 inhabitants where humanitarian actors are present. In the city center water and power are quite stable thanks to the cash power system and hotels, small restaurants, shops and banks are reasonably accessible. There are 3 main hospitals which provide adequate health care services, with evacuation options to Kinshasa or surrounding areas as required. Telephone landlines, internet and mobile network capacity exist but are frequently at a less than optimal level. The temperatures is often between 30-35 degrees.
Mercy Corps' sub-offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There are a number of health services available with evacuation options for serious illnesses. There’s reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.
Ongoing Learning
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.
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.