Research and Learning Officer

Research and Learning Officer

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 now, and in the future.

Mercy Corps has worked in Jordan since 2003 to implement a variety of programs funded by global public institutions, as well as private donors to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable populations, build cohesive and civically engaged communities, and increase inclusive economic opportunities. Mercy Corps’ current portfolio in Jordan focuses on three domains: resilient individuals, strong communities and governance, and environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Mercy Corps integrates cross-cutting themes of youth, gender equality, and empowerment, governance, natural resource management, and technology.

The Program/Department Summary

The Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (IQLAA) is a five-year activity that aims to put Jordanian Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) on a path to recovery after the extraordinary crisis that the businesses have faced, help them access the safety net measures in Jordan, and, most importantly, regain productivity and growth.

Mercy Corps' approach to IQLAA integrates direct assistance with market systems development (MSD) interventions to support MSEs along the full journey from recovery to growth and resilience. Grounded in evidence-based, adaptive, and inclusive support, Jordan’s MSEs can emerge from the COVID-19 crisis stronger and more resilient, transformed through new ways of doing business and improved access to financial markets, and services. Understanding that women, youth, and people living with disabilities (PLWD) face unique constraints to starting up and leading resilient MSEs, Mercy Corps design will infuse a Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) lens throughout all interventions. Mercy Corps approach is committed to supporting MSEs to build back, formalize, and grow, emphasizing systems-level change, equitable opportunities, and a dignified work environment for all women, men, and youth, and PLWD in Jordan.

General Position Summary:

The Research and Learning Officer will be a part of the Research and Learning team and will oversee the day-to-day tasks related to research activities as requested. The team will

be responsible for supervising the design and implementation of all activities related to conducting research and market analyses, particularly those included under Component 1 of the Activity. The component focuses on research initiatives aimed at informing intervention design for IQLAA and influencing the private and public sectors in better serving Jordanian MSEs. S/he will work with the Research and Learning Lead and Coordinator to coordinate with Iqlaa research partners and external research consultants. S/he will contribute to the vetting of subcontractors, and coordinate with market actors and stakeholders to ensure their participation in and their feedback on Iqlaa's research activities.

Essential Responsibilities

Research and Partner Management

• Support research project implementation and ensure quality and timeliness of research project activities, outputs, and reports
• Supporting with the planning of workshops and dissemination events for the different research initiatives
• Closely work with the data collection team to ensure that the day-to-day data collection activities are carried out and data quality is maintained in the process
• Support with procurement processes to bring on board local research firms for research activities.
• Manage field teams to ensure the timeliness and quality of the fieldwork, including providing oversight/quality assurance of primary data collection as requested.

Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA)

• Contribute to the implementation of Iqlaa’s research and learning plan
• Support the Research and Learning Lead and Coordinator in research findings interpretation, dissemination, and application within and outside the Activity
• Ensure data collection tools and data collection teams are gender-sensitive and inclusive

Research Communication and Dissemination

• Contribute to drafting of research reports and soliciting and incorporating input from review team members within Mercy Corps and Partners
• Contribute to research briefs and/or other accessible summaries of studies
• Support dissemination and uptake of research results among target audiences, including through organizing events and presentations

Supervisory Responsibility

●None

Accountability

Reports Directly To : Research and Learning Coordinator

Works Directly With : Research and Learning Lead, Program Quality and Learning (PQL) Director, CLA Manager, MEL team, Program Leads, Inclusion Lead, Iqlaa Partners, External Research Consultants

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, and 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.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field with experience in statistics or quantitative analysis (e.g. computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, economics)
• At least 3 years of relevant experience preferably with a broad range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, design, and analysis. Experience in an economic development project preferred
• Experience working with internal and external research partnerships
• Demonstrated skills with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies required.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate research findings, both visually and in writing
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to effectively gather and summarize large amounts of information from various sources
• Extremely strong writing skills, including past experience generating substantive written products (e.g. long-form reports, policy briefs, syntheses, etc.) excellent verbal communication skills
• Fluent in spoken and written Arabic and English

Success Factors

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem-solving.
• Ability to constructively engage in and bridge academic and practitioner discussions
• Versatile multi-tasker with the proven ability to organize and prioritize many urgent tasks.
• Proven ability to take initiative and be accountable for results.
• Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details
• Even temperament and a good sense of humor are appreciated.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and requirements

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 a 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 the 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 adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

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