Consultant – Deputy Field Coordinator. Humanitarian Access Team – Remote

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. Now, and for the future.

Purpose / Project Description:

As Syria has evolved into a protracted conflict increasingly playing out in cities, attention has moved to urban areas. Moreover, humanitarian needs are even more acute in these centers, due to their sheer size and complex interconnected systems. The cumulative impact of weakened or broken-down systems has also direct and indirect consequences. Building on three years of work, Mercy Corps, thus, aims to further contribute to better information and analysis of these urban areas for evidence-based planning, targeting and monitoring of humanitarian and recovery interventions. Focus will be on displacement, damage, shelter, essential services, infrastructure and livelihoods.

The Consultant is responsible for coordinating, consolidating, and ensuring smooth implementation of field research activities and adherence to logistic, human resource, administration and security procedures.

Consultant Objectives:

1. Assists in recruiting Field Researchers for Mercy Corps projects and other areas as requested in coordination with the Director of HAT and HAT Field Coordinator.
2. Liaise directly with Mercy Corps Field Researchers to coordinate their day-to-day data collection and triangulate their information to ensure accuracy.
3. Coordinate field research to align team effort with project plans, program objectives and strategic goals, and ensure project progress and implementation is punctual and accurate.
4. Coordinate with analysis teams to ensure punctual, concise, action-oriented reporting and communications from field researchers to analytical teams in Beirut and Amman.
5. Provide data/information from Syria on a regular basis and as requested by Humanitarian Access team analysts as per the task list / requests issued to the Field Research.
6. Assist the Humanitarian Access Team Analysts in responding to changing requirements
7. Establish and maintain sources of information/networks allowing a better analysis of prospective partners of Mercy Corps (organizations, stakeholder/vendors, Local Councils, IMTAs).
8. Train HAT Field Researchers on technical and security issues.
9. Develop data collection plans with the analysis team for specific projects.

Consultant Activities:

On request, The Consultant will:

1. Monitor emerging needs and / or deteriorating humanitarian situation (access, demographics, displacement, prices, availability of commodities, needs, presence of response actors, opportunities for response etc.).
2. Translate relevant information from Arabic to English and back.
3. Work in collaboration with Humanitarian Access team Analysts, to provide timely reports and data summaries.
4. Conduct his/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
5. Other duties as assigned.

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will:

• Coordinate data collection activities from three different HAT teams
• Assist with tool design, translation and review
• Review data coming from the field for quality and consistency
• Assist in the hiring of field researchers
• Work alongside analytical teams to ensure fluid completion of analytical tasks

Timeframe / Schedule:

• 6 months

The Consultant will report to:

The Consultant will have a direct reporting line to the Humanitarian Access Team Director

The Consultant will work closely with:

Field Coordinator, and Humanitarian Analysis Team

Required Experience & Skills:

• 3 years’ experience in field coordination and or research for humanitarian agencies, in Syria.
• Experience in training field researchers.
• Advanced knowledge, both written and spoken of Arabic (necessary), Kurdish ( an advantage), Turkish (an advantage), and English (necessary)
• Willingness and ability to perform field work (may be done remotely).
• An in-depth understanding of the Syrian conflict.
• Previous experience coordinating field research teams in Syria is a must.
• Previous experience training Field Researchers both in person and remotely is a must.
• Previous experience working in an M and E or TPM context in Syria is an advantage
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic.
• Previous experience with Mercy Corps is an asset.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated skills in planning, organizing field work.
• Computer skills – Word and Excel will be an asset, previous experience using KOBO Collect is a strong asset.
• Ability to work and interact with a diverse staff from different ethnicities and backgrounds.
• Ability to conduct oneself with sensitivity and respect toward others.
• Working knowledge of using Research Tool programs including Kobo Collect is required.

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.