Research Coordinator - Cash Consortium of Sudan at Mercy Corps

• The Research Coordinator is focused on increasing the impact of CCS programming through research and learning. The Research Coordinator will work with the CCS Secretariat, CCS partner technical leads and senior management to establish a consortium-level Research & Learning Agenda - aimed at both informing programming and supporting advocacy objectives - and with CCS teams to design research methods and disseminate, implement and apply findings from research and learning initiatives. The Research Coordinator will also work with regional and global-level stakeholders as relevant to link Sudan objectives with emergent themes in the regional and global discourse. The Research Coordinator will coordinate with the CCS Director and Secretariat team to support strategic representation of the partnership in key national and global coordination fora.

Essential Job Functions
Applied Research and Learning

• Develop and maintain the CCS Research & Learning Agenda (inclusive of themes that can be addressed both through ongoing program M&E data, ad hoc exercises such as FGDs and KIIs, as well as other initiatives that might require more intensive resources)
• Lead on the design, planning, and implementation of in-house CCS research and learning initiatives, and coordinate on-going and planned research initiatives with CCS partners and third-party consultants.
• Identify key topics for future research that are under-researched, and contribute knowledge to the wider cash sector (for example as relates to use of Group Cash Transfers, improving commitments to localization with cash programming, strategic development of financial services in Sudan’s crisis setting, potential linkages to existing social protection architecture, etc).
• Produce regular practitioner-oriented briefs on key takeaways from CCS program data and research & learning initiatives.
• Facilitate discussions with CCS Secretariat and partner team leads on how to integrate learnings within program design for greater impact.

Representation and Coordination

• With the CCS Director, promote awareness of CCS programming and best practices in all relevant forums.
• Maintain good working relationships with key global cash actors including CaLP, CCD, and high and level partners for cash financing. Develop relationships with the IASC and global UN agencies to influence where cash sits globally in coordination, with key donors, and key cash implementers. Identify areas of collaboration and cooperation.
• Develop strategic partnerships with local/national organisations, the private sector, academic institutions, and other international organizations, in order to strengthen research and advocacy initiatives, to test innovative approaches, and replicate and scale successful models and methodologies.

Advocacy

• Present research results through events (study launches, workshops), and advocacy products including success stories, briefs and reports on effectiveness of CCS programs.
• Partner with CCS Policy & Advocacy Coordinator to ensure advocacy initiatives are supported with strong evidence base.

Organizational Learning

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
N/A
Accountability
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: CCS Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: CCS Secretariat, CCS Partners, Mercy Corps Programs, Operations and Finance teams, Regional and HQ Technical Support Unit and HQ Research & Learning Team
Knowledge and Experience

• BA/BS or equivalent in international studies, economics, social science/research or other relevant field; MA/S preferred
• 5-7 years of international relief and development research & learning experience
• Strong policy awareness regarding humanitarian aid and development landscape; preference for past engagement with cash, markets and localization policy agendas
• Combination of direct and remote management experience preferred
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across multiple stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to consistently work with a diverse range of stakeholders with tact and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving
• Experience working with local authorities, national and international NGOs
• Flexible/willing and able to adapt priorities in order to respond to changing demands, including to shifts in organizational priorities.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills
• Excellent oral and written English skills required, Arabic skills preferred
• Ability to simplify complex concepts both verbally and orally in order to influence others.
• Experience in media and advocacy in I/NGOs desirable.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.