Research Manager - Technical Support Unit (Open to other Mercy Corps locations)

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 from within.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps alleviates poverty, suffering, and oppression and works to build secure, productive, and just communities in over 40 countries around the world. Our Program Department supports field-led work that delivers measurable impact.

Mercy Corps' Technical Support Unit (TSU) is a key part of the Program Department. TSU subject-matter experts help set agency strategy and provide consultation – from assessment and design through project implementation and results measurement – to field offices worldwide, in some of the world's toughest places. TSU team members lead research, foster organizational learning, represent Mercy Corps to external audiences, and develop partnerships. The TSU is also integral to global business development and revenue.

Within the TSU, the Markets, Economic, Recovery and Growth (MERG) Unit supports the Agency's work in agriculture, market system development (MSD), employment and entrepreneurship, and economic recovery. Part of MERG's role is to lead field-driven research on markets and economic-related topics that builds evidence for field programs, increases our global influence, and informs the industry.

Under that research initiative, MERG is managing a grant to analyze digital payment systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings to understand when and how these systems might be able to enable affected populations coping and recovery. We want to answer the following question: Can the private sector and international organizations work together to break barriers to digital payments and drive greater acceptance to further inclusive economic growth? Building on market systems analysis techniques, this research will contribute to a deeper understanding of when and how key stakeholders can further the goal of inclusive digital economies. The research will also include recommendations for concrete and actionable next steps for humanitarians and the private sector, which could include a pilot project to test learnings, further research, product development or other recommendations. Mercy Corps will work in partnership with Mastercard and bring in other interested private sector partners, humanitarian actors and supporters to broader industry-wide learning. Mercy Corps is also pursuing additional research opportunities on agriculture and market systems development in fragile settings and those activities may be added to this scope of work, pending funding.

General Position Summary

This position will manage research activities within the MERG team, initially for the Mastercard funded grant and for additional activities, pending funding. It provides a great opportunity to drive research and engagement on key topics for market systems approaches in both development and crisis settings. It requires an understanding of market systems, a commitment to high quality, investigative research, and a deep curiosity about the systems and social networks that help people to cope and recover from crisis. The person in this role will leverage the resources and expertise of both development and humanitarian practitioners, bringing them together through research products, strategic meetings, and events. In addition to strong analysis and writing skills, this role will require someone who likes to get things done and has the hard and soft skills to manage and complete projects effectively.

Essential Job Responsibilities

strategy and research

• Oversee research strategy and manage plans to develop research products related to payments systems in crises, taking a market systems lens.
• Conduct literature review to synthesize existing research and gaps on payment systems in crisis settings, with a focus on digital cash, acceptance systems, and social networks, among other key themes. Identify key gaps and develop project research agenda based on these gaps.
• As needed, engage with sector experts through interviews and/or organizing convenings to understand the existing knowledge and needs.
• Oversee successful implementation of research activities and delivery high quality research products. This will include:
• Leading and conducting field research, including qualitative and potentially quantitative components
• Drafting, reviewing, and editing relevant briefs and reports
• Managing research consultants and overseeing their deliverables
• Managing final production of research products.
• Seek input and feedback from key internal stakeholder throughout design and implementation of grant.

communications and influence

• Manage regular communication and collaboration with donor and prepare relevant donor reports
• Drive strategy and manage Mercy Corps' efforts to seek input, share research findings, and influence other actors. This will include:
• Managing dissemination of research products
• Planning and managing meetings and workshops
• Overseeing strategy and managing participation in other events, such as the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with key influencers
• Manage internal communication and learning efforts so that lessons from research can help improve Mercy Corps pilots and programming and support other agency initiatives focused on using a syste-ms-lens in crisis response.
• Manage research grant, budget, and timelines, and prepare relevant donor reports.

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 toward 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

The position has supervisory responsibility over consultants, interns.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior Director, MERG

Works Directly With: Markets Economic Recovery and Growth (MERG) team, relevant field teams, Electronic Cash Learning Action Network (ELAN), Corporate and Foundations team, Research and Learning team

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required. M.A, M.S., M.Sc., in a relevant field.
• 5 to 7 years of experience in international development in research management, or advisory roles. Both field and HQ experience are beneficial.
• Experience conducting market systems analysis and/or implementing market systems development programs required. Knowledge of payment systems, financial services, and/or agriculture systems preferred.
• Experience designing, conducting, and managing qualitative research. Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize data into concise digestible formats.
• Excellent writing skills and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to produce compelling, polished, professional documents and presentations
• Ability to convene gatherings to increase and disseminate learning.
• Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate across multi-stakeholders at different levels in the organization. Ability to lead processes to conclusion.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to both Mercy Corps project field locations and places where Mercy Corps is not present, including traveling to insecure environments, is required.
• Fluency in English is required; competency in a foreign language preferred.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will have a deep-rooted curiosity and interest in better understanding the social and economic factors that affect how people engage with money in crisis environments. The candidate will have an ability to think strategically while acting tactically and will be invested in high-quality analysis and strategic partnerships to improve humanitarian response. With a background and interest in understanding the systems that support coping and recovery, a successful candidate will have the skills to shape, drive, and complete informative research. Good writing and editing skills are essential, as well as the experience required to shape a learning agenda and the initiative to drive it forward. The research manager will demonstrate flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving, learn quickly, take initiative and be accountable for results with an ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This position has locations in Portland, OR; Washington D.C.; and London, UK. The position requires travel at least 30% time to the field where living conditions may be exceptionally rugged or be in volatile environments where security protocols will need to be followed. When in the field the team member must able to work in remote settings, over weekends and/or evening as required by the schedule, and in settings with limited infrastructure, food options, and living conditions.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when 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.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps' vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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