Estimated Duration: 3 months for Phase I, and 2 months for Phase II
Targeted Communities: Azraq, Dhiban, Mlaih, Shobak, Wadi Musa (Jordan)
** this opportunity is only open for national individual consultants. Companies or non-Jordanians are not eligible to apply.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps (MC) 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 thrive over adversity and build stronger communities from within. MC 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. MC’s current portfolio in Jordan focuses on three domains: resilient individuals, strong communities and governance, and environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. MC integrates cross-cutting themes of youth, gender equality and empowerment, governance, natural resource management, and technology.
About the Project
As one of the world’s most water-scarce countries, Jordan is at a critical juncture, grappling with escalating climate-related disasters, that pose a critical challenge to its humanitarian efforts, economic stability, and environmental integrity. Based on the 4th National Communication on Climate Change, in recent years, flash floods and heatwaves have become two of Jordan’s major hazards affecting the country’s water resources, agriculture, and economy.
Mercy Corps Jordan’s project, Tabeaa: Strengthening Climate Resilience in Jordanian Communities, is funded by the Z Zurich Foundation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The project will bolster efforts under Mercy Corps’ ongoing Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance (the Alliance) aligning with MC’s vision of fostering resilient communities capable of thriving amid climate challenges. The Tabeaa project works at both the national and local community levels. On a national level the project sets to drive systematic changes through engaging key stakeholders in localizing and enforcing Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies. On the local level, the project will focus their initiatives in five communities from various governorates, selected for their high vulnerability to flash floods, heatwaves, and water scarcity. The project’s approach is multi-faceted, concentrating on three main areas: enhancing the adaptive capacity of Jordanian communities, promoting the effective localization and enforcement of national climate policies, and fostering a supportive culture for increased investments in climate resilience initiatives.
About the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance (‘the Alliance’)
The Alliance is a multi-sectoral partnership powered by the Z Zurich Foundation. The Alliance draws from the humanitarian, NGO, research, and private sectors, including Concern Worldwide, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mercy Corps, Plan International, and Practical Action, as well a research partners the International Institute for Applied Systems and Analysis (IIASA), the London School of Economics, and the Institute for Social and Environmental Transition-International (ISET). The Alliance is focused on enhancing resilience to climate hazards in both rural and urban communities. Formerly the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, the alliance has over a decade of experience in generating evidence of communities’ current levels of climate resilience and identifying appropriate solutions. The alliance aims to achieve its overarching vision by implementing solutions, promoting good practice, influencing policy and facilitating systemic change.
Background and Rationale
Through Tabeaa project, Mercy Corps’ community assessments show that climate risks in Jordan are compounded by system inefficiencies, weak enforcement of land and water management, and degraded ecosystems. Eroded slopes, impervious urban surfaces, degraded or transformed wadis, and sparse vegetation accelerate runoff, intensify heat, and concentrate impacts where natural buffers are missing.
Hard infrastructure alone cannot address these drivers sustainably. Without restoring ecological function, it often transfers risk downstream, raises peak flows and erosion, and creates high operation and maintenance burdens that can fail over time. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer durable, context-appropriate measures that work with Jordan’s arid and semi-arid landscapes. By protecting, restoring, and managing vegetation, soils, and landform, NbS slow and guide stormwater before it reaches flood hotspots, stabilise wadi edges, improve infiltration where appropriate, and create cooler, safer public places. NbS also supports climate adaptation by reducing exposure and sensitivity to extreme events and strengthening the capacity of communities and ecosystems to cope over time, advancing both disaster risk reduction and water security. Using the Climate Resilience Measurement for Communities (CRMC) approach, MC worked with local communities to measure baseline resilience against floods and heatwaves, prioritize key gaps, and co-design initial options. Across locations, communities consistently called for cooler public areas and better use of natural features to manage runoff before it reaches flood hotspots.
This consultancy will translate this evidence into site-ready NbS designs for Azraq, Dieban, Mlaih, Shobak, and Wadi Musa. The consultant will verify priority sites and develop options suited to Jordan’s arid and semi-arid context as well as to local governance realities.
Consultant Overarching Objectives:
The consultancy has two main phases:
Phase I: Evidence review, problem definition, and option identification
With MC providing all available data and facilitating access to stakeholders, the consultant will:
- Review Tabeaa evidence (including CRMC results, hazard history, and prior studies).
- Consult with Tabeaa focal points to confirm risk drivers, constraints, and priorities.
- Ground-truth mapped hotspots and site conditions through field visits and consultations.
- Develop short diagnostic notes per location with hotspot maps and problem statements.
- Revisit and critically assess community-proposed solutions and add other feasible NbS options where gaps exist.
- Screen a shortlist of 2–3 practical NbS options per location against siting, feasibility, costs, O&M, permitting, and social/environmental considerations.
- Prepare an Intervention Plan for each location documenting the screened options.
Phase II: Design of selected solutions (Optional)
With MC leading procurement and implementation, the consultant will:
- Facilitate validation sessions with MCJ and community representatives to select two options overall (one small-scale and one medium-scale).
- Prepare full design packages for the two selected options, including drawings, specifications, hydrologic calculations, BoQs and cost estimates, construction method statements, simple safeguarding notes, and an O&M plan.
- Provide remote technical support during procurement and start-up to ensure quality implementation.
Note: Phase II is optional. Mercy Corps reserves the right to proceed or not with this phase after awarding. However, it must be fully priced and included in the tender submission, as pricing will form part of the evaluation process.
Consultant Activities & Deliverables:
This consultancy will run in two phases. Phase I is intended to produce a high-level Intervention Plan for each location. Phase II will develop ready-for-implementation designs for two selected options (one small-scale and one medium-scale). The activities and deliverables are set out below.
Phase I: Intervention Plans for Each Community:
- Activity 1: Kick off & inception:
- Participate in a kick-off meeting with MC.
- Review all available evidence provided by MC.
- Develop and agree with MC on:
- An Intervention Plan Template (covering intervention location, rationale, feasibility/ownership, high-level implementation notes, budget assumptions, expected impacts, sustainability, and inclusion/safeguarding).
- A data collection plan and tools (site inspection checklist, simple measurements, photos, consultation notes).
Expected Deliverables for Activity 1/Phase I: Inception report, with agreed intervention plan template and tools.
- Activity 2: Site verification and consultations:
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- Conduct field inspections with MC/community focal points.
- Collect qualitative input from community members and local authorities.
- Prepare short briefs for each hotspot including photos, measurements, and key observations.
Expected Deliverables for Activity 2/Phase I: Site verification briefs for all hotspots/areas in each location
- Activity 3: Option identification and validation:
- Develop 2-3 appropriate Nature-based Solutions per community.
- Complete Intervention Plans for each community using agreed template.
- Facilitate validation session with MC field team, community members and local authorities.
- Finalize Intervention Plans
Expected Deliverables for Activity 3/Phase I: Intervention Plans for each location including 2-3 NbS, and Visual presentation of proposed solutions, including maps, photos, diagrams.
Phase II: Detailed design and implementation (Optional):
- Activity 1: Selection and detailed design
- Facilitate MC’s selection of two options overall (one small-scale, one medium-scale).
- Develop ready-for-implementation design packages for the two selected options, including:
- Drawings and outline specifications.
- Hydrologic sizing/calculations.
- Bills of Quantities and cost estimates.
- Construction method statement.
- Safeguarding and inclusion notes.
- O&M plan (roles, responsibilities, and schedules).
- Guidance on timing of implementation.
Expected Deliverables for Activity 1/Phase II: Validation and selection brief naming the two options, and Full design packages for 2 selected options.
- Activity 2: Remote technical support
- Provide ongoing technical support during MC-led procurement and early construction.
Expected Deliverables for Activity 2/Phase II: Technical support notes as needed.
Timeframe, Schedule & Collaboration:
Phase I will take about three months from the contract start. Phase II will begin immediately after Phase I and take about two months. The consultant will propose a clear schedule with milestones and the exact number of working days required for each phase.
During Phase I, Mercy Corps will provide all relevant data and evidence, facilitate introductions to local authorities and community focal points, and support field access and meeting logistics. During Phase II, Mercy Corps will lead procurement and contracting, manage implementation, coordinate with authorities, and request and review technical clarifications. The consultant will provide remote technical support during procurement and start-up to ensure the designs are implemented as intended.
Application:
Interested applicants must submit their applications including the following:
- Consultant experience and qualification: Cover letter showing applicant proven expertise in NbS and adaptation measures, and CVs for the applicant and any team members.
- Technical Proposal: Interested consultant(s) must submit a technical proposal covering but not limited to the following:
· The methodological approach that will be followed by the applicant throughout the assignment, including the way in which the consultant intends to carry out activities to achieve the objectives mentioned throughout this ToR.
· Clear work plan with a detailed breakdown of tasks, LOE and dates as per the deliverable/ schedule identified above.
· Capability statement including: