About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
The Program / Department / Team
The USAID Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa) is a five-year USAID-funded program that started in 2022 and aims to support Jordan's HBBs and MSEs to grow, transform, and become resilient to future shocks. Iqlaa’s approach explores new ways of doing business and improving access to finance, markets, and services. The program focuses on four sectors: agriculture, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, and services, with a special focus on technology development and implementation. Iqlaa infuses a gender, youth, and social inclusion lens throughout all interventions.
The Research and Learning component within Iqlaa plays a central role in grounding the program's activities in robust evidence and informing the development of said activities through a rigorous research process. The Research and Learning component focuses on steering research efforts to bolster decisions and planning that are backed by data. Through the gathering, evaluation, and integration of information pertinent to Jordan's micro and small enterprises (MSE) landscape, it uncovers vital challenges, prospects, and the effect of various initiatives. Highlighting the significance of
methodical learning, it facilitates the ongoing refinement and adjustment of tactics in alignment with verified findings. This approach ensures the responsiveness of program endeavors to the prevailing economic and regulatory conditions, maximizing their impact toward achieving set goals. Engaging collaboratively with partners and stakeholders, this segment draws upon a wealth of shared knowledge and perspectives, creating a setting of growth and prosperity for MSEs.
The Position
The Research and Learning Coordinator will support the Research and Learning Lead, overseeing the creation and execution of formative research and market analysis efforts, and streamlining research activities to bolster Jordan's MSEs and HBBs, optimizing research efficiency, and catalyzing collaborative knowledge sharing among stakeholders. Charged with identifying key trends and sector-specific alignments, the coordinator supports the Research and Learning Lead in facilitating evidence-based decision-making that shapes impactful interventions within the scope of Iqlaa.
S/he will coordinate with project partners to facilitate their contribution to Iqlaa's research activities. S/he will contribute to the vetting of subcontractors, supervise their work, coordinate with market actors and stakeholders to ensure their participation in and their feedback on Iqlaa's research activities, and ensure that the know-how is being transferred to them with regards to conducting effective research that feeds into proper decision making.
Essential Responsibilities
Research
• Support research project implementation and ensure quality and timeliness of research project activities, outputs, and reports.
• Facilitate an inclusive process with project partners as well as MSEs. This includes planning and co-leading specific workshops and events, as well as day-to-day correspondence and check-ins.
• Collaborate with research partners as directed by the Research and Learning Lead to ensure the delivery of high-quality products for Mercy Corps and Partners.
• Supporting 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)
• Support the implementation of Iqlaa’s research and learning plan with the guidance of the PQL Director and CLA Manager
• Support the Research and Learning Lead in research findings interpretation, dissemination, and application within and outside the Activity.
• Collaborate with the Inclusion Lead to ensure that research processes and approaches are gender sensitive. Ensure data collection tools and data collection teams are inclusive.
Research Communication, Reporting, and Dissemination
• Support in drafting 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.
• Support with donor reporting related to research activities in Iqlaa.
• Work with the PPD Manager and the Research and Learning Lead on Result 1activities and outcomes.
SAFEGAURDING RESPONSIBILITIES
• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options
Supervisory Responsibility
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Research and Learning Team Lead.
Works Directly With: Primarily with the Research and Learning Team, Iqlaa’s higher management
(COP-DCOPs), Iqlaa’s Mercy Corps components, and partners.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, 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.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
● Master's degree in a quantitative field with experience in statistics or quantitative analysis (e.g. computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, economics) or a bachelor’s degree in international relations, Political Science, Economics, or Business Administration.
● If the applicant has an undergraduate degree, at least 3 years of relevant experience is required. If the applicant has a master’s degree, at least 2 years of relevant experience is needed. A broad range of quantitative and qualitative research methods, design, and analysis is needed. Previous experience in an economic development project is preferred.
● Experience managing or working closely with internal and external research partnerships required.
● Demonstrated skills with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies required. Significant experience with different study designs and processes, for example, randomized control trials, and sampling strategies.
● 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 experience generating substantive written products (e.g. long-form reports, policy briefs, syntheses, etc.) and excellent verbal communication skills.
● Fluent in spoken and written Arabic and English.
Success Factors
The ideal candidate will bring a genuine enthusiasm for research and a dedicated approach to driving progress in economic development through thoughtful analysis. Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to efficiently juggle diverse tasks are essential for delivering high-quality research promptly. Strong communication abilities are fundamental, given the role's need for close collaboration with a variety of partners and teams. The skill to distill and share complex research in a clear, practical format is key. Inclusivity and cultural sensitivity are also crucial, ensuring that all research is respectful and representative. Adaptability and continuous learning are valued for keeping pace with the dynamic nature of the project and embracing new research methods. As responsibilities grow, leadership will become essential for steering team members and partners toward research excellence. A proactive stance in problem-solving, along with the capacity for innovation, will distinguish a Research Coordinator who significantly advances Iqlaa's mission.
An analytical mindset and strategic thinking, combined with the talent to craft compelling stories from data, will enhance the Research Coordinator's contributions to Iqlaa. Moreover, a strong sense of responsibility towards participants and stakeholders will define their role as a respected and principled member of the research team.
Competencies
• Demonstrated ability to lead and 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.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Amman, Jordan or other Middle East Mercy Corps locations and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.
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 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 prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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 to 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.