Description
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. Mercy Corps partners 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 has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007, with a staff of around 400 people working in Eastern DRC, with the overall country goal being to support vulnerable communities through crises while fostering programs that build resilience and promote long-term change. Mercy Corps' national office is in Goma, with sub-field offices in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. Mercy Corps DRC's key programming areas include a combination of longer-term development and immediate humanitarian response programs to 1) Improve water service delivery and ensure equitable access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services, in urban and rural areas; 2) Improve food security and nutrition; 3) Promote diversified livelihoods, economic recovery and development; 4) Support peacebuilding and local governance. Mercy Corps DRC's humanitarian programs aim specifically to assist populations affected by the conflict and crisis in Eastern Congo. In September of 2023, Mercy Corps signed an agreement with the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA-USAID) to implement the Graduating to sustainable Agriculture, Income, Nutrition, and food Security (GAINS) Program. GAINS is a five-year, USD 105.7 million Resilient Food Security Activity (RFSA) to sustainably improve Food, Nutrition, and Economic Security (FNES) in Kasai through two Purposes and five Sub-Purposes.
Purpose 1: Strengthened Livelihoods and Increased Incomes SP1.1: Improved usage of credit and capital SP1.2: Increased profitable, diverse enterprises and IGAs SP1.3: Increased sustainable agricultural production
Purpose 2: Improved utilization of quality food among vulnerable people SP2.1: Improved maternal, infant, and young child nutrition behaviors (MIYCN) SP2.2: Improved WASH behaviors The Mercy Corps-led GAINS consortium includes four international (World Vision, AVSI, and IITA/CIP) and five local (Action Paysanne, APC, Inter-Actions, SDC, SANRU) organizations. The design of GAINS is guided by four foundational principles - locally-led and people-centered, sensitivity to power and conflict dynamics, and landscape vision for climate adaptation at scale. GAINS will be implemented through a multi-sectoral and gender transformative approach to address social inequalities, unequal power relations, and other aspects of marginalization affecting women and girls. To ensure program activities are best placed to impact upon these domains, a Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) analysis is needed to understand better the existing dynamics and inequalities that persist between female and male participants across age and other intersectional factors, and how these negatively affect the role of women in particular in food production, food and resource distribution within the household, and access to livelihood opportunities generating additional income. Specific attention will be paid to variations in these relationships across different geographical and health zones (HZs), displacement, economic status, and ethnic and religious groups. This study will play a key role in filling identified knowledge gaps during the design of GAINS and in informing program strategies to reduce inequalities and maximize impact on nutrition and livelihood-related outcomes.
Objectives of the Analysis The specific objectives of the study are designed to inform the GAINS project. GAINS's Theory of Change is built around women's and youth's equal ability to build demand-driven knowledge and skills, access income-generating activities, improve nutrition and sanitation practices and participate in community governance for more resilient, equitable and economically secure communities.
Specific objectives of the analysis: Explore the customary and contemporary expectations for female and male participants across age groups and other intersectional factors and how they adhere to and contradict the institutional regulations [Institutional norms and practices]. Examine intra-household division of labor and gender disparities in workload distribution. [Roles and Time Use] Explore the understanding of asset control and management in the household and decision-making processes. [Asset Control and Resources] Understand the household’s food access and distribution dynamics across age ranges. [Decision-making] Identify trends in GBV incidents and reporting and how the community and GAINS can mitigate any harm to participants. [GBV and do no harm] Identify changes in social relations and gender norms in the communities, focusing on trends that positively influence more equitable behaviors and practices. [Positive change and community support] *At the household level, special attention will be given to capturing differences between polygamous and non-polygamous households and how dynamics vary between the two.
Methodology: Mercy Corps requires the engagement of a consultant to support key steps of the GYSI analysis process. While the study efforts will be led in country by Mercy Corps' Regional GESI Advisor, with support from the GAINS GESI Lead,
a consultant is required to help with the refinement and updating of the literature review, development of all study tools, working closely with the team during the analysis process and to copy-edit the final report. The analysis, in particular, will be a team effort where the consultant will help set the analysis framework and conduct qualitative data analysis along with our GESI and MEL experts in the country. Finally, the consultant will lead the development of a final study product to BHA, in the form of a Word document and PowerPoint presentation. To ensure the relevance and scalability of the social inclusion and social and behavior change activities, participants will be purposefully selected to be broadly representative of the diversity in the social, cultural, and economic composition of the population across the program area. The study will commence with a desk-based review of the rapid analysis conducted by MC in April 2023 to assess whether any new relevant information has become available, especially regarding the institutional framework. Key identified information gaps will be built into the proposed research questions and used to inform study tool development. Primary data collection will consist of group activity sessions with adult females and males and youth, including for example the Photovoice method, as well as in-depth interviews to explore more sensitive topics such as perceived risks, GBV and decision-making processes, and semi-structured key informant interviews with relevant community leaders. It is envisaged that the consultant will work remotely and in close collaboration with the GAINS team and the Regional GESI Advisor. The GYSI study will be a collaborative consortium effort, where tools development and analysis will include the input and feedback of key stakeholder partners.
Mercy Corps Responsibilities Mercy Corps will provide the Consultant with the necessary support to undertake and implement the assignment and execute the objective of this SoW. Such responsibilities include:
Provide relevant documents and technical support to the Consultant. Orient the consultant on any relevant program and institutional information. Support the desk review process with the consultant by providing documents (if necessary) and feedback. Provide backstopping service in study design, tool development, data collection, data analysis, and report finalization process. Arrange the data collection plan, hire and manage enumerators, and allocate field supervision to liaise timely with the consultant for technical support. Monitor regularly, provide feedback, and ensure the effectiveness of the study. Disburse payment as per the agreed schedule in the Consulting Contract. Hire enumerators for data collection. Deploy data collection team. Provide in-depth training in qualitative data collection methods, facilitation, observation, and note-taking skills to the enumerators. During the training period, Mercy Corps will guide the enumerators on how to collect program-specific data and assess key criteria during the training period. The enumerators will also be instructed on the necessary data requirements, such as activity and location. Additionally, they will be trained on how to ask specific and concise questions to gather accurate information from respondents. Support the documentation of collected data on the field. Ensure translation of data collection tools in French and local language (if necessary). Consultant Responsibilities The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
Support the Gender and Youth and Social Inclusion (GYSI) analysis efforts, using a qualitative research approach, to identify inclusion-related findings across the GAINS program. Request any information from the program team that may be critical to support the development of the GYSI study. Participate in consultation calls during the tools development and analysis process, especially when learning about and discussing preliminary findings. Maintain regular professional contact with the project team and Regional GESI Advisor on the progress of the deliverables. Be available to clarify questions and drafts. Provide quality drafts and final deliverables as per schedule. The list of deliverables is as follows: Deliverables A comprehensive literature review report. Refine the proposed study methodology in the initial Scope of Work and develop study tools in collaboration with the Regional and Program Level GESI leads. The study tools will be pilot tested by the team in-country and the consultant will lead on revising inputs afterwards. A thorough copy-edit of the draft GYSI analysis report including an executive summary, background, social inclusion analysis scope, methodology, findings and limitations, recommendations, and end notes and annexes. An action plan may also be included as part of the report depending on the project's ability to run a workshop prior to report submission. A PowerPoint presentation that illustrates the key sections of the report. A GYSI action plan includes activities, desired outcomes, and roles/responsibilities. Skills and Knowledge Requirements Have a minimum of five to seven years of experience in intersectional gender analysis. Specific experience and expertise in gender analysis, gender mainstreaming/gender integration in complex, multi-sectoral programs; ideally within a USAID/BHA-funded Resilient Food Security Activity (RFSA). Extensive research development skills and capacity-sharing experience; significant advantage if this experience has been guided by feminist research approaches. Experience in participatory approaches; development of tools for focus group discussions and conducting face-to-face and virtual interviews, processing and analyzing qualitative data. Ability to work effectively and collaboratively under tight deadlines. MSc or equivalent required in Development Studies, Gender Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, or a related field preferred. Fluent in spoken and written English. Knowledge of French is a significant advantage. Analytical skills and knowledge of analysis platforms such as MAXQDA or NViVo. Timeframe The consultant is expected to work remotely for 20 paid days within a window period of March 2024 to June 30, 2024.
The consultant will report to: The consultant will report to the Program Performance, Quality, and Learning Director.
The Consultant will work closely with: The Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party, the GAINS Senior Management team, Regional Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor, GAINS GYSI Lead, Purpose 1 and Purpose 2, and M&E Leads, including relevant staff across the consortium.
HOW TO APPLY To apply for this opportunity, the consultant should provide the following documents:
CV A PDF document describing their understanding of the methodology, familiarity with research tools (including examples of PRA methods for group activities based on the research questions), experience analyzing qualitative data, availability for the study, and proposed daily rate. Mercy Corps' preferred method for the analysis will be MAXQDA, for which we have a license. 1-2 short writing samples. Diversity, Equity and 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.
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