Research and Learning Technical Manager

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four outcome areas: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently, we operate in six regional states Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good.

Position Title: Research and Learning Technical Manager

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Open Position: 1

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps seeks a Research and Learning Specialist for the Hilton-funded Research for Innovative and Sustainable Water in Ethiopia (RISE) project. The project will work to establish and strengthen reliable, affordable, and sustainable water supply services in the targeted woredas (Dera, Farta, and North Mecha) by exploring the potential of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). While PPPs are considered an alternative approach to enhance water service delivery by mitigating capital constraints in resource-limited environments, the Mercy Corps team recognizes that the model must be fit for purpose to ensure successful PPP implementation. Various PPP arrangements, including management contracts, leases, and full concessions, can crowd in additional resources and expertise needed to improve water service quality and delivery. While PPPs can improve water supply services' functionality and sustainability, the PPP model's viability and type must be selected based on key enabling factors and local market characteristics. To better determine those factors and validate the appropriate PPP model, the RISE team will conduct a series of evaluations before establishing any PPP model(s).

To assess the viability of a PPP model, RISE will employ a systematic approach, beginning with a series of interrelated comprehensive evaluations across three target woredas. These evaluations will be guided by five key categories of enabling factors:

• Infrastructure: Assessing the current condition of water supply infrastructure in the target areas and identifying necessary investments and rehabilitation efforts to enhance functionality and expand coverage.
• Market: Examining the demand for water supply services in the three woredas, including variations across different regions and population segments. Factors influencing water consumption patterns and affordability will also be explored.
• Policy and Regulatory Framework: Analyzing existing policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks related to water supply, PPPs, and rural development at both the national and regional levels. This assessment will determine how these policies either support or hinder the implementation of a PPP model for water supply service delivery.
• Stakeholder Commitment and Capacity: Evaluating the readiness and capacity of local stakeholders, such as government agencies, private sector entities, and community-based organizations, to engage in a PPP model for water supply services. This assessment will also identify potential roles, responsibilities, and levels of commitment among these stakeholders.
• Financial Constraints and Risks: Identifying the financial constraints and risks associated with implementing a PPP model across the three woredas. This evaluation will explore potential revenue streams and funding sources to ensure sustainability, affordability, and future expansion of water supply services.

General Position Summary

The Research and Learning Technical Manager is responsible for designing and executing the RISE projects strategic research and learning agenda and supporting the market demand forecast and capacity assessment. S/he will play a crucial role in guiding the learning objectives of the RISE project, ensuring high-quality data collection and analysis, disseminating research findings effectively, and creating a PPP toolkit which will include guidance notes and templates to facilitate replication elsewhere in Ethiopia, where appropriate. The toolkit will look to simplify and standardize the entire PPP process of structuring, procuring, and managing PPPs specifically for smaller-scale projects.

Essential Job functions

Design and Execute RISEs Research and Learning Agenda

• Collaborate with the RISE team to design comprehensive research and learning strategy that defines the project's learning objectives. Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Lead the execution of the research and learning strategy, overseeing the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data.
• Effectively communicate research findings and learning outcomes to internal and external stakeholders. Working with a Knowledge Management and Communications Consultant, employ the use of traditional and digital learning approaches to develop and implement innovative, creative, and effective ways to strategically capture and share technical knowledge, such as webinars, podcasts, blogs, infographics, videos, etc.
• Develop and implement strategies to disseminate research outputs through various channels, ensuring accessibility and relevance.
• Work closely with the PPP Expert, RISE team, and local partners to ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of program activities and results.
• Facilitate learning events and workshops for internal and external audiences, such as staff, partners, stakeholders, donors, etc., to share the research findings and recommendations from the program.
• Based on the process and learning of the RISE project, develop a PPP Toolkit focused on preparing and designing fit-for-purpose, downscaled PPP models in fragile and resource-constrained environments.

Support Market Demand Forecast:

• Provide technical inputs on the methodology and questionnaire for the affordability and willingness-to-pay surveys developed by the PPP Expert.
• Design and conduct training sessions for the Amhara-based enumerators on survey methodologies, emphasizing best practices in data collection, management, and processing.
• In coordination with the PPP Expert, provide in-country technical guidance to the Amhara-based enumerators to collect additional data needed to evaluate water demand from residential customers, commercial customers, and water truckers.

Evaluation and Learning Documentation and Reporting

• Coordinate reporting with local partners, specifically tracking deadlines, ensuring adherence to monitoring formats and requirements, ensuring reporting quality and accuracy, and periodic report writing, editing, and submission.
• Write/review consistent, high-quality reports and technical briefs that are developed as learning products, using clear language, accurate data, and relevant evidence.
• With support, document and disseminate the lessons learned and best practices from the program to various platforms and networks, such as websites, social media, newsletters, journals, etc.

Knowledge and Experience

• Masters degree or higher in research methods, social sciences, economics, mathematics, statistical methods, econometrics, public policy, public health, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in conducting and managing research and learning activities, preferably in WASH related projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Proficient in participatory qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, data analysis tools, and statistical software such as CAPI, mobile-based data collection tools, and statistical software such as Epi Info, SPSS, STATA, R, etc. Moreover, experience in planning and managing surveys, developing and refining data collection tools and ensuring data quality is required.
• Proven experience in providing technical guidance for data collection and management, including knowledge of best practices in survey implementation is required.
• Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate regular, strategic planning sessions and learning events, assisting the program to establish and manage dynamic feedback systems and capture experiential learning is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated working experience in Ethiopia, preferably in Amhara Region, on water-related research activities is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English and Amharic is required. Proficiency in another local language is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present research findings clearly and compellingly is required.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders are required.

Reports Directly to: Team Lead

Works Directly with: Team Lead, PPP Expert, Project Officer, Project Coordinator, Global Water Security Team, Global Infrastructure Team, and administration/operations team.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Understand and aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute for the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute in the execution)
• Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with a team member, partners and program participants.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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

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 worlds 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 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. 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 elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.