Markets in Crisis Learning Advisor
Description
Background:
CRS and Mercy Corps co-host the Markets in Crisis Community of Practice (MiC CoP) which aims at enhancing and supporting the collaboration of a diverse group of emergency and development practitioners from multiple regions, so that they apply good practices to design and implement high quality market-based programming (MBP) in crisis contexts. Officially created in February 2014, the MiC CoP provides a platform for various actors engaging with markets in crisis-affected contexts to discuss ideas and experiences, share resources and learning, and foster greater collaboration to improve market-based programming in practice. MiC aims to facilitate links between those whose work focuses on crisis responses and those who are more concerned with longer-term market functioning and development. MiC members come from diverse backgrounds: NGOs, donors, academics, UN agencies and the private sector. The MiC platform offers a range of ways for community members to engage – through an online discussion group, a searchable resource library, webinars, networking events, calls for evidence, and facilitated live discussion forums.
Collaboration and inclusion are at the heart of the MiC Hosting Consortium’s vision for the future of the MiC CoP. Since its inception, MiC has been overseen by an experienced advisory committee (AC), whose role is to provide strategic and operational direction to the MiC CoP – developing its learning plan and annual priorities, providing technical inputs to learning events and knowledge products, and representing the CoP to stakeholders.
Purpose / Project Description:
The MiC Learning Advisor will be a part of an integrated cross-organizational team from CRS, Mercy Corps, the MiC Advisory committee (a diverse body of practitioners who provide hands-on support to MiC), with the remit of supporting critical sector-wide learning on market-based approaches in crises and improved, localized learning and exchange via MiC.
Consultant Objectives:
The consultant will be primarily responsible for: a) driving the development and implementation of a high-level learning plan to guide CoP learning activities and to reflect CoP demand and priorities, b) to operationalize the learning plan via close collaboration with the Advisory Committee and the CoP by organizing and facilitating relevant identified activities (webinars, in-person activities, blogs, facilitated online discussions, etc.), and c) overseeing the development and implementation of a Strategy and Sustainability plan. The consultant will work in deep partnership with dedicated lead staff from Mercy Corps and will work closely with the AC, members of the MiC community, the MiC governing body, and consultants who support specific MiC learning activities.
Consultant Activities:
- Oversee the evolving MiC high-level learning plan and activities, including, but not limited to:
- Leading the development and implementation of MiC’s high-level learning plan, including collaborating closely with the AC, CRS, a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), and others involved in the process
- Technical input and strategic orientation to learning plan deliverables (e.g. events, written products, facilitated exchanges) and other MiC learning priorities, with an eye to ensuring high technical quality, user-friendliness, and relevance to the MiC membership
- Drive the dissemination of key lessons that emerge from MiC workstreams
- Support inclusive engagement on the MiC discourse platform relevant to critical learning topics, in close partnership with the CRS team
- Work with MiC AC members to ensure continuous relevance of the planned learning activities
- Oversee the MiC’s Strategy and Sustainability process and a resource mobilization plan
- Coordinate with the Strategy and Sustainability consultant and provide input and support operationalization of a high-level MiC strategy, including supporting quality engagement from the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), AC, and hosting consortium
- Support the development of the MiC sustainability and resource mobilization plans
- Lead the operationalization of resource mobilization efforts, including providing strategic oversight as well as management of the process (including coordination of the AC and hosting consortium)
- Across workstreams mentioned above, oversee the technical contributions of key stakeholders, ensuring quality of outputs in-line with workplan timelines
Consultant Deliverables:
Deliverables will vary based on the evolution of workstreams under MiC, including, but not limited to:
- High-level learning plan with 5-6 learning activities
- Agendas, emails, notes and outputs from meetings related to the learning focus and technical content supported via MiC
- Plans, communications, and report-outs from activities focused on (a) improving localized engagement and (b) the evolving MiC learning agenda and activities
- Relevant contributions to workplans and scopes of work for MiC workstreams
- Planning, facilitation, and outputs from relevant learning events, either remote or in-person as relevant
- Inputs, review, and oversight over the technical quality of MiC learning products
- Inputs, review, and oversight of the MiC Strategy and Sustainability plan
- Resource mobilization deliverables, including management of a workplan and stakeholder engagement, as well as oversight and/or development of fundraising materials as needed
- Relevant posts and facilitation of discussion on the MiC discourse platform
Timeframe / Schedule:
28 days of work between September 15, 2025 – December, 31, 2026
The Consultant will report to:
Director – Market Systems
The Consultant will work closely with:
CRS staff and consultants who support MiC, the MiC AC, members of the MiC community, the MiC governing body, and consultants who support specific MiC learning activities.
Required Experience & Skills:
- 5+ years of experience of increasingly proficient management and/or technical support in MSD programming, with at least one job experience in a well-reputed MSD project.
- Prior experience facilitating learning through communities of practice
- Experience providing programmatic support on market-based approaches in crisis, such as supporting market systems analysis, capacity strengthening on market systems approach in crises, and/or advising on programmatic and learning activities to improve market-based humanitarian response
- Strong technical expertise in MSD, including in-depth experience applying MSD principles to specific sectors (e.g. employment, agriculture, etc.)
- Proven experience assessing markets and working with private sector partners
- Experience working across different geographies, and more specifically in fragile environments
- Strong ability to understand, manage and communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders and complex relationships at multiple levels of the organization
- Experience of capturing learning for learning briefs, case studies, or research outputs
- Willingness and ability to travel in support of MiC learning activities
- A proven proactive approach to work and self-driven leadership
- Fluency in English is required, with strong written and oral communication skills
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.
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.
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.
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.