Description

• Evaluate Mercy Corps’ current partner selection and engagement practices to identify ways to strengthen equitable, long-term, and locally led partnerships. 
• Provide practical, actionable recommendations to inform regional partnership strategies, program design, and expansion into new geographies, technical areas, and donor relationships. 

Consultant Activities: 

The Consultant will: 

• Design and implement various qualitative and quantitative data collection methods - such as surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs), and/or focus group discussions (FGDs) - to collect feedback from current partners and country team members on Mercy Corps’ added value, partnership strengths and challenges, roles in locally led contexts, and how Mercy Corps can improve and be more inclusive to local partners.
• Engage with (remotely and in person during travel to the region) country teams, program managers, MEL/CARM leads, and regional leadership to contextualize findings and ensure relevance across LAC.
• Review and assess existing partner selection, evaluation, and engagement criteria to identify opportunities to broaden and diversify the partner roster. 
• Conduct a comprehensive mapping of current and potential partners in the LAC region, including partner roles, capacities, gaps, and opportunities. 
• Analyze and synthesize findings from surveys, document reviews, and consultations into clear insights and lessons learned. 
• Produce and present key deliverables, including a reusable survey tool, partner mapping, and a final report with findings and prioritized recommendations for Mercy Corps LAC and global teams. 

• A finalized survey tool that can be used across various contexts and shared with other regions in Mercy Corps.  
• A mapping of current partners and potential new partners. 
• A comprehensive final report summarizing partner feedback, including qualitative and quantitative findings and recommended actions. 

 Deputy Regional Director for Programs, LAC 

• Advanced degree in international development, social sciences, public policy, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. 
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in international development, including work with INGOs and local civil society partners. 
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational assessments and learning initiatives. 
• Strong skills in qualitative and quantitative research, including survey design, data analysis, and synthesis of findings into practical recommendations. 
• Experience engaging diverse stakeholders and facilitating consultations across country, regional, and community-level actors. 
• Knowledge of donor funding environments (e.g. US Government, European, and private philanthropy) and how funding shifts affect partnerships and local actors. 
• Experience working with organizations of varying sizes and capacity levels, including community-based and grassroots organizations. 
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and locally led approaches, including experience engaging indigenous, LGBTQI+, or other marginalized groups. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing clear, high-quality reports and tools. 

Team Engagement and Effectiveness  

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work. We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law. 

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. 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.