Disaster Risk Reduction Policy and Advocacy Senior Specialist

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Policy and Advocacy Senior Specialist

About Mercy Corps

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, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, girl’s education, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

Program / Department Summary

The Managing Risks through Economic Development (M-RED) project spans four years (2022-2025) and aims to create and execute a model integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and economic development. It focuses on establishing enduring, market-driven DRR approaches to enhance resilience against various disasters. This multi-country initiative is dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities in Nepal, Timor Leste, and Indonesia. It has received support from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation since 2013 and is currently in its fourth phase.

M-RED promotes the system approach encompassing preparedness, response, and recovery by collaborating at community, sub-national to the national levels. At the community and household levels, interventions aim to reduce disaster risks while enhancing income generation. Communities will enhance their understanding and capabilities in disaster risk reduction while concurrently pursuing economic opportunities through cultivating, processing, and selling crops utilized for disaster mitigation, thereby boosting household incomes. The program will fortify emerging or enhanced economic prospects by facilitating communities’ access to markets for sales and inputs related to high-demand and high-value commodities. Through market assessments and facilitating connections between household producers and local markets, the program endeavors to surmount these challenges. Additionally, the project focuses on creating high-quality documentation and advocating for the replication of the M-RED model.

General Position Summary

The DRR and Advocacy Senior Specialist will assume overall responsibility for leading the policy and advocacy components of the M-RED Nepal program, coordinating with other Disaster Risk Reduction and Management programs in Nepal. This position will also take leadership on program strategies, approaches, innovation, and methods, closely coordinating with the Program Manager (PM) of the M-RED Nepal program. The incumbent must have a combination of technical and management skills, showcasing a track record of dynamic and effective policy and advocacy skills. They should demonstrate a sound understanding of Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), and humanitarian programming within the federal context of Nepal.

The position will be responsible for generating high-quality outputs and results, with strong coordination skills for working with a multidisciplinary team, stakeholder management (Federal, Provincial and Local level_, and communication, including high-level representation skills.

As Gender and Social inclusion (GESI) and governance cross-cutting components of all Mercy Corps program(s), DRR Policy and Advocacy lead is required to own these components and ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, and governance practices are integrated into his/her work area.

Essential Job Responsibilities

The specific duties and responsibilities of the DRR Policy and Advocacy Senior Specialist include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategy and Project Management

• Develop and lead Mercy Corps Nepal’s policy and advocacy efforts related to DRR, Anticipatory Action, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian programming at both the national and provincial levels.
• Lead the continued development and iteration of an advocacy and influencing strategy for the Mercy Corps and M-RED program in consultation with PM.
• Develop and implement advocacy strategies, such as policy consultations engaging federal government officials, parliamentarian, along with media personnel along with field research support for community programs.
• Identify key research initiatives to support the advocacy agenda, design and implement field research and studies, and develop and share strong cases to influence governments and donors to improve investment in DRR, market system development, livelihoods, Anticipatory Action Shock Responsive Social
• Protection, and resilience of vulnerable communities and systems.
• Represent MCN at regional and international events as and when required. Highlight and share relevant developments in Nepal with the regional and HQ team.
• Ensure proper integration of Gender and social Inclusion (GESI) aspects into sector-specific program planning and implementation.
• Support roll out of -Anticipatory Action related work with M-RED working with thematic leads and implementing partners
• Ensure integration of program components such as DRR, market system development, financial services, livelihoods, and Climate Change Adaptations (CCA) to increase resilience.
• Lead and advocate for contemporary and proactive approaches to disaster risk reduction and management, such as Anticipatory Action and Shock-Responsive Social Protection in Nepal.
• Develop strategies, including market assessments at different levels and opportunities, to mitigate risk and build durable and sustainable resilience.
• Work closely with the Program Director (PD), Program Managers (PMs), and Senior MEL and Comms Officer, to ensure synergy between M-RED countries and especially with Climate Resilience for Communities (CRC) activities, capturing and sharing learning experiences

Compliance and Coordination

• Support the PM to develop program documents to meet the Social Welfare Council (SWC) compliance and maintain good relationship with national and provincial level government and private stakeholders.
• Develop good collaboration with other Mercy Corps programs and develop synergistic effect on the implementation of the programs and develop harmony among field team members.
• Work closely with the Finance & Compliance lead to create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Share learning and practice with other programs among others CRC , contribute to the overall organization learning process on Resilience.
• Participate in country level coordination, Extended Senior Management Team (ESMT)/Manager’s meeting as needed

Monitoring, Evaluations and Learning

• In coordination with the PM and the Senior MEL and Comms Officer, support in development of project planning and implementation documents and ensure these documents are maintained as per Mercy Corps Program Management minimum standard (PM@MC).
• Support PM to ensure the program strategies and research activities are aligned with the program objectives and lessons are shared with M-RED program countries including in different national and international platforms.
• Support PM to ensure project outcomes, outputs are clearly documented, and high-quality reports are produced timely and submitted to the donor.

Team Management

• Foster and maintain a work atmosphere centered on mutual respect, encouraging team members to aspire for excellence in their endeavors.
• In coordination with PM, provide regular performance and programmatic feedback as an ongoing effort, ensure regular communication, and maintain team accountability.
• Coordinate and where appropriate support PM to facilitate regular team review and reflection meetings, team- building to support team capacity-building and adaptive management towards achieving program deliverables.
• Support PM for team recruitments, develop job description, conduct inductions and provide guidance in establishing tasks, benchmarks and setting priorities.

Representation and Advocacy

• Lead the formulation of an advocacy strategy directed at diverse audiences and stakeholders in line with the Program vision.
• Work closely with Country Office Business Development and Strategic Comms Manager and oversee and guide the creation of materials showcasing lessons learned and success stories, highlighting the program’s activities, approaches, and impacts for internal dissemination and external communication in relevant forums.
• Engage and represent Mercy Corps in various forums related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), climate change, and other pertinent platforms, whether virtual or in-person, seizing available opportunities.
• Act as Mercy Corps’ representative across multiple platforms, including high-level engagements, effectively conveying the project outcomes and strategies aimed at positively impacting the lives of vulnerable households.
• Contribute and, if needed, take the lead in proposal writing, particularly focusing on areas related to climate change and economic opportunities.
• Develop Influence strategies for national level private and government stakeholders and engage them to expand the nexus interventions beyond the program area.
• Engage for documentation of knowledge management and advocate best practices engaging with freelance medias

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

Others

• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by Director of Programs (DoPs) and M-RED Program Manager for Mercy Corps Nepal.
• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to respond as and when a crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As MC employees all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned by the direct Supervisor and or Country Director

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Reports directly to: M-RED Program Manager for program

Works directly with: MRED thematic teams, Local implementing partner(s); private sector partner(s); and Mercy Corps DM&E, Bussiness Development and Strategic Communications Manager, Finance/Compliance, and Operations team members

Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s degree in disaster risk management/Climate change, social sciences, international development or other relevant fields.
  7-10 years of experience successfully working with, overseeing, and managing advocacy and policy campaigns and initiatives in an I/NGO or legislative context, including experience working with humanitarian issues and emergencies. Supervisory experience will be an advantage.
• Excellent ability to conduct policy and stakeholder analysis through rigorous document reviews and network development, and articulate recommendations for policy for advocacy.
• Demonstrated knowledge on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation is highly desirable.
• Leads the development of a strategy and vision for a function or team and oversees the implementation of the strategy and action plan and insights and progress on strategic initiatives.
• Experience working with Parliamentarians for DRRM and rolling out of DRRM training in municipalities is preferable.
• Familiarity with National DRM/CCA policies, strategies and working with Provincial and municipal government structures for DRR, EWS and climate and weather information and integration of DRR into formal planning processes and budgeting procedures
• Outstanding skills and demonstrated expertise in crafting proposals, specifically leading initiatives in DRR, Anticipatory Action, Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), Shock Responsive Social Protection and climate change adaptation.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Team player who can coordinate and facilitate tasks for program outcomes both internally and externally, with stakeholders, partners, national/sub-national/local governments, community groups, INGOs, NGOs, donors, UN, and others.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Flexible, demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with culturally diverse staff under tight deadlines and often stressful situations.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of stakeholders, private sector actors, Government and partners.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to develop good relationships with a wide range of actors required.
• Effective writing and organizational skills for report development, complete analyses and making presentations.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. They will have a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short-term assignment to a field posting. 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.

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. 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.

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.

Travel Required

Yes. Frequent travel to Project Working Areas