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.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa), funded by the United States Government, is a program that started in May 2022 and aims to support Jordan's HBBs and MSEs to grow, transform, and become resilient to future challenges. Iqlaa’s approach explores new ways of doing business and improving access to finance, markets, and services. It focuses on four sectors: agriculture, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, and services, with a special focus on technology development and implementation. The program encourages and supports the participation of all MSE-owner segments.

Through research and adaptive collaborative learning, Iqlaa has identified opportunities, incentives, and market constraints that facilitate or restrict formalization and growth. Based on the findings, Iqlaa implements best practices in enterprise strengthening and MSE-focused financial sector development within a market systems development (MSD) framework. Iqlaa also leverages innovative behavioral change methodologies to facilitate long-term, sustainable changes in the MSEs ecosystem in Jordan.

Implementing Organizations: Mercy Corps (lead implementer), Andersen for Legal and Tax Consultancy, Dalberg Design, Expectation State, Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII), Migrate-Jordan, and American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham).

The Position

The PPD Senior Officer will support the Research and Learning team, including the PPD Manager and R&L Coordinator, in implementing Iqlaa’s Private-Public Dialogue (PPD) activities focused on generating and using evidence to address key constraints affecting MSEs and HBBs in Jordan.

The Senior Officer will support desk research, data collection, stakeholder consultations, preparation of PPD materials, coordination of dialogue activities, documentation, follow-up, and reporting.

Working under the guidance of the PPD Manager and Research & Learning Lead, the Senior Officer will work closely with Iqlaa teams, partners, public and private sector stakeholders, MSEs, HBBs, and other relevant actors to support effective and well-documented PPD activities.

The position is suited to an early-career professional with around 4-5 years of experience interested in PPD, applied research, economic development, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based programming.

Essential Responsibilities

PPD Research and Coordination

• Support the implementation and coordination of PPD activities in line with approved workplans and timelines.

• Conduct desk research and review relevant policies, regulations, studies, and data related to MSEs and HBBs.

• Support data collection and stakeholder consultations and assist with the preparation of research and consultation tools.

• Assist in preparing briefing notes, presentations, stakeholder profiles, and other materials for PPD activities.

PPD Activity Support

• Support the coordination of PPD meetings, consultations, workshops, and roundtables, including logistics and stakeholder communication.

• Prepare agendas, participant lists, meeting materials, and documentation as required.

• Record key discussions, recommendations, action points, and follow-up activities.

• Maintain stakeholder lists, PPD activity trackers, and action trackers.

Data, Learning and Documentation

• Support the collection, organization, cleaning, and basic analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.

• Support data collection and organization for the geo-mapping of MSEs and HBBs.

• Document key findings, stakeholder feedback, lessons learned, and emerging issues from PPD activities.

• Support the preparation of periodic updates, summaries, and knowledge products.

Knowledge Management and Dissemination

• Support the preparation and dissemination of PPD and research outputs, including briefs, presentations, and summaries.

• Maintain organized research, PPD, and learning records, datasets, and databases.

• Support the PPD Manager, R&L Coordinator, and wider Research & Learning team in related activities as required.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Research and Learning Team Lead

Works Directly With: Primarily with the Research and Learning Team, Iqlaa’s higher management (COP-DCOPs), Iqlaa’s Mercy Corps components, and partners.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, or another relevant discipline.

• A master’s degree in a related discipline is an asset but is not required.

• Approximately 3-4 years of relevant professional, internship, research, project, or academic experience.

• Familiarity with quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies.

• Previous experience supporting research, data collection, surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, or desk research is preferred.

• Basic quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills.

• Ability to review, organize, and summarize information from multiple sources.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Familiarity with statistical software, data visualization tools, GIS, qualitative analysis software, or other relevant research tools is an asset.

• Good writing skills and an ability to communicate research findings clearly.

• Strong organizational and attention-to-detail skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, partners, and external research teams.

• Interest in economic development, private sector development, MSEs, market systems, policy, or related areas.

• Fluent spoken and written Arabic and English.

Success Factors

The successful Research and Learning Officer will demonstrate curiosity, attention to detail, and a genuine interest in research and economic development. The Officer should enjoy working with data and information and be motivated by understanding how research can contribute to better program decisions.

The ideal candidate will be organized and dependable, capable of managing multiple assignments while maintaining the quality and accuracy of their work. They should be comfortable asking questions, learning new research approaches, receiving feedback, and progressively taking greater responsibility.

Strong teamwork and communication skills are important, as the Officer will interact regularly with different Iqlaa teams, partners, consultants, field teams, and research participants.

A proactive attitude, willingness to learn, analytical thinking, and the ability to turn information into clear and useful outputs will enable the Officer to succeed in the role.

Competencies

• Good research and analytical skills.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to organize and synthesize information from different sources.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to follow agreed procedures, workplans, and deadlines.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse team.

• Willingness to learn new research methods and tools.

• Ability to receive and incorporate constructive feedback.

• Ability to manage several tasks and changing priorities.

• Initiative and accountability for assigned work.

• Flexibility, professionalism, and a solution-oriented approach.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Amman, Jordan or other Middle East Mercy Corps locations and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

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

Team Efficiency 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 that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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 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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

الصون و الأخلاق

ميرسي كور تلتزم بضمان المعاملة اللائقة واحترام جميع الأفراد اللذين نتواصل معهم من خلال عملنا, سواء كانوا أعضاء الفريق أو أعضاء المجتمع أو المشاركين في البرامج أو غيرهم. نحن ملتزمون بالمبادئ الرئيسية المتعلقة بمنع الاستغلال والإساءة الجنسية التي وضعها الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة واللجنة الدائمة للتنسيق بين الوكالات الإنسانية (IASC)، وقد وقعنا على نظام الإفصاح المتبادل بين الجهات الفاعلة في حالة السلوك الغير اللائق. عند التقديم لهذا الدور، يؤكد المتقدم أنه لم ينتهك في السابق سياسة السلوك الجنسي، والاستغلال والإساءة جنسية، صون الأطفال، أو الاتجار بالبشر لأي جهة عمل. ميرسي كور لن تتسامح مع إساءة معاملة الأطفال أو الاستغلال الجنسي أو الإساءة أو التحرش من قبل أو بسبب أعضاء فريقنا. كجزء من التزامنا تجاه توفير بيئة عمل آمنة وشاملة, من المتوقع أن يتصرف أعضاء الفريق بطريقة مهنية, تحترم القوانين والعادات المحلية. والالتزام بسياسات وقيم مدونة قواعد السلوك الخاصة بمنظمة ميرسي كور في جميع الأوقات. كما يتطلب من جميع أعضاء الفريق إكمال دورات التعليم الإلكتروني الإلزامية لقواعد السلوك عند التوظيف وذلك بشكل سنوي.

كمتقدم للوظيفة، إذا كنت قد شهدت أو تعرضت لأي نوع من أنواع السلوك الجنسي الغير لائق خلال عملية التوظيف، يرجى الإبلاغ عن ذلك إلى خط النزاهة في منظمة ميرسي كور integrityhotline@mercycorps.org.

RECRUITMENT SCAMS & FRAUD WARNING

Mercy Corps has become aware of scams involving false job offers. Please be advised

Recruiters will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process.

All active jobs are advertised directly on Akhtaboot.

Official Mercy Corps emails will always arrive from a @mercycorps.org email address.

Please report any suspicious communications to ((integrityhotline@mercycorps.org))