Job Description

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.

Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, oppression by building secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps has been present in Zimbabwe since 2002 focusing its interventions on a multi sectoral market systems development portfolio mobilizing communities to promote small-scale agriculture and revive local economies. Its current operations focus on helping smallholder farmers increase their incomes and harvests through the power of technology and increasing urban household access to quality, reliable water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Zimbabwe continues to experience recurrent environmental, economic, and social shocks affecting the wellbeing of its communities and undermining development investments. Mercy Corps puts resilience at core of its strategy to contribute to the wellbeing of Zimbabweans by building communities’ capacities and strengthening systems and institutions.

General Position Summary
The goal of this program is to build the resilience of individual households, communities, and institutions against economic and climate shocks in Mutare Urban. The Knowledge Management and Learning officer will be responsible for the development and implementation of strategies to effectively manage and share knowledge. Furthermore, he/she will be responsible for conducting research, generating evidence, and facilitating development of knowledge products for the Urban Resilience Building program. This will support learning by generating a body of evidence to inform urban resilience programming and best practices. The Knowledge Management and Learning officer will report directly to the Program Manager and will work in close collaboration with the Program Team to ensure that Knowledge Management and Learning is integrated into programming.

Diversity, Equity, and 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.

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.

Ethics and Integrity
All Mercy Corps staff are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate the highest integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to any form of fraud, corruption, abuse, harassment, or exploitation. Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action that may lead to termination.

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 based on 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

● Lead development and technical inputs on overall research design, refining research questions, data collection methods and instruments.
● Lead the documentation, results measurement, and program routine progress and sharing of best practices of the Urban Resilience Building program.
● He/She will oversee the collection, organization, and documentation of knowledge assets within the organization. This includes creating frameworks and systems for capturing explicit knowledge (documents, databases, best practices) and tacit knowledge (expertise, experience) from staff and stakeholders.
● Lead in the facilitation sharing and dissemination of knowledge across the organization. This involves designing and implementing knowledge sharing platforms, conducting training sessions, organizing workshops, and promoting a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration MC programs.
● Responsible for designing and implementing learning and development programs to enhance the organization's overall knowledge and skills. This includes conducting training needs assessments, developing training materials, coordinating with subject matter experts, and evaluating the effectiveness of learning interventions.
● Establishment of mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of knowledge management and learning initiatives. This involves tracking key performance indicators, analyzing data on knowledge utilization and impact, and making recommendations for improvement.
● As a Knowledge Management and Learning Officer, he/she will continuously assess and improve knowledge management processes and practices. This includes staying updated on emerging trends and technologies in knowledge management, seeking feedback from stakeholders, and implementing innovative approaches to enhance knowledge sharing and learning within the organization.

Qualifications and Experience

Knowledge and Experience
● Master’s degree in development studies, Gender Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, or other relevant fields.
● At least 5 years of research experience in development context
● Highly competent with quantitative and qualitative research methods, including research design, participatory data collection methods, and use of data analysis software.
● Demonstrated ability to work independently and to creatively solve problem-solve.
● Strong writing skills, including experience generating substantive written products; excellent verbal communication skills.
● Demonstrated ability to communicate research findings, both visually and in writing
● Previous experience managing research projects.
● Must be adaptable to and comfortable with shifting priorities.

How to Apply

How to Apply
Mercy Corps is committed and accountable to the community members we work with and the beneficiaries we serve. As part of this commitment, Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to violations of the Code of Conduct (Sexual Abuse of Beneficiaries and Community Members (PSEA) Policy, Anti-Trafficking Policy, Child Safeguarding Policy, Mercy Corps Ethics Complaint and Whistle-blower Policy, Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policy, Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying Policy, Conflict of Interest Policy and Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy).

Applicants are required to download and sign the MC Candidate Declaration Form (copy and paste this link to your web browser) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RmlrQfcgAa7S5d5WkcUUHoKTNXXOPD74/edit and submit together with CV and Cover letter to Mercy Corps Human Resources at [email protected] by COB 25 January 2024. Please note that CV and Cover should be on one document.

Applications should be clearly marked with the position applied for in the email subject line.

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity organization and encourages both female and male candidates to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis and shortlisting will proceed as applications are received.