Log In
Sign Up
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
The Program / Department / Team
Jordan grapples with escalating climate-related disasters, posing a critical challenge to its humanitarian efforts, economic stability, and environmental integrity. Despite its position as one of the world’s most water-scarce nations, Jordan is witnessing a distressing surge in flash floods, a peril that ranks second in the Jordan National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy. Factors such as degraded vegetation, haphazard urbanization, and the relentless impact of climate change worsen these floods, devastating local communities and the eco-tourism sector. Moreover, Jordan suffers from devastating heat waves due to climate change, leading to desertification, diminished water supplies, and exacerbated water scarcity. Since 2021, Mercy Corps Jordan (MCJ) has been actively engaged in enhancing the resilience of
vulnerable communities against floods, as part of Phase 2 of the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance (the Alliance) work, which concluded in December 2023. Moving forward into Phase 3, MCJ remains committed to its mission of mitigating the severe impact of floods and heatwaves on vulnerable communities in Jordan. This project comes in alignment with the visionary efforts of the Alliance, the Alliance seeks transformative change at scale, building on community programmes to influence policy and practice at the local, national and global level. We will call for funding and action that supports adaptation measures that are scalable and sustainable. We ensure resilience building and adaptation is
mainstreamed across other humanitarian and development action. Our success is based on credible impact by community-driven programming, from which knowledge and evidence of good practice can be generated, which will help us provide the national or sub-national level advocacy to achieve the systemic change we have identified needs changing. Research will support us with the necessary in-country or global evidence. We both implement interventions
ourselves and have a plan for creating intervention pipelines that can be invested into by other funders or by the government.
The Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance (the Alliance) is a consortium of nine organisations including international NGOs, the private sector and research organisations, who have come together with the support of the Zurich Foundation to influence funding, policy and practice at the international and country level to reduce the negative impact of floods and climate change on people and communities’ ability to thrive.
The Position
Mercy Corps Jordan is seeking a Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer to support the overall design, management, implementation, and coordination of the project influencing and systems change work under Phase 3 of the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance (the Alliance) in Jordan. The Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer will provide strategic oversight and leadership to achieve project advocacy and influencing goals. This position primary focus will be on influencing efforts and will also establish, interact and maintain relations with different Mercy Corps teams and project stakeholders at local and national levels ensuring alignment with global advocacy around some or all of the Alliance’s priority themes (DRR/CCA governance, EWS, NBS, heat, and urban).
The Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and will work closely with Mercy Corps field-teams, Mercy Corps global team and Alliance partners. As Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) is a cross-cutting component of all Mercy Corps programs, the Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer is also required to ensure GESI sensitivity is integrated into his/her work, both mainstreaming and specific projects/focus.
Essential Responsibilities
ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION
● Work with the project team on the development and delivery of the programme’s influencing strategy in Jordan. This will include:
○ Engage in developing a country Theory of Change that is in line with the overall Alliance Theory of Change.
○ Develop and regularly update an influencing strategy to meet systems change goals, based on detailed analysis of the problem, the policy context, and stakeholder analysis.
○ Lead the development and delivery of influencing activities, including through the development of SMART objectives, selection of tactics, development of key messages, and a prioritised action plan.
○ Work with the communication team to support knowledge and communications strategies.
○ Work with the MEL team to develop a MEL strategy for influencing, in line with the overall Alliance MEL approach.
● Support the development and use of a range of advocacy products, including reports, policy briefs, lobby letters, and finalising communication products and plans.
● Support the design and organisation of events, policy dialogues, and opportunities for influence.
● Represent Mercy Corps and the Alliance in internal and external events in the areas of responsibility and expertise, as instructed by the project manager.
● Give presentations at high level events.
● Work with the MEL team to meet agreed targets and MEL frameworks for systems change.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
● Work with the project team to identify, establish, manage, and strengthen strategic partnerships with government agencies, peer organisations, development partners, civil society and private sector, think tanks, multilateral organisations, research institutes and media.
● Support the project to build collaborative partnerships with networks, coalitions, organizations, research institutions and other allies to enable a stronger voice.
● Work closely with other members of the Alliance in different countries, particularly around the Alliance’s priority themes (DRR/CCA governance, EWS, NBS, heat, urban)
RESEARCH AND LEARNING
● Coordinate with project team and consultants on research to build an evidence base in support of influencing goals.
● Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to goals.
● Work with project team and consultants to produce high quality policy analysis, briefing papers and other advocacy content such as talking points, key messages and media releases that effectively communicate and promote our policy positions
● Contribute to the development of the Alliance’s global reports and policy positions.
● Monitor and analyse the progress of influencing efforts, identifying and capturing advocacy wins and case studies.
● Effectively work with the project team on the development of knowledge generation through the completion of research and studies, knowledge sharing among Mercy Corps teams and Alliance partners as well as other networks and knowledge sharing forums.
● Ensure gendered analysis is part of policy development, including explicitly identifying specially gendered recommendations where they emerge.
Others:
● Travel to project locations as planned and required in coordination with project team for day-to- day implementation of project activities
● Ensure the compliance with Mercy Corps, donor policies and communication protocols, and ensure the successful implementation of agreed upon activities.
● Document all program activities, achievements, and challenges on project tracking sheets and in weekly/monthly reports.
● Ensure proper visibility of project activities, and support the facilitation of media products development and success stories documentation.
● 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 the direct Supervisor and/or the Pillar Director.
SECURITY (FIELD POSITIONS ONLY)
● Carry with you the Jordan Constant Companion form especially when in the field.
● When planning a field visit, and if a driver is not available, drive Mercy Corps vehicle ensuring to adhere to safe driving practices and road speed limits.
● In all emergency situations, after ensuring all staff are safe and calling the emergency services, if necessary, contact the Security Focal Points (SFP) and make an Immediately Oral Incident Report.
● Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
Supervisory Responsibility
None.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Project Manager
Works Directly With: Project team in country and global, targeted local communities, MC support departments (Engineering department, PAQ, Finance, Admin and Procurement teams), consultants, governmental stakeholders, project 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
● Relevant degree (e.g. climate science, international development, etc.)
● At least 5 years relevant experience with designing, managing and implementing influencing strategies and initiatives
● Demonstrated knowledge of Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation, or resilience
● Demonstrated experience in external relations and stakeholder management
● Ability to conduct policy and stakeholder analysis through rigorous document reviews and network development, and articulate policy recommendations for influencing
● Ability to scope, design, and lead research to build an evidence base for advocacy.
● Ability to summarize and persuasively communicate complex information in written and verbal form to different audiences, including experience leading the production of external written policy products.
● Team player that can coordinate and facilitate tasks for program outcomes both internally and externally, with stakeholders including Alliance partners, national/sub-national/local governments, community groups, INGOs, NGOs, donors, UN, private sector and others.
● Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to ensure that influencing work, research, and messaging has a strong GESI perspective
● Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
● Proficiency in written and spoken in English and Arabic
● Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.
● Ability to frequently travel to local communities and work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
Success Factors
● Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines
● Excellent written and oral communication skills
● Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and prioritizing of tasks
● Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results
● Ability to work with diverse groups of people
Competencies
We’re looking for a team member who can use their experience and skills to improve our influencing work, see the positives, understand the politics, and be curious about the challenges that arise and always seeking to expand our impact. You’ll be an effective communicator with strong diplomacy skills – comfortable working with a range of stakeholders, able to communicate complex climate issues.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Amman, Jordan. Frequent domestic travel to the field from Amman will be required. Upon the instructions and approval of the supervisor, this position may require international travel to engage in global events.
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 stronge 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.
