Trainee- Research and Knowledge Management

Trainee- Research and Knowledge Management

Job Category: Programming
Requisition Number: TRAIN005481
Schedule: Full Time
Job Location Type: On-site Kathmandu, NPL

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.

Project Description

The Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance (the alliance) is a collaboration between humanitarian, NGO, research and private sector partners, working to build resilience to climate hazards in rural and urban contexts. Formerly the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance, we have over a decade of experience in generating evidence of communities’ current levels of climate resilience and identifying appropriate solutions. Through long-term community programmes, new research and stakeholder influencing, we strive to deliver systemic change at scale and realize our vision of a world in which communities are more resilient to climate hazards, and able to thrive.

In Nepal, Mercy Corps and Practical Action, the Alliance partners, will continue to collaborate to achieve our shared program goals. MC spearheads the influencing actions Nepal and globally. The Alliance through multiple climate hazard resilience programming helps create a climate-resilient future where communities in different contexts – large and small, urban, and rural – are adapted to a changing climate. We focus on those most vulnerable and most in need and enable them to cope, adapt and thrive. We bring our evidence from grounded programs to scale to achieve systemic change.

General Position Summary

Trainee will support and assist in ideating, designing and executing research actions and its knowledge management.

Essential Job Functions

Research Support

• Work closely with the Influencing and Communication Specialist and Province Coordinator to design research on prioritized issues.
• Undertake literature review for identified issues to support research actions.
• Lead mini research on issues prioritized the project.
• Support Influencing and Communication Specialists to develop appropriate knowledge products for influencing and advocacy.
• Support influencing and Communication specialist to execute knowledge management plan.
• Support for coordination and logistic arrangement in organizing workshops and policy dialogues and its reporting.
• Participate in meetings with stakeholders and partners at different events and initiatives as required.
• Travel to the field as and when required to support research activities.

Administration

• Provide logistic & administrative support to Influencing and Communication Specialist and Program Manager.
• Assist in procurement process for project related requirement.
• Support to province coordinators and field research team for field work.
• Provide support for the program team for their field travel plan and management.
• Perform any other duty as maybe assigned by as well as supervisor.

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Influencing and Communication Specialist

Works Directly with: Province Coordinators (Madhesh and Sudurpaschim) and Program Manager (Climate Resilience for Communities)

Required Qualification and skills

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, DRR/Environment Science, Social Science, or any other relevant fields.
• Prior experience of academic research is desirable.
• Prior experience in DDR will be an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English and Nepali are required.
• Basic computer skill (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and email internet)

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. S/he will have 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 and have signed on to the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme — SCHR. 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 must complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and annually.

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).