Mercy Corps is hiring a Remote Consultancy: Great opportunity. Apply Now for 2026

Mercy Corps is inviting experienced consultants to apply for an exciting remote opportunity: Consultancy – Development of Guideline for Safe Programming in Partnerships. Based anywhere in the United States and working remotely, this 40-day consultancy will play a critical role in strengthening safe, inclusive, and accountable partnerships across East and Southern Africa (ESA).

If you are a senior expert in Safeguarding, Protection, GESI, and Community Accountability, this is your opportunity to shape regional standards that influence humanitarian and development programming at scale.

About Mercy Corps and the SDI Commitment

Mercy Corps operates in some of the world’s most complex crisis settings, delivering integrated humanitarian and development programs. At the heart of its mission is the Safe, Diverse, and Inclusive (SDI) commitment — a pledge to ensure that all programs and operations promote safety, dignity, diversity, and accountability.

The ESA region represents Mercy Corps’ largest portfolio, reaching thousands of communities across fragile and crisis-affected contexts such as Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, and Ethiopia. With overlapping natural disasters and human-made crises, safe programming is not optional — it is essential.

Through this consultancy, Mercy Corps seeks to operationalize its SDI commitment by embedding safe programming practices into Market Systems Development (MSD) partnerships, especially with private sector actors.

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Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will lead the development of a Regional Safe Programming in Partnerships Guideline tailored to MSD programming. The goal is to ensure partnerships are:

• Inclusive and participatory
• Responsive to diverse community needs
• Accountable and ethical
• Protective against exploitation, abuse, and harm

The guideline will integrate key safe programming components, including:

• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)
• Safeguarding
• Protection
• Community Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms (CARM)

This document will become a standard reference across ESA country offices, guiding partnership management from identification and due diligence through implementation, monitoring, and learning.

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Key Objectives of the Consultant

The selected consultant will:

• Assess current understanding and practices around safe programming in partnerships
• Conduct internal and external literature reviews
• Facilitate consultations with implementing partners
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with regional, global, and country teams
• Lead validation workshops
• Develop a comprehensive regional guideline
• Support the launch and socialization of the framework

This assignment requires both technical expertise and strong facilitation skills, as the consultant will co-create the guideline alongside leadership and field teams.

Consultancy Phases and Deliverables

Phase 1: Safe Programming in Partnership Assessment

March 26 – May 15, 2026

Deliverables include:

• Inception Report (10–15 pages)
• Finalized data collection tools
• Draft and Final Safe Programming Assessment Report (25–30 pages)
• Validation workshop presentation (15–20 slides)

This phase focuses on understanding existing gaps, best practices, and opportunities for improvement.

Phase 2: Guideline Development

May 15 – June 27, 2026

Deliverables include:

• Draft Regional Safe Programming Guideline
• Guiding Principles and Socialization Plan
• Presentation materials and workshop report
• Final Guideline and launch materials
• Concluding consultancy report (10–15 pages)

The consultant will also co-facilitate the launch webinar and support integration into Mercy Corps’ updated Program Management Policy.

Time Commitment

• 40 working days
• Distributed between March and June 2026
• Fully remote

The consultant will report to the Regional Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor and collaborate closely with safeguarding, protection, accountability, and country teams.

Required Qualifications

Mercy Corps is seeking a highly experienced professional with:

• Advanced degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Human Rights, Law, or related field
• 7–10 years of experience in Safe Programming, Safeguarding, Protection, CARM, and GESI
• Proven track record conducting assessments and developing frameworks for international NGOs
• Strong qualitative research skills (KIIs, workshops, consultations)
• Excellent writing and presentation skills
• Fluency in English

Experience in East & Southern Africa and familiarity with Mercy Corps’ operating model is highly desirable.

Why This Consultancy Matters

This is more than a documentation assignment. The developed guideline will influence how Mercy Corps and its private-sector partners operate in fragile markets. It will help ensure that partnerships are not only technically sound but also ethically grounded and community-centered.

In regions facing compounding crises, safe programming directly impacts community trust, protection outcomes, and long-term resilience.

Organizational Culture and Safeguarding Commitment

Mercy Corps fosters a culture of trust, respect, and inclusivity. Team members are expected to uphold high ethical standards and adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct at all times.

The organization maintains zero tolerance for:

• Sexual exploitation and abuse
• Child abuse
• Harassment or misconduct

As an equal opportunity employer, Mercy Corps is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion across its global workforce.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via Jobvite no later than March 15, 2026.

Applicants should include:

• CV and Cover Letter
• Detailed Work Plan (covering both phases and deliverables)
• Financial Proposal

5 Key Benefits of This Consultancy

• Influence regional safe programming standards across East & Southern Africa
• Lead development of a high-impact strategic guideline
• Collaborate with global and regional technical leaders
• Fully remote flexibility
• Strengthen your portfolio with a major international NGO assignment

This consultancy offers a rare opportunity to combine technical expertise, strategic influence, and regional impact within one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations. If you are passionate about embedding safety, inclusion, and accountability into partnerships, this role provides a powerful platform to drive meaningful change in complex and fragile contexts.