Resilient Livelihood Specialist

About Yayasan Mercy Corps Indonesia

Yayasan Mercy Corps Indonesia (YMCI) is a local Indonesian non-profit organization, which will implement humanitarian, and development assistance programs throughout the country. YMCI mission is to empower people in Indonesia to become healthy, productive, and resilient communities. Resilience means an ability to recover form or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

Program / Department Summary

The ‘Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance’ is an alliance of ten organizations including international NGOs, private sector and research organizations, who have come together with the support of the Zurich Foundation to drive better policy and practice to reduce the negative impact of floods on people’s and communities’ ability to thrive.  The Alliance has launched formally on 1 July 2018 and run for five years to 30 June 2023, globally. During this time, the partners will together implement a combination of pilot programs, research, knowledge management and work to persuade donors, policy-makers and practitioners to invest in flood prevention and preparedness through:

• Increased and more effective financial investments in flood resilien
• Improved global and national policy for increased pre-event action to flood resilience;
• Improved practice in flood resilience by key stakeholders.

Mercy Corps is leading the ‘influencing and advocacy’ work within the Alliance, as well as making substantial contributions to workstreams on knowledge management, research, and piloting innovative field programming with communities, business and government. As part of their advocacy role under Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance (ZFRA) Program, Yayasan Mercy Corps Indonesia aims to enrich the local development process by fostering an innovative and more effective budget allocation for programs related to water resource management, particularly those that tied with climate change context. This approach will support local government in addressing flood issue by providing alternative funding channel, in addition to their current channel which more often than not are lacking to completely address the issue.

Affected by compund risk, In Pekalongan City over 70% of households experienced the socio-economic impact of COVID-19. Alongside the harrowing direct health impacts, the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis have been ravaging for the two key industries in the area. Despite the severe multi-dimensional negative impacts of COVID-19 across the country, the Indonesian government’s budgets at all level are now focusing more to address immediate health needs and social support. It creates funding gap in other sectors that might need critical attention. Pekalongan City government for instance, has reallocated over half of its flood response funding to COVID-19 response, leaving them vulnerable during major flood events and will create further dire implications for the ongoing and future flood mitigation initiatives. Medium-term and longer-term recovery initiatives will be critical to work towards, especially ones that are able to concurrently address building climate resilience and economic recovery.

General Position Summary

Following the Flood Risk and Impact Assessment that will be finalized by ZFRA in Q1 2021, Resilient Business Model (RBM) specialist will seek to identify economic sectors and/or livelihood activity that are most affected by flood risk and COVID-19. As part of the investment strategy, working along with our partner, the RBM specialist will then should turn this negative impact into an opportunity by introducing a more innovative and resilient business activity. S/he will also be responsible to coordinate the Market System Development (MSD) process, including supply and market chain analysis and potential development of bundled services (financial product and technical advisory services) for each selected commodity for Pekalongan City and Regency. Two resilient business model are expected to be developed through the process.

S/he will manage the small-scale piloting process of the business model to proofing the plan. By having this proven model and capitalize the market-proven model to trigger further investment, in collaboration with governance specialist, RBM specialist will promote adoption of the process model for government recovery plan at local level, as well as at the larger scale, including private sector. S/he will also help in ensuring that Mercy Corps’ policy positions are well grounded in the priorities of the communities where we work. S/he may be asked to engage in some training and workshops organization, and also help raise awareness about socio-economic aspect of flood resilience regionally and nationally, as necessary. Working with our partner, among activities under this business model development process are:

• Assessment on most affected economic sectors and/or livelihoods, and the recommended business changes
• Two business plan development for the selected innovative business model, including market and supply chain analysis
• Piloting process for the business model in city and regency
• Investor pitching strategy and event

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy and Vision

1. Support Mercy Corps’ policy and advocacy related to flood resilience, DRR and climate change adaptation, sustainable and resilient livelihood at the local and sub-national level, and lead field-based resilient livelihood development and communications work in close collaboration with the national team.
2. Advise and support the development and implementation of Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance work at the country level
3. Seek the potential collaboration with the local, sub-national and national stakeholders to leverage project’s impact

Technical Implementation

1. Develop business model and plan for selected commodity based on assessment  on at risks economic and livelihood sector, including its bundled services design
2. Support the implementation of small-scale pilot of the business model in the targeted area
3. Private sector engagement to catalize investment on the model

Coordination and Representation

1. Build and maintain close links with Zurich Resilience Alliance partners at the local and sub-national level Regularly convey information to Mercy Corps’ Zurich Resilience Alliance team as well as the Policy and Advocacy (P&A) team
2. Along with the partners and in collaboration with the ZFRA national team, implements the resilient livelihood initiative
3. Support the works of resiliency that come from partners initiative
4. Build network, especially at the local and sub-national level, to establish and maintain strategic relations with relevant local and international stakeholders, to continually inform, challenge, and improve resilient livelihood strategy, and program development. 

Thought Leadership

1. Track local, sub-national and national policy developments affecting flood resilience, especially on socio-economic  aspect
2. Work with the national teams and global P&A team to plan and produce effective, thoughtful and timely written products that advance policy and investment perspectives
3. Monitor and evaluate the impact of advocacy and communication work.
4. Related tasks as required and agreed, including workshop organization, assistance with field research on resilience and support for community programs.

Knowledge and Experience

12. BA/S or equivalent in economic, social science and relevant field; MA/S preferred. Minimum 5 years of experience successfully working in conducting market analysis; and supply and market value chains. Past experience working with climate resilient community livelihood, both in rural and urban context is highly desirable
13. Having experience in building partnerships with multi-stakeholders in economic development activities, preferably having experience in building resilient livelihood in agriculture, forestry, coastal or creative industry
14. Have knowledge and experience working on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and livelihood resilience programs
15. Having experience working in Central Java Province is highly preferred
16. Good facilitating and communication skills
17. Good understanding of local culture of communities (Especially Pekalongan Communities) that can affect the implementation of livelihood resilience programs
18. Good understanding of the possibilities and tactics for influencing decisions and policy makers, private sector and market actors, and other key actors in the field
19. Demonstrable experience of representation and policy and economic development work, and engaging, managing and working effectively with a range of stakeholders, networks and coalitions.
20. Demonstrable ability to summarize and persuasively communicate complex information in written and verbal form to different audiences, including past experience leading the production of external written policy products, especially on the issue of spatial and landscape planning.
21. Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
22. English proficiency
23. Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, Power Point) is required. 

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills with an ability to effectively represent the organization and its interests to a diverse range of stakeholders, including local and international government officials, local civil society organizations, donors, other international organizations, the media, and the community. S/he will have great analytical skills, demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow and enforce procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members, have strong people skills and the ability to motivate diverse teams. An interest and ability to travel and work in remote and dynamic environments is an advantage as is an awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work and an ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles. S/he will have the ability to creatively problem-solve, to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events impacting program operations, with patience, dynamism, tenacity and a sense of humor.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Pekalongan, Indonesia and it requires up to 20% travel of the time. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MCI'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

Yayasan Mercy Corps Indonesia 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

Yayasan Mercy Corps Indonesua 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.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Yayasan Mercy Corps Indonesia 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.

How to Apply

Please send your CV together with the form on this link with the subject:

“Resilient Livelihood Specialist_ZFRA_Your Name” to hrd@id.mercycorps.org .

The vacancy will be closed on 7 March 2021 and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. We look forward to hearing from those who are interested in taking this opportunity to grow and develop with us.

Thank You,

Human Resources Department Yayasan Mercy Corps Indonesia