Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) Project Coordinator

Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) Project Coordinator (contingent upon funding)

Location: Mutare, Zimbabwe

Position Status: Full-time, Regular

Duration: 12 months with a possibility of extension based on funding and performance

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. Mercy Corps supports communities – and the most marginalized within them – to emerge from crisis in the face of climate change and build towards a more inclusive and resilient future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been present in Zimbabwe since 2002, leading innovative programming focusing on evidence-based solutions that have lasting impact and build resilience. Resilience building is an agency priority and involves using a systemsbased approach that builds on proven solutions, accesses new ideas and information, and integrates multiple sectors and partnerships to strengthen food and water security, economic opportunities, and climate change adaptation. Zimbabwe continues to experience recurrent environmental and economic shocks that affect the wellbeing of its communities and undermine development investments. Mercy Corps puts resilience at the core of its strategy to contribute to the wellbeing of Zimbabweans by building communities’ capacities and strengthening systems and institutions.

General Position Summary

The Project Coordinator for the Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) project will be responsible for the overall leadership, technical lead and management of a donor funded Ecosystem based Adaptation project in Zimbabwe. S/he will work closely with the donor, project team and coordinate with multi-stakeholders and establish productive partnerships with civil society organizations, networks, and the government of Zimbabwe at various levels for the successful implementation of the project. The Coordinator will work with a technical experts, including consultants and will ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and rules and regulations. S/he will be the primary program representative to relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders.

The goal of this project is to enhance climate resilience in Zimbabwe by growing the evidence base on effective Ecosystembased Adaptation (EbA) strategies and influencing the mainstreaming of EbA into national and subnational plans. A critical outcome is to build awareness, technical, and institutional capacity of stakeholders and communities to develop and apply EbA concepts, tools, approaches and methodologies in their work to drive the climate adaptation agenda.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

STRATEGY & VISION

• Lead the development of a research and knowledge management plan based on project objectives and requirements.
• Lead the development and execution of a program-wide resilience-building strategy based on a blend of cash transfers and CBRAs to guide knowledge generation and application in program implementation in close collaboration with implementing partners.
• Provide support on programmatic and operational matters ensuring program produces the highest possible impact and in line with the overall strategy
• Responsible for the preparation of program annual plan and operations and lead preparation of the plan/budget throughout the fiscal year.
• Recognize and act on opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Establish partnerships with research institutions and experts to support project activities. Team Management.
• Assist with the recruitment, selection, orientation and training of project team members.
• In partnership with the Mercy Corps Country Director work to motivate, empower and guide the research and knowledge management towards excellence.
• Set a team culture valuing learning and adaptive management in support of an ongoing resilience approach in programming across project partners
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Supervise and manage all program staff to ensure day-to-day activities are implemented in a coordinated fashion according to schedule, budget and quality.
• Supervise and manage all program partnerships to ensure sound coordination in the context of an overall program strategic and climate adaptation framework.

PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

• Manage Program team, towards achieving programmatic excellence and country and agency strategies.
• Oversee program start-up, ongoing program management and partner coordination ensuring mechanisms for effective adaptive management are in place and utilized regularly.
• Lead the development of detailed implementation plans, flowing from annual strategic work-plans, and ensure project delivery is on time, scope and budget.
• Lead the implementation of capacity building through focused transfer of knowledge and skills related to EbA concepts, analysis and linking with climate adaptation projects implemented by other actors.
• Lead the establishment of data management systems and protocols for collecting, organizing, and analyzing research data.
• Support the team in deriving actionable insights from research findings including written research papers, training materials, tools, reports, and other relevant materials on mainstreaming EbA.
• Develop and implement strategies for sharing research findings and knowledge products.
• Collaborate with stakeholders in research design, data collection, and knowledge sharing processes including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and local communities.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange among stakeholders through online platforms, networks, and communities of practice.
• Oversee efforts to design effective M&E systems for the program, and linkages with internal M&E systems.
• Create and follow effective stakeholder management plans, ensuring sound and proactive communications with Mercy Corps Zimbabwe, partner organizations, Mercy Corps East and Southern Africa Regional Resilience Hub, Technical Services Unit and headquarters, the Donor, Government of Zimbabwe, and other agencies.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Develop and nurture culturally sensitive internal and external relationships and networks to ensure optimum communication and program success.
• Liaise with and represent program to donor and other cooperating s and stakeholders.
• Represent Mercy Corps at government, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Food Security and Resilience lead, Water Security lead and Country Director.
• Ensure close coordination and information sharing with NGOs, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility: Project team members.

 Accountability

Reports Directly To: Food Security and Resilience Lead

Works Directly With: Operations and Finance team, Country Director, Senior Programs Manager, Regional Coordinators,

Climate Technical Service Unit, and partner organizations

Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or any other closely related field.
• At least 5 years relevant experience in leading research and knowledge management projects, preferably in the field of ecosystem-based adaptation or environmental conservation.
• Strong knowledge of ecosystem-based adaptation principles, research methodologies, and data analysis techniques.
• Familiarity with climate change policies, international frameworks (e.g., Paris Agreement), and relevant environmental standards.
• Demonstrated experience in knowledge management and dissemination of research findings.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team.
• Proficiency in data management and analysis using statistical software.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement and team coordination.
• Ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in capacity building and training is desirable.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental sustainability and social equity.
• Successful and proven negotiation, communication, organization, and prioritization skills and experience.
• Ability to handle multiple issues at one time, including emergency situations. Must be adaptable to and comfortable with shifting priorities.

Success Factors

The successful Coordinator will combine exceptional management skills and experience in building and maintaining and partner relationships. S/he will have an ability to approach complex development challenges through a systems-thinking lens and have an ability to think creatively about improving communities’ livelihoods and climate resilience. The Coordinator will have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. S/he will be passionate about research, learning and adaptive management techniques as fundamental strategies to improve program impact. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail as well as strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff 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.

 Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions 

The Project Coordinator position is based in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The position will have frequent local travels to support program teams in Chipinge and Buhera. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and as such staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values always 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, colour, 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.