Market Systems Development - Technical Capacity Strengthening Consultant

About the Position

Market Systems Development - Technical Capacity Strengthening Consultant

Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian and development organization working with communities in the frontlines of conflict and climate change. We partner locally and globally to help people cope in the midst of crisis, adapt to a changing world, and thrive into the future. In 2025, we reached more than 36 million people with urgent aid and long-term solutions.

Enhancing resilience is at the heart of what Mercy Corps does and how we work. We strengthen sources of resilience to enhance the capacities of people, markets, and institutions to handle shocks, reduce risk, build more equitable and responsive systems, and improve well-being. Through our programs, partnerships, and influence, we support communities to cope, adapt, and ultimately thrive.

Since the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Mercy Corps has supported more than 1.2 million conflict-affected people in Ukraine and neighboring countries. We have provided humanitarian assistance for people in emergency situations and supported war-affected micro, small, and medium businesses, including farmers and agribusinesses, to recover their business activities. Increasingly, Mercy Corps is implementing Market Systems Development (MSD) approaches in Ukraine, seeking systemic solutions that build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic opportunities for conflict-affected populations. Notably, nearly all our programming is delivered in partnership with civil society organizations - integrating program delivery, mutual growth, and experience exchange with a genuine commitment to localization.

Mercy Corps Ukraine is investing in strengthening internal team capacity on MSD programmatic and MSD Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) to enable more effective design, implementation, measurement, and adaptation of MSD programming across the portfolio. This includes building the team’s ability to plan and implement MSD interventions, monitor and measure outcomes and impact, demonstrate Value for Money (VfM), and continuously learn and adapt programming. To support this effort, Mercy Corps is engaging two complementary consultants: one on broader MSD technical capacity strengthening (this Scope of Work) and the other focusing on MSD MEL and adaptive learning (separate Scope of Work). The consultancies are designed to be closely coordinated and mutually reinforcing.

Responsibilities

The objective of this consultancy is to build on Mercy Corps Ukraine’s previous investments in Market Systems Development (MSD) capacity strengthening and support the program team in advancing to the next level of MSD practice. Through a combination of tailored mentorship, technical guidance, strategic advisory support, and practical application of MSD approaches within ongoing MSD initiatives, the consultancy will help institutionalize MSD thinking and strengthen the organization’s ability to design, implement, adapt, and manage a portfolio of market-based interventions. Specifically, the consultant will:

• Build on existing MSD knowledge and experience within Mercy Corps Ukraine to strengthen the practical application of MSD principles and facilitation approaches.
• Collaborate with the MC Ukraine leadership to strengthen their ability to manage an MSD portfolio.
• Build individual and team competencies in market systems analysis, intervention design, partnership development, and adaptive management.
• Provide mentorship based on identified system and capacity gaps and learning needs.
• Support program teams in applying MSD concepts and tools to real MSD interventions through a learning-by-doing approach.
• Strengthen the quality, sustainability, and scalability of ongoing MSD initiatives.
• Work in coordination with the MSD MEL & Adaptive Learning Consultant to ensure alignment between technical implementation, learning, adaptation, and results measurement.

Requirements

• 7-10 years of experience of increasingly proficient management and/or technical support in MSD programming and/or private sector experience, with at least one job experience in a globally well-reputed MSD project.
• Proven experience assessing markets and working with private sector partners.
• Experience working across different geographies, mainly in Africa, and more specifically in fragile environments.
• Strong ability to understand and manage multiple stakeholders and complex relationships at multiple levels of the organization.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites, including traveling to insecure environments, is required.
• A proven proactive approach to work and self-driven leadership.
• Fluency in English is required, with strong written and oral communication skills.

We Offer

• Opportunity to work with a leading global humanitarian and development organization.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Chance to make a significant impact in conflict-affected and recovery contexts.

About the Company

Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian and development organization working with communities in the frontlines of conflict and climate change. We partner locally and globally to help people cope in the midst of crisis, adapt to a changing world, and thrive into the future. In 2025, we reached more than 36 million people with urgent aid and long-term solutions.

Enhancing resilience is at the heart of what Mercy Corps does and how we work. We strengthen sources of resilience to enhance the capacities of people, markets, and institutions to handle shocks, reduce risk, build more equitable and responsive systems, and improve well-being. Through our programs, partnerships, and influence, we support communities to cope, adapt, and ultimately thrive.