consultancy – Project Manager, Resilience and Adaptation Fund Learning Facility (RAFLF)

Description

Duration: end 31 March 2026

Structure: 4 days/week

Start: October 6, 2026

Project Location(s): Home base, United Kingdom (with potential travel)

Please note this consultancy is contingent on the confirmation of funding

Background:

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.

Purpose / Project Description:

Mercy Corps is recruiting a Project Manager for the FCDO funded, Resilience and Adaptation Fund Learning Facility (RAFLF). The RAFLF will curate, compile and develop evidence and learning both to support and inform current Resilience and Adaptation Fund programmes and make the case for and inform future investment in resilience and adaptation programming.

Consultant Objectives:

The Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of the project, ensuring that all project goals and objectives are met in a timely and effective manner. The role will require leadership, coordination, monitoring, and reporting on progress to stakeholders.

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will:

• Project Management
  • Under the guidance of the Project Lead, manage all phases of the project lifecycle, from initiation to closure.
  • Oversee the development, planning, and implementation of the project plan, ensuring all deliverables align with project objectives.
  • Provide support and coordination to cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with the overall project goals.
  • Coordinate the contracting of and workplans of consultants and Mercy Corps staff working on the Project to ensure timely delivery.
  • Monitor and assess project risks, developing risk mitigation strategies.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Act as the primary point of contact for all project-related communications.
  • Maintain regular communication with key stakeholders, including donors, consultants, implementing partners.
  • Facilitate meetings and working groups to provide updates and progress reports to stakeholders.
• Logistics and Operations Management
  • Coordinate the logistics and operational aspects of project activities, including the procurement of consultants, goods and services, travel, and event organization.
  • Ensure project activities are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
  • Develop and implement robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks to track project performance – as needed
  • Ensure project data is collected, analyzed, and reported on time, and in line with donor requirements.
  • Provide periodic reports on the project’s status, achievements, challenges, and risks.
• Financial Management
  • Monitor the project’s budget, ensuring that all expenditures align with the allocated funding and providing frequent reports to the Project Lead.
  • Ensure financial systems, procedures, and controls are in place to manage the project budget efficiently.
  • Collaborate with the finance team to ensure accurate financial reporting and forecast adjustments.
• Risk and Compliance Management
  • Identify and mitigate project risks (financial, operational, reputational, and technical) on an ongoing basis.
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, regulations, and donor requirements, including safeguarding, gender equality, and anti-corruption standards.

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will:

• Project Work Plan: A detailed work plan outlining key milestones, deadlines, and responsible parties. This will include detailed workplans for each of the Project deliverables (report publications and workshops).
• Ensure the submission of financial reports
• Stakeholder Communication: Monthly updates and ad-hoc briefings to key stakeholders.
• Risk Management Plan: A comprehensive risk management strategy, regularly updated.
• Donor reporting: A detailed report as per donor requirements and as per any requests for updates

Timeframe / Schedule:

End March 31 2026

The Consultant will report to:

Selena Victor, Senior Director Policy & Advocacy

The Consultant will work closely with:

Olga Petryniak, Senior Director, Resilience

Lizzy McDonald, lead consultant

Required Experience & Skills:

• Educational Background: A degree in international development, project management, business, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• At least 3-5 years of experience in international development, preferably in the context of climate resilience – however this is not essential
• Proven track record in managing multi-disciplinary teams and donor-funded projects and excellent project management skills to ensure timely delivery of quality outputs with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong experience in financial and budget management.
• Familiarity with the UK government’s international development policies and fcdo processes
• Experience working with international donors such as fcdo is highly desirable.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Expertise in M&E, project reporting, and risk management.
• Fluency in English
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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.

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