Location: remote - Asia based required (preferred experience in Pakistan, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar)

Closing date: Please submit applications by February 6th 2026

Applicants should clearly indicate their thematic areas of expertise as well as the countries in which they have prior experience when applying to the roster.

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.

In Asia, Mercy Corps works across seven countries spanning Central, South, and Southeast Asia, utilizing a participatory and evidence-based approach to strengthen equitable access to climate-resilient food systems and water security, foster economic opportunities, and promote inclusive community decision-making and governance. Mercy Corps’ programming contributes to enhanced resilience for communities across Asia—with an intentional focus on marginalized groups—through locally-led, inclusive, climate-smart, and evidence-based systems strengthening solutions.

Mercy Corps’ work in the region centers around four key outcomes aligned with the organization’s Pathway to Possibility (P2P) strategy:

• Applying a market systems development (MSD) approach to enhance economic opportunities, Mercy Corps’ Asia teams facilitate opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), youth and small holder farming communities to improve climate resilient and inclusive economic growth and development.
• Mercy Corps food security programs in Asia use a systems-based approach to promote sustainable natural resource management and climate-smart agriculture to improve access to nutritious foods, while also meeting acute needs during crises through nutrition-sensitive cash and voucher assistance (CVA) that prioritizes vulnerable groups, including remote rural communities, women, and minorities.
• To ensure sustained and equitable water access and food security, Mercy Corps addresses water security by improving water infrastructure, supporting efficient water management and governance, and integrating climate-resilient agricultural practices to support communities’ access to reliable, safe, and productive water resources.
• Mercy Corps’ Asia teams strengthen peace and good governance outcomes by applying systems-based, locally led approaches that empower government, private sector, civil society to deliver human-centered inclusive services, support communities in times of crisis, and build long-term resilience.

Purpose / Project Description:

Mercy Corps invites qualified individual experts to join the Asia regional consultant roster, a centralized and pre-vetted pool of technical specialists who can be mobilized to provide advisory services and support ongoing programs, new business opportunities, and strategic initiatives across the region.

By joining the roster, consultants become eligible for consideration for upcoming assignments across the region. Consultants will be engaged on an as-needed basis according to the specific technical expertise required for each assignment. For every consultancy, Mercy Corps will develop a detailed scope of work outlining the tasks, deliverables, and duration of the assignment.

Applicants should clearly indicate their thematic areas of expertise as well as the countries in which they have prior experience when applying to the roster.

Consultant Activities:

Mercy Corps Asia is establishing a roster of qualified consultants who will provide expertise and support programs and strategic initiatives on an as-needed basis across the following technical areas:

Area 1: Market Systems Development (MSD) – Consultants with Market Systems Development (MSD) expertise will help design and facilitate systemic change in agricultural and non-agricultural markets. Activities may include conducting value chain or market assessments, leading program design processes, lead write proposals, support on private sector engagement, and designing inclusive business models that strengthen livelihoods, promote competitiveness, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Area 2: Climate Resilient Agriculture / Regenerative Agriculture – Consultants with expertise in climate resilience and/or regenerative agriculture will support efforts to improve soil health, water conservation, and sustainable farming practices. They will help design interventions that enhance agricultural productivity while restoring ecosystems, sequestering carbon, and improving resilience to climate shocks. Activities may include conducting value chain or market assessments, leading program design processes, lead writing proposals, and supporting stakeholder engagement.

Area 3: Integrated Water Resource Management – Consultants will provide expertise in managing water resources for urban and rural water systems, including agricultural systems. This includes designing and promoting climate-resilient irrigation and water management solutions, improving water-use efficiency, and supporting policies and governance frameworks that strengthen sustainable, community-based water management. Activities may include conducting needs assessments, leading program design processes, lead writing proposals, and supporting stakeholder engagement.

Area 4: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) – Consultants with technical expertise in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) will bring knowledge of designing and implementing WASH interventions. Experience with rural and urban water systems, hygiene behavior change, and integrating WASH with climate resilience and food security interventions is particularly valuable. Activities may include conducting needs assessments, leading program design processes, lead writing proposals, and supporting stakeholder engagement.

Area 5: Climate Change Adaptation – Climate adaptation specialists will design and advise on interventions that reduce climate vulnerabilities and increase adaptive capacities. This includes advising on best practices in climate-smart agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and/or natural resource management across program design and implementation. Activities may include conducting needs assessments, leading program design processes, read writing proposals, and supporting stakeholder engagement.

Area 6: Anticipatory Action and Disaster Preparedness – Consultants specializing in anticipatory action and disaster preparedness will support Mercy Corps’ efforts in Anticipatory Action, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Disaster Risk Management programming. Activities may include conducting needs assessments, leading or advising in program design processes, lead writing proposals, and supporting stakeholder engagement.

Area 7: Disaster Risk Insurance – Disaster risk insurance specialists, particularly with indemnity and parametric insurance expertise, will help design and pilot insurance solutions that protect households, farmers, MSMEs, communities and other stakeholders from climate- and disaster-related losses. Consultants may support the development of indemnity and parametric insurance products, conduct market and feasibility studies, model hazards, exposure, and payout triggers, and facilitate partnerships with insurers, financial institutions, and government agencies.

Area 8: Climate Finance – Consultants with expertise in climate finance will help identify and mobilize climate finance instruments and funding to support Mercy Corps’ climate programming in Asia, including developing proposals and investment cases for development finance institutions (DFIs), and facilitating partnerships for blended finance. Experience with institutions such as the GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund, Development Finance Institutions/Development Banks (e.g., World Bank, IFC, ADB, EBRD), and innovative finance instruments (such as blended finance models, guarantees, impact bonds, carbon or plastic credits) is particularly desired.

Area 9: Cost and Pricing – The cost and pricing consultant will work closely with the Mercy Corps Asia regional and country teams to develop and/or review budgets and budget narratives for proposals and other new business opportunities. This may include leading on budget development alongside proposal design colleagues, consolidating multi-country budgets for proposal submissions, providing support on complex and strategic proposal budgets, and ensuring that the final budget is competitive and compliant with donor regulations and Mercy Corps’ internal requirements.

Consultant Deliverables:

Specific deliverables will be agreed upon based on the requirements of each assignment and defined in the corresponding scope of work. However, in general, the consultant may:

• Conduct technical assessments and analyses, such as needs and market assessments, climate risk profiles, feasibility studies, or sectoral landscape reviews.
• Provide expert technical advice to Mercy Corps teams, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen program design, implementation, and strategy.
• Design or refine program approaches, tools, and methodologies aligned with Mercy Corps’ global and regional frameworks.
• Develop high-quality written products, including reports, concept notes, proposals, technical briefs, guidance materials, or training resources.
• Support business development, including leading or supporting technical designs, log frames, activity planning, reviewing and writing proposals.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement, including consultations, co-design sessions, coordination meetings, and private-sector or financial institution outreach.
• Participate in periodic check-ins and presentations, sharing findings, recommendations, and progress updates with Mercy Corps teams.

Timeframe / Schedule:

To be determined based on the parameters of the specific scope of work and assignment.

The Consultant will report to:

Deputy Regional Director Asia – Programs

The Consultant will work closely with:

• Emma Rios Sanchez, Senior Business Development Advisor – Asia
• Awards Management Team – Asia
• Mercy Corps Asia Country Teams
• Other country, regional, and HQ technical team members as required

Required Experience & Skills:

• Technical expertise in one or more of the technical areas outlined above (i.e. MSD, climate-resilient agriculture, water resource management, WASH, climate change adaptation, DRR/anticipatory action, climate financing, disaster risk insurance, and proposal budgeting).
• Minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in one of more technical areas in Asia.
• Proven ability to provide high-quality technical advisory support, including in program design, strategy development, program and proposal development.
• Thorough and incisive understanding of at least one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Uzbekistan.
• Strong analytical and assessment skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into clear findings and recommendations.
• Experience designing logical frameworks, methodologies, programs and guidance materials relevant to the technical area of specialization.
• Strong writing and communication skills, with a track record of producing clear reports, briefs, concept notes, proposals and other deliverables.
• Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including government entities, private-sector actors, donors, and community groups.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to proposal development, including technical writing, activity design, and budgeting.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality outputs remotely.
• Fluency in additional regional languages is an asset.
• Preference for candidates who are based in Asia or have significant experience of working within the region.
• Applicants should specify their thematic areas of expertise and the countries where they have relevant experience.

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.