Consultant – Global Leadership Gathering Facilitation Lead – Kenya and Remote

Background:

On 6–10 March of 2023, Mercy Corps will host a Global Leadership Gathering (GLG) in Nairobi Kenya to build connections and alignment of our Leadership Community around the agency’s 10-year strategy, the Pathway to Possibilities. Previously held every 2 years, this GLG will be the first major in-person global leadership gathering since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the arrival of our current CEO and other agency leaders, and the launch of the Pathway to Possibilities.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic facilitator to guide the design and execution of this important leadership event. The 2023 GLG aims to build momentum for realization of the Pathway to Possibilities among individual, regional, and global leaders and to strengthen and evolve Mercy Corps’ global leadership community.

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:

In collaboration with the GLG Design Committee, this contractor will lead facilitation and contribute to the design of Mercy Corps’ five-day Global Leadership Gathering for approximately 130 board members and senior leaders from across the agency. The contractor will bring their expertise and experience facilitating consultation, decision-making, learning, and relationship building within large and diverse multi-cultural groups to design and facilitate a Global Leadership Gathering that excites and connects global agency leaders for Mercy Corps’ mission and Pathway to Possibilities, the agency’s ten-year strategy.

Consultant Objectives:

In the months leading up to the March 2023 GLG, the contractor will work with our GLG Design Committee to contribute to the development of a focused plan for each day of the GLG so that we:

• Identify, position and prepare for future global trends that will impact Mercy Corps
• Inspire ourselves, colleagues and key stakeholders for success in our mission and our Pathway to Possibilities
• Ensure alignment and build connection among our Leadership Community, partners, and stakeholders

During the GLG, the consultant will provide lead facilitation to achieve GLG objectives in a manner that is engaging and responsive to the needs of the GLG participants and Design Committee. Facilitation will take place in English with accommodations for participants with greater comfort in alternative languages.

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will:

The Contractor will plan and facilitate activities to unite and inspire participants, as well as challenge us to generate tangible “action items” for realizing our Pathway to Possibilities at every level of the organization. This will entail:

• Participating actively in the GLG Design Committee in the months preceding the GLG.
• Supporting individual presenters and session leaders in developing and refining their facilitation plans and presentations so that they are consistent with GLG objectives and achieve the highest possible engagement and impact.
• Supporting the elaboration of a GLG agenda and corresponding communication plan that engages leadership and the global organization.
• Leading the development and execution of a facilitation plan for all plenary sessions and breakout sessions as needed.
• Debriefing at the end of each day and following conclusion of the GLG with other Design Committee members to capture learning and make adjustments as required.
• Adapting facilitation in consultation with the Design Committee as required and in response to daily feedback and the overall event experience.

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will deliver:

• A well designed and facilitated Global Leadership Gathering (GLG) in 2023.
• A robust and detailed facilitation plan with support needs, supplies, and equipment specified for all assigned points in the agenda.
• Report(s) on GLG design and facilitation learning, as requested by GLG Design Committee.

Timeframe / Schedule:

• Participation in at least bi-weekly GLG Committee meetings starting mid-November.
• Final Agenda by the end of calendar year 2022.
• 2-3 days per week prep time will likely be required to refine session plans in February.
• Arrival to Nairobi on or before March 4, 2023.
• Facilitation of the GLG will take place March 5-10 in Nairobi, Kenya.
• Final Report due March 24th, 2023.

The Consultant will report to:

Sr. Director for Program Performance and the Strategic Leadership Team

The Consultant will work closely with:

The GLG Design Committee

Required Experience & Skills:

• 5-10 years of experience in a technically relevant field
• Proven experience successfully designing and leading large and diverse global conference events.
• Excellent skills in large and small group workshop and event design and facilitation.
• Solid experience designing in person adult learning experiences.
• Exceptional cross-cultural communication experience.
• Skill in managing difficult, sensitive, and thought-provoking conversations.
• Ability to adapt rapidly and thoughtfully in the face of change or unexpected events.
• French, Spanish, and/or Arabic language skills preferred but not required.

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 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 Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.