Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for Impact & Knowledge Management-Field Enumerators to join our dedicated and talented team in Davao City, Philippines on our mission to create business solutions to poverty!

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The five-year initiative, Resilience and Inclusion through Investment for Sustainable Agrikultura (RIISA), strives for more resilient and inclusive economic growth for women and men cacao smallholder farmers (SHFs), including religious and ethnic minorities, in Mindanao, Philippines, from strengthened cacao market systems supported by investment. With a focus on Davao region and exposure to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), RIISA responds to multiple challenges in the Philippines cacao sector and draws on MEDA’s experience in market systems development (MSD), Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) business support, gender lens investing (GLI), gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and environment and climate change (ECC). RIISA will address sectoral constraints by piloting an innovative market systems approach that identifies cacao market system gaps, mobilizes investment capital, and strengthens local capacity; as well as strategically gathering learnings that can be replicated to strengthen the cacao sector’s enabling environment.

With support from the Government of Canada, MEDA is implementing Resilience and Inclusion through Investment for Sustainable Agrikultura (RIISA). This project aims to support inclusive economic opportunities in the poor, rural areas of Mindanao (Davao Region and BARRM areas), in the Philippines. Aligned with the Government of the Philippines’ post-coronavirus (COVID-19) recovery response, this project works to increase the productivity of cacao farms and enterprises, particularly those led by women, while promoting gender equality and resiliency in communities vulnerable to conflict and climate change.

 RIISA will address cacao SHFs socio-economic challenges while contributing to market systems resilience (MSR) by:

Mobilizing gendered Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) focused investment for cacao sector small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and financial intermediaries (FIs). Strengthening the capacity on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and human rights (HR), and Environment and Climate Change (ECC), of local business service providers (BSPs) to deliver better services and products to cacao SMEs and cooperatives. Strengthening the capacity of cacao cooperatives and smallholder farmers (SHFs) for environmentally sustainable and inclusive farming and business practices. Improving the key enabling environment actors’ awareness of gendered Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices in the cacao market system. MEDA expects that RIISA’s investment and TA will directly benefit more than 5,400 SHFs (40% women), while indirectly impacting more than 30,000 members of cacao SHF households, employees of cacao SMEs and cooperative members. MEDA expects to have positive impacts in the wider investment and market system enabling environment through the project’s Strategic Learning Agenda (SLA).

POSITION SUMMARY

The purpose of this engagement is to provide support to the Impact & Knowledge Management (IKM) Unit of the project entitled Resilience and Inclusion through Investment for Sustainable Agrikultura (RIISA) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Mennonites Economic Development Associates (MEDA), in collecting Annual Survey data from Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives including small holder farmers, collecting monitoring data specific to gender, environment & climate change contributing to project’s performance management framework (PMF).

In reference to project goals, the IKM Data Collection Activities have employed a quantitative approach to profiling project clients (SHFs, SMEs and Coops) and collected data to establish baseline values at the start of project. Additionally, a combination of qualitative methods to reinforce data interpretation and analysis will be conducted to deepen and triangulate quantitative data collected. The data collection activities starts mid January to March 2024.

Job Status:  Consultant Short-Term Contract (for 4 vacancies)

Duration of engagement: mid-January to March 2024

Location: Davao City, Philippines

Under the guidance of MIM Manager and direct coordination with MDMO, the Field Enumerators are expected to generally deliver the following tasks specific to data collection:

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Participate in Data Collection Training using qualitative and quantitative methods Tools testing Provide support in additional client registration for both Cohort 1 and 2: data encoding and client profiling Collect monitoring data from Cohort 1 & 2 SMEs & Coops using qualitative methods (KIIs & FGDs) Collect Annual Survey Data using quantitative tools from at least 250 selected smallholder farmers from at least 10 cooperatives, remote or in person Encode/ process all qualitative & quantitative data noted/gathered in the data processing template provided. Write stories of change from data collected using quantitative and qualitative method Collect feedback (through remote data collection and farmer site visits) from clients on project’s activities recently conducted

QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Required Qualifications and Experience

Completed a Bachelor's Degree in the field of Social Sciences, Development Studies or any related field. Recent graduates are welcome. Must be knowledgeable with both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods and analysis; Significant experience in field data collection in Davao Region; Proficient in Microsoft Software use i.e., Word, and Excel including use of smartphones in data collection Philippine Applicants must be preferably based in the following areas: a) Davao City/ del Sur, ;b) Davao de Oro and/or c) 1 Davao del Norte

Required Competencies

High sense of responsibility, ability to plan and organize work Be an excellent communicator who can initiate and continue interactions with the people who share their insights and knowledge. Ability to work accordingly to schedule and can prioritize responsibilities and tasks to Ability to work in a collaborative environment with minimal supervision With significant skills in organizing tasks, reporting, communication, representation, negotiation and diplomacy. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Keenness to understand, interpret and share feedback reported in good faith, when necessary Self-motivated with a positive attitude towards tasks assigned. Hard-working, innovative, creative, and eager to learn additional skills and knowledge.

Communication Skills: Good written and oral communication skills in English and local language (Tagalog and Cebuano).

General:  Ability to collaborate, build consensus and negotiate in accordance to situation in the field. Strong ability to come up with creative solutions.

Travel Requirements: Able to travel in Davao Region and work in hybrid work setting (on-site, field work and work from home).

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants must submit requirements online through this posting with updated resume and cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements of the position.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis when received. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. Only successful applicants will be contacted and will be invited for the next round of recruitment process.

MEDA is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities are available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring such accommodation make their needs known in advance.