Analyst (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the link provided)

About Mercy Corps

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.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps’ has developed a Crisis Analytics function to support our programming in the most complex contexts, including Middle East, Libya, Democratic Republic of Congo and others. The Humanitarian Access Team, Middle East (HAT) supports Mercy Corps’ in-country programming as well as the wider humanitarian response in the region through the provision of quality, timely and relevant analytical products.

Mercy Corps’ crisis analytics teams aggregate and analyze data to improve decision making and access in complex crises. The teams directly contribute to data-driven decision making by layering information from primary sources, open sources and responders’ programmatic data, where it is analysed by subject matter experts and data scientists.. This analysis is grounded in Mercy Corps’ status as an operational NGO, keeping our products constructive and relevant for humanitarian responders and donors within a given crisis. The HAT also serves as a real-time information hub; vets potential partners; assesses programmatic, partner, and operational risk; identifies and maps stakeholders; and works with internal partners to better enable data-driven decision making.

Written HAT products range from daily updates during high-intensity periods, to regular weekly Whole-of-Middle East summaries, to in-depth thematic reports and scenario planning.

General Position Summary

The Analyst is a development role within the team, learning from and providing support to more experienced colleagues. S/he will be expected to quickly develop and maintan a real-time understanding of political, social, security and economic trends in the ME region that impact Mercy Corps operations across Middle East. S/he will work with analysts and specialists to feed into decision-making for Mercy Corps’ Middle East programming and strategy. S/he will help forecast humanitarian and economic needs and anticipated knock-on effects of conflict.  S/he will be responsible for delivering specific products including weekly reports.

Essential Job Responsibilities

OVERAll

• Identifies and reports on new or emerging issues of potential concern to the international community, particularly those of a regional or global nature.
• Assist lead analysts and other technical analysts on projects, while also being able to produce products independently.
• Proactively develops and seeks support in developing their own analytical capacities
• Supports on administrative tasks as required
• Contributes to a culture of collaboration and curiosity driven by humanitarian principles

ANALYSIS

• Maintains a strong understanding of the context in Middle East (political, migration, legal, social / tribal and conflict).
• Prepare and contribute to weekly reports and assist on larger thematic outputs and reports led by HAT.
• Identifies topics for exploration on the Middle Eastern context.

STRATEGY & Culture

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed. Contribute to the development of strategies.
• Understand and express complex crises in terms of humanitarian needs, access restrictions, and threats to the humanitarian community.

Organizational Learning

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• n/a

Accountability

• Reports directly to: HAT Lead Analyst
• Works directly with: All members of the team

Knowledge and Experience

• Excellent written English and Arabic.
• Research or monitoring and evaluation experience within a think-tank, academia, UN, or NGO with a demonstrated passion for moving into crisis analysis. Experience with research or analysis within the Middle Eastern context is a plus
• Experience living/working in MENA region is an asset

Success Factors

In this development role the Analyst will be expected to be a self-starter, identifying opportunities for their own development, and areas where they can offer support to more experienced members of the team. They will be driven by curiosity about the drivers of conflict and crises, such as bringing in wider regional dynamics, and they will contribute to a culture of curiosity and focus on humanitarian outcomes within the team.

The Analyst will be able to think critically and objectively. They will question sources and look for new perspectives. S/he will occasionally work to short deadlines and be adaptive, calm and creative.

Living/Environmental Conditions

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.