Cross-Sectoral Analyst - HAT (Applications will only be accepted if submitted online, through the link provided)

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Humanitarian Access Team (HAT) supports Mercy Corps programs throughout the region in the analysis and assessment of four key areas: programs, strategy, advocacy, and security.  The HAT analytical unit monitors secondary data sources, communicates with partners, validates data through primary sources, and interfaces with relevant international organizations in order to gather and collate relevant conflict, access, and stakeholder information.  The HAT focuses on crisis response, trends, both present and forecasted, and links with the impact on the humanitarian context.  The HAT therefore looks not only at violence, but also at those underlying factors that trigger conflict and displacement such as governance and service provision, war economy dynamics, past displacement patterns, local, regional and international politics, social identity and intercommunal relationships. The HAT also serves as a real-time information hub; vets potential partners; assists with programmatic, partner, and operational risk; identifies and maps stakeholders; and maintains a mapped database displaying relevant population data including population movements.

The primary outputs of the HAT are to:

• Draft analytical reports to inform the humanitarian community’s strategic response to a humanitarian

crisis;

• Inform programmatic decisions using data and contextual knowledge in order to maximize impact and minimize programmatic risk;
• Assist in assessing programmatic and physical security risks, including identifying trends and providing potential scenarios for contingency planning;
• Inform advocacy by providing objective, local, and informed inputs.  

Objectives

• To identify and utilize primary and secondary data sources relevant to humanitarian analysis.
• To provide the team with relevant crisis information, context, and insights.
• To provide analysis in regards to Mercy Corps programming and conflict dynamics.
• To effectively work as a team member in all group objectives.
• To produce situation, thematic and other reports produced by the HAT.

Activities:

The Analyst will:  

• • Have a strong understanding of cross-sectoral issues including military, political, economic and social developments impacting on regional crises and be able to analyze and report on these issues.
  • Follow media outlets, social media, private networks and other secondary data to obtain detailed and reliable information regarding conflict dynamics.
  • Undertake statistical analysis of data bases and mapping as required.
  • Assist with the weekly report, detailing the scope, direction, and impact of the regional crisis dynamics.
  • Coordinate with identified members across the different Mercy Corps hubs in the region  
  • Engage in cross trainings with the HAT team to broaden technical understanding and skill bases.
  • Contribute and / or produce analysis and thematic papers and develop original research for use in HAT products.  
  • Conduct contextual briefings to the different Mercy Corps teams and other peer INGOs
  • Work in a committed manner with consistency, integrity and discretion
  • Be prepared to extend contacts and sources to reflect a broader view of the crisis situation, providing Mercy Corps with impartial and objective information.  
  • Maintain informal and formal links to peer agencies and personal networks relevant to Mercy Corps programming.  

 Deliverables:

The Analyst will:

• Contribute to all relevant HAT reporting, including Daily, Weekly, Monthly Reports.
• Produce analytical products relevant to Mercy Corps programming.
• Produce situational reports and contribute to HAT’s analysis.
• Conduct effective monitoring of the regional conflict and crisis dynamics. 

The Analyst will report to: 

HAT Director

The Analyst will work closely with:

Humanitarian Access Team Director, lead analysts, editorial support, the analytical team and broader Mercy Corps Programs.  

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Middle Eastern studies, international affairs, social studies, political studies, or other relevant field. Master’s degree in any of these fields is considered an advantage.
• Native Arabic speaker required.
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Previous work experience in the humanitarian sector considered an advantage
• Active interest in media relations
• Active interest in Middle East humanitarian and development issues
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced work environment
• Solid computer skills. Must be able to work effectively and accurately with Microsoft Word, Google docs, Excel, email and internet applications 
• Flexible work attitude: able to work productively in a team environment as well as independently