Internship - Humanitarian Access Team (Applications will only be accepted if submitted online, through the URL link provided. (Kindly do not send emails to lb-recruitment@mercycorps.org))

Mercy Corps responsibilities

For the duration of this internship assignment the HAT Intern will receive:

● Training and supervisory support

● Workstation with computer, internet, and phone access

● Access to Mercy Corps online tools

● All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project to be undertaken

Intern responsibilities

Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:

● Travel to and from Mercy Corps Offices exceeding the daily stipend amount

● Laptop for working remotely

● All other costs associated with this internship

PROJECT & INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION:

The Middle East Regional Humanitarian Access Team (HAT) supports Mercy Corps programs throughout the region in four key areas: programs, strategy, advocacy, and security.  The HAT analytical unit monitors social media, 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 conflict, both individual incidents and trends, both present and forecasted, and then links this with its respective impact on the local population.  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; assesses programmatic, partner, and operational risk; identifies and maps stakeholders; and maintains a mapped database displaying program locations, the locations of commodities and their values, and disaggregates this data by donor and risk threshold.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

An internship with the HAT would provide students with a unique opportunity to gain nuanced insight into humanitarian crises in the Middle East region as well as practical experience conducting operational research and analysis, the latter especially being a rapidly growing field.  It will also give student an opportunity to see how academic theory, research, and methodology functions practically and in real time.  HAT interns will gain critical professional skills, experience, and networks that will increase their competitiveness and career development, as well as provide a comprehensive understanding of not only the humanitarian/development ecosystem, but also how these organizations engage with, impact, and at times exacerbate complex humanitarian crises.   . 

DELIVERABLES:

1. Contribute to the HAT weekly report
2. Contribute to and produce regular situation reports and thematic products on conflict dynamics
3. Contribute to and independently produce area assessments and community assessments
4. Responsible for translation and editing of HAT products

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

• Enrolled in a bachelors or graduate degree program;
• Proficiency in Arabic and English required; experience in translation is a plus;
• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Detail-oriented;Computer proficient and savvy, especially strong working knowledge of Google Docs and Excel;Flexible and willing to work on tight deadlines on both administrative and program support activities;