Governance 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 analyse 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, and combining it with analysis by subject matter experts. 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 Governance Analyst will have a real-time understanding of Governance structures in the ME region that impact Mercy Corps operations in Middle East(Country wide). S/he is expected to help analyze risk and construct mitigation strategies, analyse development in the region on s macro and micro level subject to the tasks at hand. S/he will help forecast political movements, needs and anticipated knock-on effects of conflict. S/he will work with the Humanitarian Access Team (HAT) based in Beirut.

Essential Job Responsibilities

OVERAll

• Advise the HAT Director with updates on evolving developments in the region (governance structures, developments) as relates to Mercy Corps programs and humanitarian activities.
• Works under the lead annalyst to identify and report on new or emerging development issues of potential concern to the international community.
• Work independently in specific governance thematic reports on the emerging political situation across Middle East
• Ability to present findings on key reports to stakeholders and senior management when needed.

ANALYSIS

• Maintains a strong understanding of the context in Middle East (political, social / tribal and conflict) on a sub-national level.
• Prepare and contribute to weekly reports and assist on larger thematic outputs and reports led by HAT.
• Commissions studies and analyses on the Middle Eastern context specific to political and governing institutions.
• Develop research proposals related to the internal or regional political situation.
• Support the overall continuation of a culture of a team, which is highly aware of the 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:

• Ability to supervise a small team (1-3) of researchers/analysts on a project to project basis.

Accountability

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

Knowledge and Experience

• Excellent written English and Arabic
• Analytical experience within a think-tank, UN, or NGO experience; experience analyzing the Middle Eastern conflict is a plus
• Primary and secondary research/academic experience in political science, sociology, economics, or conflict analysit

Success Factors

A successful candidate will see opportunities where Mercy Corps programs can compliment policy related to refugees and explore new partnerships or program modalities with private sector and local government.  S/he will be able to relate programming in Middle East with policy and work closely with regional teams to enhance our capacity and approach towards risk and access strategies. S/he will work on short deadlines and therefore, calm, flexible, patient and creative. S/he will support the entire Mercy Corps global team with briefings, representation and other issues related to Middle East programs.

Living/Environmental Conditions

10% travel time is expected.

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.