Political Economy Analyst (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the URL link provided below)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program / Department / Team (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 quantitative and qualitative 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.

The Position

The Political Economy Analyst is a mid-level position in the team, learning from and providing support to more experienced colleagues. S/he will be expected to quickly develop and maintain a real-time understanding of multidisciplinary topics with a focus on economic trends across the Middle East. Leveraging quantitative and qualitative data analytical skills, s/he will assist in providing visual, written, and verbal understandings of localities, crises, and dynamics, interpreting complex sets of data for non-technical audiences within the humanitarian community. 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 monthly reports and other reports with a thematic focus.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work including with external stakeholders and direct reports if applicable

Practices the values of Mercy Corps as detailed in the Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies including respecting the dignity and well-being of community participants and fellow staff members

Holds themselves accountable for making appropriate decisions that impact community members and team members

Takes responsibility for their personal and professional behavior 

Encourages openness, transparency and communication in their team; encourages team members to make any reports if they have any concerns using internal reporting mechanisms (i.e. Integrity Hotline, HR etc.)

Demonstrates a high level of integrity and treats others with respect

Essential Responsibilities 

Reporting

Assist in drafting weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports discussing socio-economic, political, and geo-political events.

Identify and utilize secondary quantitative data sets to interpret patterns and context-specific phenomenon related, but not limited to, economics, trade, climate, agriculture, and additional themes.   

Use open source, partner data, statistical data, and academic reports to collect, process, clean, and analyse information.

Assist in the development of purpose-specific methodological tools for data collection and analysis of quantitative data. 

Conduct qualitative research related to actor mapping, stakeholder analysis, and trend analysis.

Support the design and development of visual interpretations of analysis, including graphs, charts, maps, and infographics.

As directed, research specific geographic locations with a focus on humanitarian dynamics (including access, needs, and activities) and actor dynamics present in the area.

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

Analysis

Maintains a strong understanding of the context in the Middle East (political, migration, legal, social / tribal and conflict).

Prepare and contribute to monthly reports and assist on larger thematic outputs and reports led by HAT.

Identifies topics for exploration on the Middle Eastern context. Understands and analyzes regional economic issues (for example, monetary policy, trade, poverty, migration) of interest to the humanitarian and development community.

Prepare and contribute to monthly reports and assist on larger thematic outputs and reports led by HAT.

Commissions economic studies and analyses on the Middle Eastern context; Develops research proposals related to the internal or regional economic situation.

Develops dashboards and other data-driven products.

Supports forward-thinking methodological perspectives that enable anticipatory analysis, such as  economic forecasting and modeling for technical products.

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.

Support the overall continuation of a culture of a team, which is highly aware of the context.

Contributes to a culture of collaboration and curiosity driven by humanitarian principles.

Supervisory Responsibility

Up to 1 junior team members and/or interns

Accountability 

Reports Directly To: Lead Analyst

Works Directly With: HAT Team Members, Technical Advisors, Program Staff

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills 

Masters Degree in Political Science, Economics, Data Analysis, or a related field is required

Excellent written and verbal communication in English and Arabic

At least 4 years of analytical experience within a think-tank, UN, or NGO experience; experience analyzing the Middle East conflict is a plus

At least 2 year of experience processing and analyzing quantitative and/and qualitative data sets

Proven experience in quantitative analysis with software/platforms such as R suite, SPSS, STATA, or similar tools; experience with Python an advantage 

Primary and secondary research/academic experience in political science, sociology, economics, or conflict analysis.

Experience in economic reporting,analysis, and forecasting is an asset.

Experience with big data analysis is an asset.

Experience with GIS tools (ArcGIS, QGIS) is an asset.

Experience with graphic design (Indesign) is an asset. 

Success Factors 

The role requires a high level of attention to detail strong sense of discretion and excellent research and writing skills preferably in Arabic and English In addition to having a strong analytical background and research experience the role requires someone with a can-do attitude who is able to multitask communicate effectively and prioritize responsibilities in a fast-paced environment. Competitive candidates will showcase a willingness to creatively solve problems and work on multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Amman, Jordan or Beirut, Lebanon and it can include up to 20% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. 

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. 

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.