Program Area Assessment Officer (3 positions) - (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. The Humanitarian Access Team (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 analyzed 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 HAT is developing a new analytical unit, the Program Area Assessment (PAA) unit, that will deliver key localized contextual updates for program teams.  The PAA officer will be placed within this unit, and will liaise both within the research unit, and with program managers.

General Position Summary

This position will introduce key localized expertise and analysis to assist program teams. Specifically, the position will deliver analysis that links trends (economic, social, political, conflict) to their impact on humanitarian and development programming decisions. The PAA officer will develop their own products, contribute their specific expertise to the work of other officers, and contribute to other research projects involving analysis and program teams.

The PAA officer will work within the Humanitarian Access Team (HAT) to provide key analytical support to Mercy Corps programs implemented in the Middle East.

The assessments delivered by the PAA officer are key analytical documents that are used in the decision making process for program implementation and require thorough research and analytical skills, contextual knowledge of the Middle East context as well as the ability to triangulate a range of information sources in order to more greatly benefit and improve program implementation.

The unit’s products will guide influence the course of Mercy Corps’ programming, serving two distinct purposes:

1. Provide information to program and operations teams that enables them to appropriately design risk mitigation plans; and
2. Develop a knowledge repository and build expertise on programming landscapes and Middle East partners, enabling relevant staff to consult previous products
3.  

Essential Job Responsibilities

OVERAll

• Advise the Research Manager with updates on evolving developments in the region as it relates to Mercy Corps programs and humanitarian activities
• Work both with the larger analytical team on major analytical projects on an ad hoc basis.
• Able to lead technical projects independently
• Work alongside program teams, reporting key localized analysis to inform and assist program implementation.
• The PAA officer will liaise with program teams, deliver briefings and presentations to program teams and provide key analysis upon request.
• The PAA officer will develop key understanding of local security, economic, conflict and humanitarian dynamics within the Middle East.

ANALYSIS

• Maintains a strong understanding of the context in across the Middle East (political, legal, social / tribal and conflict)
• Develops key analytics products for program teams based on local area dynamics
• Performs presentations and updates for program teams
• Support the overall continuation of a culture of a team, which is highly aware of the context.
• Provides detailed analysis and insights on key developments) using open source analysis
• Supports research and data collection around specific issues or projects, as requested.
• Supports program teams with as hoc requests covering region specific analysis and reports.

. 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 conflict 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:

No supervisory responsibilities are expected for this post.

Accountability

• Reports directly to: Program Analysis Assessment (PAA) Manager  
• Works directly with: HAT and Program teams.

Knowledge and Experience

• Degree in Economics, Politics, Law, International Relations, conflict studies or a related field is an asset
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Excellent written and Spoken Arabic
• 1 to 2 years of Analytical experience within a think-tank, UN, or NGO experience; experience analyzing the Middle East conflict is required
• Primary and secondary research/academic experience in political science, sociology, economics, or conflict analysis 
• Extensive experience living/working in MENA region is an asset
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative research is an asset

Success Factors

A successful candidate will see opportunities where Mercy Corps programs can complement 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.

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.