Crisis Analyst
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. 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 Analysis function to support our programming in the most complex
contexts, including Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, and others. The Crisis Analysis 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 Analysis – Syria (CA-SYR) aggregates and analyses data to improve decision-making and
access in complex crises. The team directly contributes 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. CA-SYR 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 CA-SYR products range from daily updates during high-intensity periods, to regular weekly
Whole-of-Syria summaries, to in-depth thematic reports and scenario planning.
General Position Summary
The Crisis Analyst is a mid-level position in the team, learning from and providing support to more experienced
colleagues. S/he is expected to build on their pre-existing knowledge of the Syrian context, and quickly develop
and maintain a real-time understanding of multidisciplinary topics and dynamics, within both Syria and the wider
ME region, that impact Mercy Corps’ operations in Syria (countrywide). Leveraging their analytical skills, s/he will
assist in providing visual, written, and verbal understandings of localities, crises, and dynamics, and at times, lead
on select whole deliverables or collaborate on various sections/deliverables with other team members. S/he will
assist in analysis and forecasting products centered around (geo-)political shifts, political economy and markets,
social dynamics, climate and crisis, and governance structures, with the purpose of identifying drivers of need and
anticipated knock-on effects of conflict. S/he will work with analysts and specialists to feed into decision-making
for Mercy Corps’ Middle East programming and strategy. S/he will work with the Crisis Analysis – Syria team,
based in Beirut, Lebanon or Amman, Jordan.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Overall
● Lead in drafting daily reports, sections of CA-SYR periodicals, as well select ad hoc thematic reports,
dissecting socio-economic, political, and geopolitical events as assigned by Lead Analyst.
● Assist in the development of purpose-specific methodological tools for data collection and analysis of
quantitative and qualitative 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, and contributes to the development of CA-SYR’s research
and analysis agenda, in collaboration with the CA-SYR team members.
● Proactively develops and seeks support in developing their own analytical capacities
● Participates and supports external engagement opportunities, in terms of presenting analytical
conclusions and findings to stakeholders and senior management, in alignment with the CA-SYR Lead
Analyst and Director.
Analysis
● Maintains a strong understanding of the context in Syria from a multi-thematic/sectoral and geographically
holistic point of view.
● Lead on specific sections of CA-SYR monthly reports and assist with larger thematic outputs and reports
led by CA-SYR Lead Analyst. At time, lead on select ad hoc thematic reports assigned by the Lead
Analyst.
● Assists in developing research proposals, work plans, and the composition of analysis for specific
products relevant to the Syrian context and CA-SYR’s core audience.
● Identifies topics for exploration in the Syrian context. Understands and analyzes regional economic issues
(for example, monetary policy, trade, poverty, migration) that could impact the Syrian context and are
relevant to Syria-focused stakeholders within the humanitarian and development community.
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
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
Accountability
Reports Directly To: CA Lead Analyst.
Works Directly With: CA 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
● At least 5 years (with an undergraduate diploma; 4 years with Master's degree)of analytical experience
within a think-tank, UN, or NGO; experience analyzing the Syrian conflict is a plus
● Primary and secondary research/academic experience in political science, sociology, economics, or
conflict analysis
● Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Economics, Data Analysis, or a related field is required. A Masters
degree in the abovementioned fields is an asset.
● Excellent written and verbal communication in English and Arabic
● Demonstrated experience producing research deliverables related to humanitarian, security, governance,
essential services and livelihoods contexts in Middle East countries.
Success Factors
The role requires a high level of attention to detail, a 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 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.
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.
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.
