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.
The Program / Department / Team
Mercy Corps’ Crisis Analysis teams aggregate and analyze data to improve decision making and access in complex crises. The teams support our programming in Syria, Lebanon, Democratic Republic of Congo and other locations. 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 products constructive and relevant. Typical products and services range from informal briefings to weekly products, contributions to risk assessments, in-depth assessment of the political economy of a defined geography, deep-dives on specific thematics, etc., ranging in themes from conflict to market systems to governance, in line with programmatic needs.
In response to the complex humanitarian situation in Ukraine as well as the regional implications of this crisis, Mercy Corps established a Ukraine Crisis Analysis team (UACAT). In 2024, UACAT will expand its reach as a broker for operationally relevant analyses. The role of UACAT is one of guiding and influencing 1) decisionmakers at policy and advocacy levels, and 2) those within the development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian sectors who are implementing programs on the ground.The team will provide insight into the national and regional economic and social impacts of the war, as well as the impact on humanitarian operations in contexts that are particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of the war.
The Senior Analyst is a member of Mercy Corps’ Ukraine Crisis Analysis Team reporting directly to the UACAT Manager. The Senior Analyst is responsible for developing and delivering cross-cutting thematic analysis and timely strategic humanitarian and crisis data relevant to the programmatic activities in high and extreme risk areas.
The Senior Analyst will have principal responsibility for the drafting of regular, periodic thematic analytical products that improve Mercy Corps operations’ and programmes’ understanding of this highly complex and dynamic context and inform the broader international aid sector on wartime trends, sudden shifts and future shocks in the context that require adaptive measures. The intent of these products will be primarily set by the Manager, but the Senior Analyst will be required to produce relevant, high quality content that meets the needs of audiences, iterating and improving products based on audience feedback and changing requirements.
The Senior Analyst works with the Manager to contribute to briefings to stakeholders and is therefore able to present professionally and distill the ongoing analytical outputs for easy consumption.
The Senior Analyst is expected to bring and maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the dynamics of the Ukrainian context, as well as the broader regional dynamics. The Senior Analyst will bring a strong network of contacts and continue to grow this network to strengthen UACAT’s analysis output. The Senior Analyst will leverage their understanding of the humanitarian and development sector, and their ability to meaningfully engage with the Mercy Corps programme teams and external stakeholders from the international aid sector to identify trends and issues for the team to monitor and explore. These outputs will improve the ability of Mercy Corps and the wider humanitarian community to operate with impact. The Senior Analyst will have an excellent understanding of the information and analysis space in Ukraine and the region and existing providers including governments, international organizations, aid actors, think tanks, media, universities etc. The Senior Analysis will use this understanding to ensure the competitiveness of UACAT’s products and support the Manager in forging collaborations and partnerships to produce joint analytical outputs.
The Senior Analyst will adopt a flexible approach and a willingness to use non-traditional tools and diverse information sources in order to generate insights within a dynamic environment.
Essential Responsibilities
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- Lead the drafting of periodic and ad-hoc cross-cutting thematic analytical products that meet the current and future information needs of identified audiences.
- Develop bespoke products as directed.
- Inform programmatic and operational decision-making through the production of insightful and concise analysis products.
- Identify new areas of focus based on the understanding of audience needs.
- Design research agendas and analysis methodologies for new products.
- Collaborate throughout the analytical process with all colleagues in the team.
- Provide internal and external briefings to high-level stakeholders, as directed.
- Develop and maintain an awareness of humanitarian principles, international humanitarian law and Mercy Corps’ culture and values.
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- Manage Analysts to ensure output delivery and rigorous data collection.
- Ensure quality of analysis produced by junior analysts.
- Build the capacity of the team by supporting the development of junior analysts’ analytical and research skills.
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- Organize junior analyst’s tasks per UACAT workplan.
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- Maintain contextual awareness, including the possibility of regular trips to field locations.
- Build inter-organisational relationships to facilitate access to third-party data sources.
- Build and maintain the informal networks of the information source across program locations in Ukraine and the surrounding countries.
- Coordinate with field researchers to ensure data collection is efficient to the team’s requirements and suitably disaggregated.
- Use their networks to triangulate information, , whenever required by field teams and/or senior leadership.
- Ensure organizational and national data protection policies are part of UACAT’s information cycle.
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- Work closely with the Manager on stakeholder engagement at coordination and partnerships levels and with internal and external stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of Mercy Corps’ programming.
- Support Manager in understanding the information needs of programme teams and external stakeholders.
- Proactively engage with the Global Crisis Analysis team and counterparts in other countries.
- Build inter-organisational relationships to facilitate access to third-party data sources.
- Build and maintain relevant networks that improve information and the quality of products.
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- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
- Ensure compliance with and implementation of Mercy Corps safeguarding measures.
Supervisory Responsibility
Analyst (1), Field Researcher (1)
Reports Directly To: Manager, Ukraine Crisis Analysis Team
Works Directly With: Global Crisis Analysis team, Ukraine response team, Ukraine Crisis Analysis team (GIS Senior Officer, Analysts, Senior Analysts, and Manager), Global Policy and Advocacy, Middle East Regional Program Team, various external stakeholders
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
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- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, Master’s degree is an asset.
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- Minimum of three years’ experience in conflict analysis, investigative journalism, humanitarian programming, research or a related field.
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- Excellent report writing.
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- Excellent oral presentation skills.
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- Able to demonstrate extensive experience in a variety of formal and informal approaches to data collection within Ukraine and/or the surrounding region.
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- Experience in remote access humanitarian programming and analysis.
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- Demonstrated capacity in using analysis tools and software .
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- Ability to use databases and other information systems for data analysis.
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- Able to convey complex information to a variety of audiences.
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- Ability to build and maintain networks of information sources across different geographic locations, sectors and perspectives.
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- Experience in liaising with diplomatic and multi-national organizations as well as international NGOs, internationalorganizations, donors and academic institutions.
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- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills.
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- Experience leading and coaching a team.
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- Experience working in a fast-paced environment with high-levels of collaboration.
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- Willingness to work and travel in difficult and insecure environments.
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- Competency in internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
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- Competency in social media tools including Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp.
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- Verbal and written fluency in English required. Knowledge of Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, or Romanian strongly preferred.
The successful candidate will be a key member of a diverse team where curiosity, critical thinking and the ability to see beyond the surface level are highly valuable. A professional attitude, demonstration of integrity, discretion and excellent work ethic are key aspects to the success of this new position. Strong communication skills (listening, speaking, writing) are imperative to developing positive relationships and representing the analysis team well. Interpersonal skills, openness to learning and humility are important attributes to working effectively within a context with significant diversity. The Lead Analyst will bring strong time management and organizational skills and will have the ability to work in a fast-moving environment as a team member who will take initiative on projects and support others in their initiatives.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position will be based in either Dnipro or Kyiv, Ukraine, and requires travel to MC field offices including Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Lviv; it may occasionally require travel to program sites in insecure locations where freedom of movement and amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in shared housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.
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.
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.