Lead Analyst: Ukraine Crisis Analytics Team

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.

The Program / Department / Team

Mercy Corps’ Ukraine crisis response seeks to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Ukrainians and other conflict-affected people where they are: displaced inside Ukraine, refugees in Poland, Romania and Moldova, or trapped behind frontlines. We aim to reach 500,000 vulnerable people with multi-purpose cash assistance, in-kind humanitarian support, and protection services across four countries. Almost all of our impact will be delivered in partnership: with Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian and Moldovan civil society organizations through a granting program that matches humanitarian action with capacity strengthening, and with peer international NGOs through a consortium in Ukraine.

Mercy Corps’ Crisis Analytics 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 has established a Ukraine Crisis Analytics team. The Ukraine Crisis Analytics team helps Mercy Corps make programmatic and operational decisions, based on analysis of humanitarian needs and access. The team will also provide insight into the regional economic and social impacts of the crisis, as well as the impact on humanitarian operations in contexts that are particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of the crisis.

The Position

The Lead Analyst is responsible for the effective functioning of the Ukraine Crisis Analysis Team as a critical support function to Mercy Corps Ukraine Response, through the delivery of cross-cutting thematic analysis and timely strategic humanitarian and crisis data relevant to the programmatic activities in high and extreme risk areas. S/he is responsible for the day-to-day management of workflows, alignment of products & services with the priorities of the multi-country response, quality control of products, and developing a process of continuous improvement within the team.

The Lead Analyst will leverage their experience working in the humanitarian analysis sector to translate audience needs into high-quality analytical products. S/he will meaningfully engage with the program teams, to identify trends and issues for the team to monitor and explore, improving Mercy Corps and the wider humanitarian community’s ability to operate with impact. S/he will work under the direction of the Security and Humanitarian Access Lead and coordinate with other senior leadership within the wider response to ensure that products are relevant and support the complex implementation of the response across multiple countries.

The Lead Analyst will support the production of regular thematic analytical products, including drafting, providing inputs and reviewing products. S/he will provide the final quality control of all products and be accountable for the quality of all Ukraine Crisis Analysis outputs. The Lead Analyst will have the responsibility of growing and managing the Crisis Analysis team. To support the professional development of team members, the Lead Analyst will need to have sufficient understanding of relevant skills including, analysis, primary data collection, fieldwork in complex contexts, mapping/GIS, utilization of quantitative data sets and tailoring the presentation of findings to different audiences.

The Lead Analyst is expected to bring and maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the dynamics of the Ukrainian context, as well as the broader regional dynamics. S/he will leverage their experience in the humanitarian and development sector to cultivate appropriate networks to improve data collection and impactful dissemination. S/he will have a flexible approach and be familiar with using non-traditional tools and information sources to generate insights within a dynamic environment. This will come from an experience in analysis, familiarity with humanitarian data-sets, informal data collection, local networks, and a collaborative and open-minded approach to problem solving. The Lead Analyst will be equally comfortable leveraging granular knowledge of local field networks and researchers, as employing “big data” tools in conjunction with AI-driven predictive modeling capacities.

S/he will also provide an advisory role to senior leadership, with a particular focus on humanitarian access, as well as leading presentations of the team’s work to external stakeholders (donors, partners, peer organizations etc.). The Team Leader will engage with counterparts from Mercy Corps’ other Crisis Analysis teams, and the global Crisis Analysis team, as part of a community of practice.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND COORDINATION

• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of Mercy Corps’ programming across the multi-country response.
• Design and ensure the timely delivery of an array of analytical products that meet the specific information requirements of the Ukraine Response, the Response Directors, the Security & Humanitarian Access Lead, the Response Policy and Advocacy Team and the Global Crisis Analysis team.
• In coordination with the Security and Humanitarian Access Lead and the Response Director, strategically organize and lead briefings with donors, coordination forums, and other external stakeholders ensure analysis is shared as appropriate.
• Articulate and refine the evolving vision for the Ukraine Crisis Analysis team, based on program and analytical needs within the agency’s wider strategic response.
• Develop and implement an effective strategy based on an understanding of the added value and strengths of Crisis Analysis.
• Contribute to the Ukraine Response’s overall strategy and where relevant, to the regional strategy.
• Identify and develop opportunities for growth and development of the Ukraine Crisis Analysis Team.
• Manage the measurement and analysis of key performance indicators to enhance and inform strategic decision making.

PROGRAMMING AND ANALYSIS

• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of Mercy Corps’ programming across the multi-country response.
• Lead the production of time-sensitive, data-driven analytical products to support programmatic decision making.
• Follow closely current events and major trends in the Ukraine humanitarian/crisis response community. Align these priorities with existing field-based analysis where possible to keep outputs current and relevant.
• Ensure the Crisis Analysis team’s outputs meet the unique needs of its target audiences, and meet Mercy Corps’ minimum standards for Crisis Analysis work.
• Have final responsibility for quality control of products and engage with the review process of all outputs.

TEAM MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

• Lead a team conducting specialized research on historical, political, economic, and social dynamics that impact humanitarian access and response.
• Build the capacity of the team by supporting the development of analytical and research skills.
• Prioritize projects and manage internal teamwork flows to meet changing timelines and immediate information requirements.
• 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.
• Coordinate with field researchers to ensure data collection is efficient to the team’s requirements and suitably disaggregated.
• Use their networks to triangulate information, assist with due-diligence, whenever required by field teams and/or senior leadership.

SECURITY

• 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.

Accountability to Participants

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

Analyst, Ukraine Crisis Analysis Team, Enhanced Due Diligence Analyst, Ukraine Crisis Analysis, Field Researchers

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Security & Humanitarian Access Lead, Ukraine Response

Works Directly With: Global Crisis Analytics team, Ukraine response team, Ukraine Crisis Analytics team, Global Policy and Advocacy, Asia 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

• Master’s degree in a relevant field
• At least five years’ experience in security and/or conflict analysis
• At least two years field experience deployed in an active conflict environment
• High-level written and analytical skills
• Experience in liaising with diplomatic and multi-national organizations as well as international NGOs, other non-governmental organizations, donors and academic institutions
• Able to demonstrate extensive experience in a variety of formal and informal approaches to data collection within Ukraine and/or the surrounding region.
• Experience in remote access humanitarian programming and analysis.
• Demonstrated capacity for analysis that supports decision making.
• Able to convey complex information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to build and maintain networks of information sources across different geographic locations, sectors and perspectives.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment with high-levels of collaboration.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience leading, training, and coaching a team
• Willingness to work and travel in difficult and insecure environments.
• Competency in internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Competency in social media tools including Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp.
• Academic, practical, and professional knowledge and experience in Ukraine is an asset
• Verbal and written fluency in English. Knowledge of Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian, or Russian is an asset

Success Factors

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 is based in Ukraine, L’viv or Kyiv. Living conditions are in group housing: water, electricity and internet are present. This position requires travel to surrounding countries, as security permits. Given the emergency context, this position requires exceptional work schedules, including evenings and weekends.

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