Temporary – Crisis Analytics Manager – Edinburgh, London, The Hague – 12 months Duration

Location: Edinburg, or London UK, The Hague, NL Position Status: Full-time, Temporary Duration: 12 months – starting as soon as possible Salary: Edinburgh:circa 45.5K; London: circa 53K; The Hague: circa 52K

Candidates must have the independant right to work in the UK or NL at the time of appointment.

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

This position is part of the Humanitarian Capacity subteam of the Humanitarian Leadership and Response (HLR) team. As an agency, Mercy Corps works to achieve real and lasting impact in the world’s toughest humanitarian emergencies. We save lives and help people live with dignity in crises of all kinds. At the same time, we create the conditions to pivot to innovative and transformative recovery quickly and effectively. We work wherever local capacity is overwhelmed; connecting people to the opportunities they need to strengthen their community in recovery. Whether it is a sudden shock or a slowly emerging crisis, whether the threat is natural or political, no matter how complex the environment, Mercy Corps is committed to bold, rapid, needs-driven assistance. Mercy Corps supports a response that is market driven and leverages the capacities of both traditional and non-traditional aid partners—and ultimately gives people the ability to make their own decisions and secure their own lives and livelihoods.

The HLR team supports humanitarian action through the work of four subteams: Humanitarian Response, Humanitarian Capacity, Crisis Analysis, and Global Safety and Security. Each team contributes, both within their area of expertise as well as through cross-team collaboration, to the delivery of the overarching HLR Strategy FY21 in support of Mercy Corps’ Global Vision.

Our 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 gathered directly, from open sources and from responders’ programmatic data, and subjecting it to analysis by multi-disciplinary teams. 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 Position

The Manager for Crisis Analytics is a key member of the Humanitarian Leadership and Response (HLR) team. They support the quality growth, uptake and impact of Mercy Corps crisis analysis across the organization and wider humanitarian ecosystem.

Working under the guidance of the Senior Director for Crisis Analytics (SDCA), the Crisis Analytics Manager will focus their expertise in three broad areas of engagement: active support to established, and and set-up of new, field analysis teams; development and implementation of improved editorial, duty of care, and quality standards for research and analysis; and analytic content generation at global/regional level.

At the direction of the SDCA and/or Vice-President for Humanitarian Leadership and Response (VP/HLR), the SACA will be expected to regularly provide direct support to field programs. This role is an accomplished manager who is comfortable starting and leading analysis teams in varied contexts at short notice. This may be in support of a new humanitarian emergency response, or in times of transition (in the context or the team) for existing CA teams.

To this end, the Crisis Analytics Manager can expect to spend the majority of their time providing strategic advice to Country Directors/Directors of Programmes, as well as having line management and budgetary responsibility for analysis platforms within field programmes.

In order to do this, the Crisis Analytics Manager will work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Principal among these are: country level analysis teams; Regional Directors; Country Directors; Global Security; Programme Operations; Technical Support; Policy and Advocacy.

In supporting established and new field analysis capability, under the guidance of the SDCA, the Crisis Analytics Manager will have full responsibility for start-up activities, beginning with gathering and interpreting information needs from the country management team and donor (where relevant). Based on this, the Crisis Analytics Manager will develop and put in place management structures, policies, and recruit staff members. The Crisis Analytics Manager will retain management/oversight until team leaders are fully onboarded, then transition to providing ongoing governance and quality assurance – all in consultation and coordination with country and regional teams.

In developing robust but responsive editorial, quality and duty of care standards and policies, the Crisis Analytics Manager will be expected to work with a wide range of internal stakeholders across the global organization, as well as draw on external resources. S/he will also lead on operationalizing the policies and standards arising from this process at field level.

In addition, the Crisis Analytics Manager will act as a focal point for developing, writing and promulgating analysis products addressing global or regional issues. This high-level analysis will seek to synergize and promote cross organizational insights, and provide a resource for relevant country management teams as well as supporting Global Mercy Corps initiatives. In undertaking this work, s/he would be expected to work with members of the global organization’s Senior Leadership as well as colleagues in the Technical Support Unit and Policy and Advocacy teams.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND VISION

• Contribute towards Mercy Corps’ Vision for Humanitarian Response and the Humanitarian Leadership and Response (HLR) Strategy.
• Support the SDCA in the articulation of a vision and strategy for crisis analytics globally and in the key geographies where analysis functions/teams, tools and technology platforms are deployed.
• Ensure the implementation of the global crisis analytics vision and strategy through established and new field analysis teams.
• Support Strategic Compass Objective development and reporting regarding crisis analytics as well as support the development of strategies for select and relevant countries or themes.
• Follow closely current events and major trends in the humanitarian/crisis response community, with a particular focus on emerging trends in analysis and cutting edge approaches. Align these priorities with existing field-based analysis where possible to keep outputs current and relevant.
• Strategically position Mercy Corps as a go-to organization on crisis analysis through regular contribution of analyses and reports.
• Develop and maintain an awareness of Mercy Corps’ culture and values as well as humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law.
• Support the appropriate integration of Crisis Analysis into Regional and Country Strategies.

INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

• Produce and share with internal and external stakeholders sharp, timely and influential analysis on global or regional matters.
• Develop and nurture internal and external relationships and networks to ensure optimum communication of analyses and reports.
• As directed, attend relevant global fora, conferences, seminars to share and promote Mercy Corps products and approach to crisis analytics.
• Work with the advocacy, research, learning, communications and social media teams to promote Mercy Corps crisis analysis products in order to increase the organization’s profile, humanitarian voice and competitiveness, and to advance specific advocacy and influence goals.
• As directed, represent Mercy Corps with donors to promote and fund analysis work as well as global institutions for strategic partnerships where Mercy Corps analysis is valued and influential.

CRISIS ANALYSIS LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

• Establish and run new Crisis Analysis teams in conflict- and disaster-affected contexts, taking a formal position within the relevant country’s management structure, and taking responsibility for strategy, recruitment, establishment of Standard Operating Procedures, management structures, analytical outputs, etc. until such time as HLR and field team management are satisfied the team is self-sufficient.
• In times of transition, either due to changes in personnel or the context, take leadership of existing Crisis Analysis teams as above.
• Contribute to wider HLR team discussions and initiatives, as required, promoting awareness of Crisis Analysis work across HLR, as well as proactively identifying synergies and opportunities for cross-team collaboration for program impact.
• Serve as a key link for crisis analysis with Technical Support Units, Policy and Advocacy, Communications and other global teams. Maintain oversight over outputs, governance, recruitment and management of nominated Crisis Analysis teams as directed by SDCA
• Support the maintenance of governance structures for crisis analysis efforts and teams in any given geography.
• Assist country programs and regions with crisis analysis capabilities in planning annual goals, defining areas of expertise, and developing funding and advocacy plans including an effective communication mechanism for learning and coordination to achieve optimal impact.
• Ensure effective, transparent use of resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies/procedures.
• Work and/or liaise with wider Humanitarian and Leadership and Response (HLR) team members in case of new emergencies that may require crisis analysis support – and stand ready to be deployed to crisis contexts.
• During field deployments, proactively work with country and regional leadership to develop a “Humanitarian Voice” that draws from the relevant crisis analysis. This could include development of brief statements to describe the humanitarian situation, evolving dynamics against relevant elements of context to tie to policy points and communications.

LEARNING AND IMPACT

• Support the Crisis Analytics team to develop and measure indicators and impact of crisis analytics activities on our programs, wider response efforts as well as Mercy Corps influence objectives. Identify improvements based on feedback from key stakeholders and promote adaptations as needed in crisis analysis approaches.
• Maintain a Mercy Corps’ community of crisis analysis practitioners and initiatives.
• Publications of learnings: As needed, write case studies, learning documents, short articles, and blogs, for both internal and external audiences.

Supervisory Responsibility

Data for Impact Advisor; Assistant Programme Officer (Crisis Analytics); new crisis analytics teams in set-up phase and established teams during transition phase (up to 15 staff).

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior Director, Crisis Analytics

Works Directly With: Vice-President for Humanitarian Leadership & Response and the wider HLR team, Country Leadership, Regional Directors, Advocacy, Research, Learning and Communications Teams, and other team members as needed.

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

• MA/S or equivalent in international development, political or social science management or other relevant field.
• Eight to 10 years’ experience in context analysis or other political-economic analyses.
• Ideally, substantive prior experience with an international organization engaged in fragile, crisis-affected countries.
• Experience of managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Program management experience in an international context.
• Exceptional analytical and conceptualization skills. Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of the critical humanitarian/development and peace/conflict issues especially in fragile environments.
• Proven negotiation, communication, organization, and prioritization skills and experience.
• Strong representation and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations, including traveling to insecure environments, is required.

Success Factors

The successful candidate must be a self-starter who brings flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm to every project s/he undertakes. The candidate must have proven experience with program start up, implementation and learning of a few different types of projects. S/he is an excellent writer and communicator, has a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. Multi

tasking with proven ability to manage competing priorities, follow procedures, and meet tight deadlines is required. The Senior Advisor must take an active role in building and maintaining relationships as well as demonstrating the drive and initiative to contribute to team efforts. It is essential the candidate is able to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in varied cultural, political, and religious environments doing intense and dynamic work. S/he will be able to influence and advocate with limited authority and work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders. S/he is proactive in seeking engagement and feedback.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Edinburgh, London or The Hague and requires regular travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

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