Our Crisis Analysis 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.
Several countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (MENAE – Mercy Corps’ administrative region) have established Crisis Analysis teams and presence, and have been using it as a strategic tool that contributes to our agency-wide impact and evidence-driven commitment by generated evidence through enabling innovative analytical tools and methodologies to unpack complex contextual phenomena and support decision making and influencing key stakeholders and our larger ecosystem across the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus.
Across the MENAE, Crisis Analysis has seen significant expansion in response to the significant conflict and overlapping crises currently being experienced across these countries. This includes a Crisis Analysis capacity at the regional level, complementing the work of our dedicated country CA teams such as Lebanon and Syria. The regional team is increasingly managing multi-country analysis and research projects, thematic regional analysis, and direct gap filling support for our country teams. As such we’re seeking to recruit a research project manager to support our regional Crisis Analysis team.

Position Overview
The regional project manager will be largely responsible for project management support for ongoing Mercy Corps regional Crisis Analysis (CA) projects. This includes a collaborative project with UNDP and funded by RDPP Phase III on a research and advocacy project towards durable solutions to the Syria Refugee Crisis, focusing mostly on Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. The regional CA Project Manager will also be supporting other ongoing and future CA projects in the region that needs dedicated support. The regional CA project manager will work closely with a range of in-country Crisis Analysis teams, as well as a growing regional Crisis Analysis team supporting cross-country and multi-country projects, as well as the relevant global support teams to ensure the effective coordination and delivery of complex multi country research projects. This includes working closely with the Regional MENA-Europe Crisis Analysis Advisor on country expansions.

Responsibilities
Program Management and Program Quality

• Manage workflow and workload to maximize impactful output across managed CA teams and projects.
• Proactively seek opportunities to introduce new methodologies and technologies where they add value.
• Coordinate the production of time-sensitive, data-driven analytical products to support programmatic decision making.
• Ensure the Crisis Analysis outputs meet the unique needs of its target audiences and meet Mercy Corps’ minimum standards for Crisis Analysis work.
• Manage the finalization process for each research and analysis output, including (but not limited to): copy editing and proof reading; data visualizations, maps, and graphics; internal review process (including risk/sensitivity review); external review process; and page layout.
• When appropriate lead the composition of external engagement materials (such as slide decks) and provide briefing/presentations to relevant external stakeholders.
• Support the systematic use of evidence, data and analysis in programmatic decision making within Mercy Corps MENAE Crisis Analysis Teams.
• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of Mercy Corps’ programming across the region.
• Build and maintain relevant networks that improve the quality of products and present findings to internal and external parties.
• Contribute to proposal writing and business development as needed.

Program Compliance

• Work closely with Regional and Global Finance and Compliance teams to ensure compliance with donors and Mercy Corps regulations (including PM@MC minimum standards).
• Liaise with Mercy Corps HQ to facilitate donor requests for review and approval of program activities (e.g. program adaptations, events), communications initiatives (e.g. press releases, reports, campaigns) and other initiatives that require donor approval within the parameters of the award contract.
• Ensure that program is executed in alignment with the donors’/ In the case of the RDPP funded project, UNDP’s agreement and the applicable donor/ UNDP regulations , staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance; updating partnership process, tools, policies and procedures as necessary.
• Communicate compliance expectations, donor policy updates/changes, and other relevant guidance to relevant country leadership and stakeholders and assist in the development of CA-wide strategies to adhere to such guidance, as appropriate.

Team Management

• Hire and supervise team member(s) responsible for administrative, reporting, and support duties for the consortium.
• Develop the capacity of the supervisees, deepen their understanding of their role and assist with career development.
• Assist Mercy Corps and partner team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Support CA teams and Senior Leaders across the region and represent Crisis Analysis and Mercy Corps as appropriate.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Assist in recruiting, orienting, and new team members and consultants onboarding as necessary.
• Ensure the team’s size and skill set remains suitable to delivering against the mandate, including through recruiting and securing resources via proactive business development.

RDDP-Funded Project specific responsibilities:
The position will be responsible for coordinating research and analysis for an upcoming research collaboration between Mercy Corps and UNDP on durable solutions for Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, funded by RDPP. These include:

• Lead on the overall project outputs for Mercy Corps components of a project that focuses on advocacy for durable solutions backed by strong research and analysis
• Lead on coordination with UNDP as the Prime of the project and as the project lead
• Together with UNDP lead on all research and analysis related engagement with external stakeholders, including (but not limited to): national and international NGO fora, UN agencies, Regional Refugee & Resilience Plan (3RP) stakeholders, research/analysis partners, etc.
• Budget management and forecasts in coordination with Project Lead UNDP. Also ensuring relevant approvals for program activities and changes are taken from UNDP.
• With relevant Mercy Corps advisors, coordinating regular project quarterly reporting (MEAL) to UNDP that feed into learning and annual reports to RDPP
• Lead and coordinate on all research/analysis-based outputs and products on behalf of Mercy Corps.
• Based on consultations with UNDP and external stakeholders, develop the project’s research agenda and ensure revisions are aligned with overall project trajectory and pre-determined and emerging themes.
• Assume responsibility for the quality and alignment of all research, evidence, and analytical products with the overall objectives of the RDPP project.
• Develop, manage, and amend project workflows to ensure timely production of high-quality research and analysis outputs.
• Ensure design, planning, and resourcing of evidence-oriented outputs is planned appropriately based on timeliness, budget availability, purpose/product type, and in consideration of contextual sensitivities.
• Draft consultant scopes of work; lead the identification/recruitment and contracting process for consultants; coordinate consultant payments.
• Draft scopes of work and oversee tendering, contracting, and payment process for research service providers.
• Coordinate composition of specific deliverables, in collaboration across Crisis Analysis teams and with expert consultants.
• Ensure that analytical products are specifically designed to provide actionable evidence for policy and advocacy purposes . Acting as the primary focal point with UNDP for all RDPP funded project activities and meetings.

• Shared and direct management responsibilities of several Crisis Analysis analysts,
• Supervisory responsibilities of technical consultants supporting CA project deliverables across the region.

Accountability
Reports Directly To: MENAE Deputy Regional Director- Programs
Works Directly With: MENAE Crisis Analysis Advisor, Syria Crisis Analysis (CA-Syr) Director Lebanon Crisis Analysis Team Leader (LCAT), MENAE Quantitative Analysis Specialist

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

• Degree in (geo)politics, international relations, refugee/migration/displacement studies, sociology, economics, political science, public policy, or a related field; master’s degree or other post graduate credentials an asset
• Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic
• Demonstrated in-depth understanding of durable solutions principles and refugee-related research and analysis
• At least 3 to 5 years of experience in reporting (research/analysis) in a think-tank, UN, or NGO setting; experience analyzing the Middle East conflict is a plus
• At least 3 to 4 years of experience in research and/or project management of small teams
• Demonstrated experience identifying and assessing multidimensional contextual risks, particularly as related to humanitarian, early recovery, stabilization, resilience, and development programming
• 5 years of experience collecting and analyzing primary and secondary data related to political, social, economic, governance, or conflict analysis
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative research is an asset
• Excellent coordination and organizational skills, including good representation skills

Success Factors

• Crisis Analysis reports and other donor deliverables delivered to a high quality and on time.
• Successful coordination across multiple teams and country programs.
• Regular external stakeholder engagement towards socializing evidence produced by teams with appropriate audience.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
May include travel up to 25%

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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.