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.
Program / Department Summary
The Humanitarian Access Team (HAT) supports Mercy Corps programs throughout Libya in four key areas: assessing access, developing operational and programmatic strategies, crafting advocacy messages, and security. The HAT focuses on conflict, both individual incidents and trends, both present and forecasted, and then links this with its respective impact on the local population. The HAT analytical unit monitors social media, communicates with partners, validates data through primary sources, and interfaces with relevant international organizations in order to gather and collate relevant conflict, access, and stakeholder information. The HAT therefore looks not only at violence, but also at those underlying factors that trigger conflict and displacement such as governance and service provision, war economy dynamics, past displacement patterns, local, regional and international politics, social identity and intercommunal relationships, and Libyan modern history. The HAT also serves as a real-time information hub; vets potential partners; assesses programmatic, partner, and operational risk; identifies and maps stakeholders; and maintains a mapped database displaying program locations, and disaggregates this data by donor and risk threshold.
General Position Summary
The Research Consultant is responsible for undertaking research on patterns of humanitarian aid diversion in Libya and drafting a final report with policy and advocacy recommendations. Under the supervision of Mercy corps Humanitarian Access Advisor, the Consultant will develop a research methodology and report structure for the study and write a final thematic report. The report will be based on a desk review, interview with key stakeholders identified by the researcher and the HAT adviser and analysis of relevant data.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Draft a consolidated concept note in liaison with the HAT
- Conduct a desk review to inform commencement of data collection.
- Undertake interviews and organize meetings with stakeholders to gather information
- Summarize and analyze the key findings
- The report is expected to outline a advocacy recommendations which align with the findings and humanitarian principles.
Throughout the phases, the Consultant will be expected to collaborate with the HAT as necessary for field data collection activities, and ensure they are conducted in a diligent and harmonized manner.
Strategy & Vision
- Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
- Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to strategy development.
- Understand and express conflict in terms of humanitarian needs, access restrictions, and threats to the humanitarian community.
- Develop the product and increase the clarity of information provided in HAT analysis for the commissioned product
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- 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.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Humanitarian Access Adviser
Works Directly With: HAT Team
Knowledge and Experience
- Strong experience in research in Libyan Geopolitics, Economic, or Conflict analysis or research. Research related to humanitarian interventions is a plus.
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in International Affairs, Middle Eastern Studies, Political Studies, or Public Administration. Candidates with a relevant master’s are strongly preferred.
- Ability to read and speak Arabic (experience in understanding and working in Libyan dialect is a plus). Excellent spoken and written English is required.
- Analytical or research experience within an NGO, private consultancy, or think tank;
- Experience analyzing the Libyan conflict
- Primary and secondary research/academic experience in political science, humanitarian operations, economics, or conflict analysis
- Extensive experience living/working/studying in the Middle East and North Africa region is a major plus.
- Data analysis experience a plus
Desirable
- Previous consultancy experience preferred
Success Factors
- The successful International Research Consultant should be flexible, patient, creative, and persistent. He/She will work both collaboratively with other members of the team as well as independently on self-originated products as required by an ongoing context of the conflict. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is home based with travel to Tunis, Tunisia and possible travel to Libya.
More Information
- Job City Tunis
