GBLCAREERS

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

Mercy Corps Nigeria implements a variety of programs with the vision of a Nigeria in which all people are empowered, engaged, resilient and secure. The organization’s programs are implemented in twelve states, mainly in north and north-east Nigeria and Lagos. Our work covers the following sectors: economic development, livelihoods/food security, adolescent girls & boys empowerment, financial resilience, conflict mitigation and humanitarian response. Common themes include community engagement, inclusive development, gender, and working in partnership with local government, the private sector and civil society actors.

Nigeria is a complex, sophisticated society – and the crisis in its north-east has many dimensions. Mercy Corps is committed to the goal of better understanding crisis contexts in order to deliver better impact for the people and communities we serve. Only by understanding, in real time, not only what has happened but the political, social and economic dynamics underlying conflict and displacement can we hope to optimize impact and influence. Globally, Mercy Corps has humanitarian analysis teams currently deployed in Syria, Libya and Yemen and has the intent of both expanding the reach of this analysis and deepening its ability to match data-driven machine learning with human insights.

This new position will pilot the development of rich, timely context analysis in selected north-eastern states, including mapping of conflict dynamics and the humanitarian situation, to inform program decision-making, assurance of safety and security for Mercy Corps staff and assets and those of our partners and the communities we serve, and to shape policy messages to local, regional, national and international actors.

General Position Summary

The Context Analyst assists the country program in understanding the complex crisis situation in north-east Nigeria. The analyst will utilize an extensive network of field contacts – both within Mercy Corps’ sphere and outside of it – to gather information on different dimensions of the crisis, consolidate it and analyze it for critical insights. Areas of focus for data gathering will include, inter alia, the social, political, and economic dynamics that shape the crisis and its manifestations in the north-east; consolidation of varying humanitarian indicators; and conflict reporting.

The Analyst will develop a strong network of information and opinion sources; be able to scan, filter and interpret news and social media outlets; and be familiar with local, national and international power holders and influencers and how they interact to shape the crisis situation and impact humanitarian operations.

She/he will produce clear, concise and timely analytical reports that can inform Mercy Corps’ own program, security and operational decision-making, as well as be fed into policy development and advocacy as appropriate at local, federal and international levels (both by Mercy Corps and by the wider NGO community.) In addition to frequent and regular context reports, the Analyst will coordinate more in-depth occasional thematic or situation reports, act as a focal point on humanitarian issues with Mercy Corps’ global Research and Learning and Policy and Advocacy teams (as guided by the Country Safety and Security Manager and the Country Director), and provide ad hoc briefings to programs and operations key staff and teams as directed and appropriate.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Systems and Reporting 

• Develop and grow a network of field contacts to serve as sources in shaping and developing a rich understanding of the political, social and economic environment in areas of focus.
• Maintain a constant scan of traditional and social media in order to inform analysis of the humanitarian situation.
• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of Mercy Corps’ programming and the humanitarian situation in general in areas of focus and for populations of particular interest (e.g. youth).
• Consolidate and digest diverse data to produce weekly broad-based context reports and at least one or two thematic or situation reports (illuminating specific issues or locations in greater depth) as directed by the Country Director (Nigeria) and the Senior Director for Humanitarian Analysis (global).
• Develop use of technology platforms to interpret and map humanitarian and conflict data.
• Translate analysis and insights into program materials as directed and appropriate.
• Liaise as appropriate with country, regional and global Mercy Corps staff engaged in advocacy and influence work.

Programming and Operations

• Ensure that communication of analysis and insights to program and operations teams is appropriate and regular. Liaise with programs and operations staff as needed and directed to develop a solid understanding of program approaches, content and implementation modalities.
• Develop and maintain an awareness of Mercy Corps’ culture and values as well as humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law.
• As directed by the Country Safety and Security Manager, advise on access issues pertinent to security situations and any resulting humanitarian needs.
• Ensure effective communication within access and analysis team and ensure the accuracy, brevity and clarity of security updates, briefings and incident reports to program teams in a timely manner.
• Stay abreast of Mercy Corps program assessments and new business activities. Support these teams and special projects with analysis and insight where appropriate.

 Training and Outreach

• Assist in promoting good contextual understand across Mercy Corps staff in Nigeria
• Coach colleagues and improve their skills in risk and vulnerability assessments to include political, social and economic context analysis.
• As needed and directed, participate in Mercy Corps regional and global events, gatherings and networks to represent Nigeria’s humanitarian analysis capacity.

Security

• Ensure own compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning 

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Country Safety and Security Manager (Maiduguri).

Works Directly With: Country Director, Director of Programs, Program Management (Nigeria); Senior Director of Humanitarian Analysis (global); Regional Humanitarian Advisor and Regional Security Advisor (WCNA).

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor degree in a social sciences or investigative journalism; or equivalent work experience
• Understanding of humanitarian principles and the humanitarian system at national and international levels
• 3 years field-based experience in complex and insecure settings and preferably a conflict environment
• Experience in liaising with civilian authorities, as well as with regional, national and international institutions
• Ability to build and maintain networks of information sources across different sectors, groups and locations
• Experience with information collation and analysis, mapping and use of infographics to frame analysis
• Proven excellent writing skills, displaying an ability to convey complex information concisely
• Highly developed interpersonal communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments
• Competency in Internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and other database/mapping systems
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required; knowledge of regional languages in north-east Nigeria preferred
• Knowledge and understanding of North Africa region is mandatory; knowledge and experience in Nigeria is required.

Success factors
This is a pilot initiative – so the successful job holder will need entrepreneurial drive to develop and establish humanitarian analysis as a critical part of Mercy Corps’ Nigeria program and an essential component of its global commitment. The Context Analyst will need to balance a committed team approach, consistent with Mercy Corps’ values, and the ability to work and deliver on his/her own initiative. She/he will need sharp investigative and analytical skills and be able to quickly digest complex information and produce concise insights pertinent to the humanitarian situation.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Abuja or Maiduguri, Nigeria. If the Context Analyst is based in Abuja, he/she will be expected to travel frequently to Maiduguri and other field sites in the north-east and spend at least 35% of his/her time there. If he/she is not a Nigerian national, please note that this assignment is unaccompanied. Team members in this location are expected to follow all Mercy Corps security protocols, which may change from time to time, relevant to the prevailing risk environment. Medical services are available. Electricity is available but is predominantly through generator. Running water, Internet connectivity and communication are reliable.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.