Consultancy - Research and Analysis on Syrian Refugee Dynamics - Remote

Description

To be considered for this roster, please provide the following documents and information:

• Up-to-date C.V. with an emphasis on relevant experience and skillset to this scope of work

• Indicate thematic expertise (as listed in the Consultant Objectives section below), contextual focus, and proposed day rate

• In lieu of a cover letter, please provide a recent and relevant writing sample

Background:

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. 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.

Purpose / Project Description:

Mercy Corps has developed a Crisis Analysis function to support our programming in the most complex contexts, including Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Ukraine, and others. The Crisis Analysis supports Mercy Corps’ in-country programming as well as the wider humanitarian response in the region through the provision of quality, timely and relevant analytical products. This analysis is grounded in Mercy Corps’ position as an operational NGO, keeping our products constructive and relevant for humanitarian, early recovery, and development responders and donors within a given crisis.

Funded by the joint initiative Regional Development and Protection Program (RDPP), the ‘Strengthening Regional Policy Dialogue and Partnerships on Solutions’ project seeks to promote adaptive solutions for Syrian refugees through evidence-based policy dialogue, advocacy, and strategic alliance-building. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Mercy Corps, the project leverages Mercy Corps’ Crisis Analysis to support ongoing and emerging policy and advocacy efforts underpinned by a bespoke body of evidence and grounded in contextual realities. As a multi-donor platform managed by the Kingdom of Denmark, RDPP was first initiated in 2014 as a multi-donor response to address the humanitarian and development needs of refugees and displacement-affected communities in the countries neighbouring Syria.

Consultant Objectives:

• Provide expert analysis on the regional Syrian refugee context, specific to Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan within the broader Middle East region, with a focus on advocacy and policy efforts.

• Lead the production of analytical and forecasting outputs, leveraging thematic expertise and networks to focus on themes such as:

• (Geo)economic, market, and capital shifts;

• Local socio-economic dynamics;

• Policy, governance, and service provision;

• Reintegration, social tensions, and protection issues;

• Cohesion, coordination, and efforts related to response policy/advocacy;

• and refugee/IDP decision making and movement dynamics/trends.

• Collaborate closely with other analysts and technical specialists to ensure integrated, context-sensitive insights feed into adaptive planning and convening efforts related to refugee-oriented policy and advocacy efforts.

• Where relevant, provide external presentations, briefings, and participate in workshops/roundtables focused on refugee response, policy/advocacy, and strategic planning.

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will:

• Based on a pre-determined terms of reference (ToR), expand on technical specifications, data collection/management, analytical framework, and workplan.

• Collaborate with existing Crisis Analysis personnel for support and to enrich research design and analysis, in coordination with Regional CA Senior Manager, CA Syria Director and Lebanon Crisis Analytics Team Lead.

• Liaise with Mercy Corps and UNDP leadership for external stakeholder engagement, to conduct key informant interviews, and to validate analytical findings.

• Leverage personal/professional network to collect granular insights and data points (qualitative or quantitative).

• Compose, either collaboratively with CA personnel or other consultants, or individually, high-quality analytical products (such as reports, white papers, policy briefs, etc).

• Present initial findings internally to Mercy Corps and UNDP.

• Ensure complementarity with already existing tools and datasets while maintaining close coordination with stakeholders leading the efforts.

• Lead on review and revision process with multiple iterations of feedback, ultimately leading to a high-quality, error-free final product.

• As relevant, present findings within external events (briefings, workshops, panels, roundtables, etc).

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will:

• ToR/research design, including data collection/analysis framework and workplan

• Full, high-quality, and well-evidenced written analysis with data visualizations (where appropriate)

• Slide decks and, if requested, presentations and briefs on content

Timeframe / Schedule:

Variable based on scope of individual research products assigned.

The Consultant will report to:

Regional Crisis Analysis Senior Manager

The Consultant will work closely with:

Regional Crisis Analysis team, Crisis Analysis–Syria, Lebanon Crisis Analysis Team, Policy and Advocacy, UNDP

Required Experience & Skills:

• 5-10 years of analytical experience within a think-tank, research institution, UN, or NGO; experience analyzing the Syrian refugee crisis is an advantage.

• Masters Degree or equivalent experience in international development, migration/refugee/displacement studies, political science, international relations, sociology, economics, or a related field is an asset.

• Demonstrated track record of producing written analytical products related to humanitarian, displacement, migration, governance, service provision, and livelihoods contexts in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and/or other Syria-adjacent contexts.

• Primary and secondary research/academic experience in political science, sociology, economics, or conflict analysis.

• Strong quantitative and quantitative skills, with demonstrated experience analyzing mixed-methods data and using geospatial tools or techniques to support context- or thematic-specific analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to leverage and/or expand professional network to conduct KIIs relevant to this SoW and the analytical themes therewithin

• Demonstrated experience in designing and managing research processes, including open-source desk research, creating data collection tools, data processing skills, analyzing mixed-methods data, and report production.

• Exceptional English-language analytical writing capabilities.

• Experience in collaborating with team members with diverse backgrounds, experience, and capacities; experience managing researchers and coordinating with multiple teams/units.

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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.