Consultant - Crisis Analytics Specialist - Caracas

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.

Mercy Corps’ Crisis Analytics teams aggregate and analyze data to improve decision making and access in complex crises. The teams support our programming in Syria, Libya, Democratic Republic of Congo and other locations. The teams directly contribute to data-driven decision making by layering information from primary sources, open sources and responders’ programmatic data, where it is analyzed by subject matter experts and data scientists. This analysis is grounded in Mercy Corps’ status as an operational NGO, keeping products constructive and relevant.

Mercy Corps has achieved 40 years of experience conducting relief programming in the Americas Region, including two years building a multisectoral program in response to the crisis in Venezuela, focusing on strategic sectors based on need assessments developed by Mercy Corps and other humanitarian actors working in the country. With funding from public and private sources, Mercy Corps is working through partners in Venezuela to respond to these needs, bringing benefit to the most vulnerable population in the country. In this context, the Venezuela Analysis Team (VZAT) is producing new research and reporting through, among other things, effective monitoring of primary and secondary data sources, contributing to analysis, and developing thematic, trend and other reporting streams for Mercy Corps and the broader humanitarian response.

Purpose / Project Description:

The Humanitarian Analyst is a program funded contract with the aim of producing humanitarian analysis on the impact of the Venezuela and regional crisis. He/she will support through the analysis and assessment of four key areas: programs, strategy, advocacy, and security. As part of VZAT, he/she will monitor secondary data sources, 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. Typical products and services range from informal briefings to, contributions to risk assessments, in-depth assessment of the socio-economic issues of a defined geography, deep-dives on specific thematics, etc., ranging in themes from conflict to market systems to governance, in line with programmatic needs.

Consultant Objectives:

• To assist with scoping studies and proposal development
• To present internally and to external agencies and assist with information dissemination and broader advocacy efforts
• Engage with partner agencies and raise the profile of VZAT in Venezuela and the region.
• To identify and utilize primary and secondary data sources relevant to humanitarian analysis.
• To provide the team with relevant crisis information, context, and insights.
• To provide analysis in regards to Mercy Corps programming with a focus on socio-economic analysis and other areas of interest.
• To effectively work as a team member in all group objectives.
• Assist with team outreach and develop new sources of data.
• To produce situation, thematic and other reports produced by the VZAT.
• Lead, with support from the VZAT analyst, the preparation of information products required under current Mercy Corps Venezuela programs.

Consultant Activities:

The consultant will:

• Have a strong understanding of cross-sectoral issues impacting on regional crises and be able to analyze and report on these issues.
• Follow media outlets, social media, private networks and other secondary data to obtain detailed and reliable information regarding conflict dynamics.
• Undertake statistical analysis of databases and mapping as required.
• Assist with the periodic report schedule, detailing the scope, direction, and impact of the regional crisis dynamics.
• Engage in cross trainings with the VZAT team to broaden technical understanding and skill bases.
• Contribute and / or produce analysis and thematic papers and develop original research for use in VZAT products.
• Conduct contextual briefings to the different Mercy Corps teams and other peer INGOs
• Will be able to identify potential areas for new analysis proposals
• Ensure that team outcomes meet with donor and grant requirements
• Will expand analytical networks and engagement, including potentially building joint work programs and proposals
• Work in a committed manner with consistency, integrity and discretion
• Be prepared to expand team sources of information to reflect a broader view of the crisis situation, providing Mercy Corps with impartial and objective information.
• Undertake primary research, including interviews and development of questionnaires etc
• Identify potential partner within Venezuela to create or improve joint analytical work
• Maintain informal and formal links to peer agencies and personal networks relevant to Mercy Corps programming.

Consultant Deliverables:

The consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:

• Ensure that outcomes match with donor requirements
• Work with partner agencies to produce analytical reporting
• Make presentations internally and to external agencies to explain VZAT product and assist with product and team marketing
• Produce regular analytical products relevant to Mercy Corps programming.
• Produce thematic reports and contribute to VZAT’s analysis.
• Produce statistical analysis, infographics and maps
• Conduct effective monitoring of the Venezuela, regional crisis and its interrelated dynamics
• Liaise with the broader MC Venezuela team to ensure timely and accurate production of reports.

Timeframe / Schedule:

From August 2022 to December 2022

The Consultant will report to:

Venezuela Team Leader

**The Consultant will work closely with:

**Venezuela Analysis Team, Venezuela Response Team, Colombia Team members and broader Mercy Corps Programs

Required Experience & Skills:

• 5-10 years of experience in conflict analysis, data analysis and information management, investigative journalism, humanitarian programming, research or a related field
• Demonstrated capacity for analysis that supports decision making.
• Experience living and/or working in Venezuela.
• Demonstrated high capacity for writing in English and Spanish on technical subjects.
• Able to convey complex information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to build and maintain networks of information sources across different geographic locations, sectors and perspectives.
• Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments.
• Competency in internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Competency in social media tools including Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp.
• Fluency in Spanish and English

Diversity, Equity & InclusionAchieving 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 OpportunityWe 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 & EthicsMercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.