Job Description
IRC’s work in the Middle East is among our most challenging, and innovative.
Years of war in Syria have pushed millions from their homes and into poverty, and millions more have become refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and further afield. Equally complex is the emergency in Iraq, where waves of fighting and displacement have overwhelmed infrastructure and services and pushed communities to the brink. The conflict in Libya has exacerbated historic divisions within society and foreign powers are increasingly weaponizing local conflicts for their own gain. The economic, social, and health effects of these crises have changed the entire region.
The IRC responds to people’s acute and longer-term needs with integrated programs that improve health and safety, prioritize children’s education, foster economic wellbeing, and empower communities to regain control over their lives. Our work gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, conflict sensitivity, coordination, and impact.
The terms of reference below set out the objectives, and responsibilities of an individual sought to support the IRC MENA Region for a 6-month period in data analysis and visualization relating to Syria and the Ahlan Simsim programs.
POSITION SUMMARY
This is a six-month position to fill a temporary vacancy. Reporting to the IRC’s MENA Director of Policy, Advocacy and Communications, the Regional Humanitarian Context Analyst will provide support to IRC in the MENA Region with a strong focus on the conflict in Syria. The incumbent will provide predictive analysis by examining the impact of political, security and military developments on Syria’s displaced and conflict-affected populations and on IRC programs and operations. By delivering analytical briefings, this position will support the IRC’s programs, operations and, policy and advocacy initiatives undertaken to assist those affected by the conflict in the region.
Responsibilities:
The individual will support the MENA Region with:
• Produce regular reporting on the Syrian crisis clearly identifying the humanitarian impact of key developments.
• Support Country Program colleagues in conducting scenario planning and contingency planning. Ensure scenarios remain relevant to the context.
• Issue emergency context reports during periods of heightened tensions or when events have impacted IRC’s programs and operations.
• Liaise with the Regional Senior GIS and Information Analysis Manager to integrate qualitative and quantitative methodologies to ensure that analysis is comprehensive and data-driven.
• Deliver or organize trainings for program staff and partners on context analysis and conflict sensitivity.
• Support Country Program colleagues to conduct local-level conflict sensitivity analysis.
• Support program staff, including Grants and Access teams, in reporting to donors on conflict sensitivity.
• Assist the MENA Advocacy team to develop messaging and policy asks that are appropriate and timely given the situation in the region, and which are informed by a strong understanding of the varying agendas at play.
• As required, provide briefings on the situation in MENA to key internal stakeholders including Regional leadership and Advocacy colleagues in US/UK/Europe.
• Support global level analysis and advocacy products relating to the MENA region as necessary, particularly the upcoming Watchlist 2021 report.
• Engage regularly with the Regional Safety and Security Director and Humanitarian Access personnel to ensure sharing of information and analysis between country programs and the regional office.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: MENA Regional Director Policy, Advocacy and Communications
Position directly supervises: none
Other Internal and/or external contacts: MENA Regional Communications Manager, MENA Regional Media Manager MENA Regional Vice President, Country Directors and country program staff, and IRC US/UK/Europe Policy & Advocacy and Communications colleagues.
Job Requirements
• Degree in Government, Political Science, International Relations, Strategic Studies, or related discipline.
• At least 5 years of directly relevant professional experience.
• Previous experience in producing analytical briefings on the political complexities of the MENA Region. Experience covering the Syrian conflict preferred.
• Knowledge of the global humanitarian system.
• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, write and edit documents on tight deadline, of highest quality and in response to requests that come on short notice.
• Superior writing and presentation skills in English.
• Excellent networking, interpersonal, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of colleagues in IRC and externally to build trust that sensitive information will be handled with discretion.
• Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, delivering high-quality products in a high-pressure environment.
• Culturally sensitive - able and interested in working with a diverse team.
• Strong commitment to the IRC’s mission, purpose and values.
• Fluency in English is essential both oral and written; Arabic language ability is desirable but not a pre-requisite.
This vacancy is archived.