Lead Analyst – Syria

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to respond to humanitarian crises, Mercy Corps operates in more than 40 countries worldwide, partnering with local communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities from within. The organization has been active in Syria since 2012, adapting its strategies to meet the evolving needs of the population amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. With a team of over 60 analysts, data scientists, and subject-matter experts, Mercy Corps focuses on delivering impactful programs that address urgent humanitarian needs while promoting resilience and social cohesion.

Job Overview:
The Lead Analyst – Syria plays a crucial role within the Mercy Corps Crisis Analysis Team, which combines traditional research methods with advanced data science tools to navigate complex environments affected by climate change and conflict. This position is responsible for leading the research, analysis, and drafting of high-quality analytical products that inform strategic decision-making and design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design in Syria. The Lead Analyst will work closely with the Syria Country Leadership and the Regional MENAE Crisis Analysis team to ensure that the analysis aligns with regional standards and methodologies. The role requires strong analytical expertise and the ability to translate decision-maker needs into actionable insights, ensuring that the analytical outputs are relevant and timely for various stakeholders, including donors and peer organizations. The Lead Analyst will also oversee the management of analytical workflows and contribute to the continuous improvement of analytical processes and outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Lead Analyst will be responsible for leading the production of timely, high-quality analytical products focused on Syria, managing the production of Syria-related outputs under both country-specific and regional projects. This includes ensuring coherence, relevance, and methodological rigor across all products. The Lead Analyst will maintain a strong understanding of Syria’s political economy, conflict dynamics, and humanitarian access constraints, and will lead analytical work across priority thematic areas such as political economy, conflict analysis, climate risk, and scenario development. Additionally, the Lead Analyst will manage and supervise analysts, interns, and consultants, ensuring timely delivery of analytical resources and coordinating closely with Syria Country leadership and program teams. The role also involves representing and presenting analytical findings to internal and external stakeholders, contributing to proposal development, and supporting the professional development of team members.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess excellent written and spoken English, fluency in Arabic, and demonstrated drafting and analysis skills. Strong editing skills and experience with both quantitative and qualitative research are essential. The ideal candidate will have experience working with junior and senior analysts, excellent public speaking skills, and a strong knowledge of the contextual dynamics in Syria. A degree in Economics, Politics, Law, International Relations, conflict studies, or a related field is required. Preferred qualifications include project management skills, strong interpersonal and team management skills, and analytical experience within a think-tank, UN, or NGO context. Program management and grant management experience are also beneficial.

Educational Background:
A degree in a relevant field such as Economics, Politics, Law, International Relations, conflict studies, or a related discipline is required for this position. This educational background should provide a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of the Syrian context and the analytical skills necessary for effective crisis analysis.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience in analytical roles, particularly within humanitarian or crisis response contexts. Candidates should have a proven track record of producing high-quality analytical outputs and managing analytical workflows. Experience in project management, grant management, and working with diverse teams is highly valued. Familiarity with the Syrian context and the ability to navigate complex political and operational environments is crucial.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory, while excellent written and spoken English is also required. Additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly those relevant to the region or the humanitarian sector.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Damascus, Syria, and requires adherence to Mercy Corps security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security protocols. The role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including donors and peer organizations, and may require participation in humanitarian coordination mechanisms. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to organizational learning and development, dedicating a portion of their time to learning activities that benefit both Mercy Corps and their personal growth. The organization is committed to equal employment opportunities and safeguarding principles, ensuring a respectful and inclusive work environment.