Analyst

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to address humanitarian crises and development challenges, 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, more resilient communities. The organization is committed to creating measurable and sustainable impacts through coordinated interventions, particularly in complex environments affected by conflict and climate change. With a diverse team of employees dedicated to humanitarian efforts, Mercy Corps emphasizes the importance of local contexts in its analysis and programmatic strategies, ensuring that its initiatives are relevant and effective in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
The position of Analyst within the Crisis Analysis Team at Mercy Corps involves a multifaceted approach to understanding the economic impacts of conflict, specifically focusing on the secondary economic effects of the Iran war. The analyst will leverage both traditional research methods and advanced data science tools to navigate complex, high-risk environments. The role requires the analyst to design an economic transmission pathway framework, build and run commodity price transmission models, and conduct structured interviews to gather qualitative insights. The findings will be synthesized into clear, actionable recommendations for humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding practitioners. The analyst will also be responsible for producing written outputs, including country snapshots and a comprehensive funding architecture analysis, ensuring that the information is accessible to a non-technical audience, including donors and policymakers.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Analyst will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Designing the economic transmission pathway framework to map how shocks from the US-Iran conflict affect various channels such as oil supply, food prices, remittances, and financial systems.
• Developing a scenario architecture that outlines three distinct political-economic states with different implications for humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding (HDP) outcomes.
• Producing an inception note that details the report outline, analytical approach, scenario definitions, and engagement plans.
• Designing and running commodity price transmission models to trace the impact of oil price shocks on food prices across different scenarios.
• Producing forecasts and estimates related to cash transfer values under each scenario.
• Documenting methodologies and data sources for integration into the final report.
• Creating analytical snapshots for various case geographies, conducting interviews with key informants, and synthesizing qualitative data into quantitative outputs.
• Drafting recommendations for HDP actors based on the analysis and producing a concise executive summary for senior leadership and donors.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in economics, political economy, international development, or a related field, or have equivalent professional experience with a strong quantitative focus. They should have demonstrable experience in price transmission modelling and econometric analysis, particularly in fragile or conflict-affected contexts. A proven track record of producing applied political economy analysis and the ability to translate complex findings into actionable recommendations for non-technical audiences is essential. Familiarity with relevant datasets and platforms, such as FEWS NET and the World Bank, is also required. Candidates should have experience conducting structured interviews and synthesizing qualitative inputs into quantitative analyses.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree in a relevant field such as economics, political economy, or international development. Candidates with equivalent professional experience that includes a strong quantitative component may also be considered. The educational background should reflect a solid understanding of economic principles and methodologies applicable to real-world scenarios, particularly in conflict or fragile state contexts.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in applied political economy analysis, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as the Middle East, South Asia, or East Africa. They should be adept at using quantitative methods to analyze economic data and produce insights that inform humanitarian and development programming. Experience in producing high-quality written analysis under tight deadlines is crucial, as is the ability to conduct structured interviews and synthesize qualitative data into coherent analytical products.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication and reporting. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the regions of focus, such as Arabic or Farsi, would be advantageous but not required.

Additional Notes:
This is a fully remote position, allowing for flexibility in work hours and location. The role does not involve supervisory responsibilities, and the analyst will report directly to the Director of Global Crisis Analysis. The position emphasizes collaboration with various internal teams, including data visualization and GIS specialists. Mercy Corps is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. The organization also supports ongoing learning and development, allowing team members to dedicate time to personal and professional growth.