Description

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. Over the past eight years, Mercy Corps has established a reputation for quality and timely data and analysis through its network of Crisis Analysis teams. Through Crisis Analysis, the agency has carved out a niche among information providers in the humanitarian and development space, owing to the granularity, reactivity and holistic approach of our products, which focus on some of the most hard-to-reach, data-poor and complex contexts requiring assistance. This is underpinned by Mercy Corps’ status as an operational INGO, which ensures that analysis products are practicable and relevant for humanitarian actors. 

Purpose / Project Description:

Mercy Corps Regional Crisis analysis is developing an early warning platform called the Middle East Anticipatory Climate Action Model (MEACAM), which features flash flooding and drought predictions for Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. The online platform will provide precise flash flooding and drought predictions along with the population and settlements (including IDP camps) exposed to the forecasted hazards. The platform will be publicly available and is intended to serve as the basis of a multi-hazard early warning platform in service to the public, aid actors, and local governments. 

Research on natural hazards and their impact on populations is another essential component of the MEACAM project. The first two research papers are centered on drought, including historical and geographic trends in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, as well as primary data on how communities were negatively impacted by or adapted to cope with the effect of the hazards. The Early Warning/Disaster Preparedness & Disaster Risk Reduction Researcher will lead the research and author the next MEACAM research papers, which will be centered on how Early Warning Systems (EWSs) can be used as a basis to improve Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. The Early Warning/Disaster Preparedness & Disaster Risk Reduction & Disaster Risk Management Researcher is expected to draft two concise papers (10-15 pages each) covering 1.) Distinct and overlapping challenges and opportunities presented by integrating EWS with Disaster Preparedness and DRR efforts in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, and 2.) The role of risk perception and behavior in the three contexts, specifically in relation to communicating early warnings

Consultant Activities:

Draft independent research papers (10-15 pages) on the following topics: 

•  Paper 1: Conduct independent research on the distinct challenges to and opportunities for integrating MEACAM with Disaster Preparedness and DRR efforts in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, highlighting the role of each country’s distinct aid funding situation, geography, culture, and governance structures. The paper will also propose practical disaster risk preparedness and DRR measures that communities can take to reduce the impact of hazards in contexts where aid budgets are decreasing to create larger potential gaps in assistance. Provide draft report by 1 March 2025. 

•  Paper 2: Conduct independent research on disaster risk perceptions in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, focusing on how communities perceive the risks presented by drought and flooding and identifying what potential future action and communication approaches can be used to mainstream early warnings delivered by MEACAM. Provide draft report by 1 April 2025. 

Collect and analyze primary data from key informants in the aid sector and government institutions. 

•  Assistance from Mercy Corps is available at varying capacities, but authors with key informants sourced from their networks are valued. 

Create or obtain graphics and/or photographs to support the narrative.

Consultant Deliverables:

•  The Early Warning/Disaster Preparedness & Disaster Risk Reduction & Disaster Risk Management Researcher will be expected to work 20 days between 15 January 2025 and 30 April 2025. This role will be managed by the Regional Quantitative Analysis Specialist. 

Required Experience & Skills:

•  Five or more years of experience conducting independent research using primary data collected in the field as well as secondary sources. 

•  Proficiency in Microsoft Office. 

•  Proven track record of independent, institutional, or academic publication in English on Early Warning Systems, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Risk Management, or similar topics. 

•  Experience collecting primary data from field, specifically writing and/or conducting key informant questionnaires. 

•  Experience working in the aid sector (humanitarian or development). 

•  Familiarity with the relevant contexts, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

The Consultant will report to:

Regional Data Specialist 

The Consultant will work closely with:

Michael Chohaney - Regional Data Specialist

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving 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 Opportunity
We 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 & Ethics
Mercy 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.