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. Now, and for the future. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long-term impact.

Mercy Corps has developed a Crisis Analysis function to support our programming in the most complex contexts, including Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Ukraine, and others. The Crisis Analysis supports Mercy Corps’ in-country programming as well as the wider humanitarian response in the region through the provision of quality, timely and relevant analytical products. This analysis is
grounded in Mercy Corps’ position as an operational NGO, keeping our products constructive and relevant for humanitarian, early recovery, and development responders and donors within a given crisis.

Purpose / Project Description:
The Lead Analyst will provide strategic analytical leadership for Mercy Corps Crisis Analysis work in Yemen. The consultant will lead the production of high-quality research and analytical outputs focused on Yemen's political economy, conflict dynamics, humanitarian context, governance, and climate-related risks.

Working closely with the Regional MENAE Crisis Analysis Team and the Yemen Country Team, the consultant will ensure analytical products directly inform Mercy Corps programming, donor engagement, business development, and strategic decisionmaking while strengthening Mercy Corps' evidence base on Yemen.

Consultant Activities:
The Consultant will:
• Lead the coordination, drafting, and quality assurance of analytical products focused on Yemen. 
• Conduct political economy, conflict, governance, market systems, and climate risk analysis. 
• Produce context updates, briefings, presentations, and strategic analytical products. 
• Ensure all outputs meet Mercy Corps Crisis Analysis quality standards and methodologies. 
• Coordinate data collection, literature reviews, key informant interviews, and secondary research. 
• Translate complex findings into practical recommendations for program design and adaptive management. 
• Collaborate closely with the Mercy Corps Yemen Country Team, Regional MENAE Crisis Analysis Team, and technical 
advisors. 
• Support proposal development, donor engagement, and business development by providing analytical inputs. 
• Present findings to Mercy Corps staff, donors, partners, and external stakeholders as required. 
• Maintain strong contextual awareness of developments affecting humanitarian access, conflict dynamics, governance, 
displacement, livelihoods, markets, and climate risks in Yemen. 
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to analysts and consultants supporting Yemen-related analysis where required. 
• Contribute to dissemination activities, learning products, and organizational evidence generation

Consultant Deliverables:
The Consultant will:
• Produce high-quality analytical reports and research products on Yemen. 
• Deliver regular context updates and strategic briefings. 
• Produce political economy, conflict, governance, and climate analysis. 
• Develop presentations and tailored analytical products for Mercy Corps leadership, donors, and partners. 
• Provide analytical inputs for proposals, strategy documents, and donor reporting. 
• Ensure all analytical outputs meet Mercy Corps quality standards and are delivered within agreed timelines.

Timeframe / Schedule: 
The consultancy will run from August 2026 to March 2027, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funding. 
Deliverables will be produced in accordance with an agreed workplan and submission schedule established with the Regional 
MENAE Crisis Analysis Senior Manager.
The Consultant will report to: 
Regional Crisis Analysis Senior Manager – Naji Abou Khalil
The Consultant will work closely with:
• Yemen Country Team 
• Regional MENAE Crisis Analysis Team 
• Regional Technical Team
• Research, Evidence and Learning Teams 
• Relevant consultants and subject matter experts

Required Experience & Skills:
• Minimum 5–10 years of experience in political economy, conflict analysis, economics, international relations, humanitarian affairs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise on Yemen's political, economic, humanitarian, and conflict context.
• Strong experience producing high-quality analytical and research products.
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative research skills.
• Excellent analytical writing and editing skills in English.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Experience engaging with donors, NGOs, UN agencies, or research institutions.
• Experience managing multiple analytical products and competing priorities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and coordination skills.
• Master's degree (preferred) in Economics, Political Science, International Relations, Conflict Studies, Development Studies, or another relevant discipline.

Team Engagement and Effectiveness
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and 
motivated to do their best work. We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child 
abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusivework environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis