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 research paper was 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 the effects of drought conditions or adapted to cope with lower rainfall levels. The Environmental Hazard Researcher (Flood Expert) will lead the research and author the next MEACAM research paper centered on flooding (fluvial, flash, coastal, etc.) in Iraq and Yemen. Like the MEACAM drought paper, the Environmental Hazard Researcher will conduct research on the historical and geographic dynamics of flooding in Iraq and Yemen and collect and analyze primary data from local communities on the positive and negative coping mechanisms employed in response to flooding. The consultant is expected to draft two concise papers (8-10 pages), one covering Iraq and one covering Yemen.

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.
• Experience collecting primary data from field, including the creation of questionnaires.
• Experience working in the aid sector (humanitarian or development).

Consultant Activities:

• Conduct independent research on environmental topic in Iraq and Yemen, including historical and geographical trends, exposure, and human impact.
• Collect and analyze primary data from key informants in Iraq and Yemen.
• Assistance from Mercy Corps country teams is available, but authors with key informants sourced from their networks are preferred.
• Produce two complete concise (8-10 page) reports on flooding in Iraq and Yemen.
• Create or obtain graphics and photographs to support the narrative.
• Provide draft reports by 31 December 2024.

Consultant Objective:

The Environmental Hazard Researcher (Flood Expert) will be expected to work 20 days between 15 November 2024 and 15 January 2024. This role will be managed by the Regional Quantitative Analysis 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.