About Mercy Corps

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.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Crisis Analysis at Mercy Corps leverages data and analysis to support context-appropriate, conflict-sensitive, and forward-thinking responses to complex crises. Crisis Analysis provides insights into the contextual backdrop to our programming as well as timely, dynamic and granular data and analysis. 

By considering the root causes and systemic drivers of fragility in a holistic manner, Crisis Analysis can support the crafting of truly transformative solutions that Mercy Corps’ foundational resilience approach calls for. The unit has carved out a niche among evidence and 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 our status as an operational INGO, which ensures that our analysis products are practicable and relevant for humanitarian and development actors.

The Position 

The Field Researcher conducts day-to-day situation monitoring in their assigned location, while also supporting verification and monitoring of partner project activities and triangulates and verifies the accuracy of incidents.

Essential Responsibilities 

Objectives:

Under supervision of the Team lead and the Field coordinator, the Field Researcher will be responsible for:

The day-to-day situation monitoring in their location and reporting on access, displacement, humanitarian needs, market prices, response efforts, relevant conflict incidents, infrastructure, historical economic drivers, social relationships, perceptions, informal dispute resolution mechanisms, local authorities, power dynamics, and laws/regulations.

Support the verification or monitoring (if possible) of partners’ projects activities at activities sites, including data collection, beneficiary verification, monitoring of delivery and distribution of commodities and submission of routine reports to the M&E focal point. 

The Field Researcher will receive training on identifying relevant information, and collecting it in a responsible, accurate and sustainable manner. Relevant information would typically include: economic activity and prices of goods; the structure of local communities; relative happiness or otherwise of people within the community; people moving out of or into the local area; etc.

The Field Researcher will receive weekly updates on the priorities for information collection. They will occasionally be asked to confirm whether an incident reported in rumors or the media was accurate.

Activities:

• Respond to requests for information
• Proactively identify relevant information
• Support triangulation and confirmation of events
• Attend all required team meetings
• Regular Field Researcher Outputs:
• Draft sections of Daily (when needed) and Weekly Reports
• Draft Situational Reports to alert when incidents take place
• Collaborate on Thematic Reports
• Gather data from several different data streams

Deliverables:

• Weekly and ad-hoc updates to the Field Coordinator
• Timely response to requests for confirmation

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Team lead 

Works Directly With: work closely with Field coordinator, Crisis Analyst, Team lead and MEL staff.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills 

• At least two years’ experience in the aid and development sector, with a level of experience in a conflict-affected environment;
• Functional knowledge of Excel, and data collection software such as comcast
• Extensive experience living/working in Sudan
• Data analysis experience is a plus
• Competency in Internet and Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Fluency in English and Arabic, both written and spoken is required.

Success Factors 

The successful candidate will be proactive, observant, and committed to collecting accurate and reliable information in a timely manner. They will possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrate sound judgment when verifying information, and adapt effectively to changing contexts. Success in this role requires integrity, attention to detail, teamwork, and a strong commitment to accountability, safeguarding, and ethical data collection practices.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position can be based kassala it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Efficiency 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 that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. 

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 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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 inclusive work 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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).