The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
The IRCs EPRU
The IRCs Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (EPRU) oversees IRCs global emergency preparedness and response activities. The mission of the EPRU is to help meet the immediate survival needs and reduce suffering in conflict or disaster affected populations during the acute phase of an emergency. The EPRU also works in protracted emergencies, where the risk to life may be reduced but the population is still subjected to rights abuses and a lack of basic services. The EPRU is also charged with enhancing the IRCs global and country level emergency preparedness capacity, including maintaining a Watch List of high-risk countries.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The Humanitarian Risk Analyst contributes to IRC’s preparation for emergency response by monitoring and reporting on countries which IRC management has deemed at high risk for a crisis. The Analyst monitors, analyzes and disseminates information about the political, security, economic, and social situations in countries on IRC’s Watch List. The Analyst also generates quick written or verbal briefings for any other crises that emerge, as well as keeps up to date information on all the responses the EPRU is currently responding to. In addition to rapid analysis, the Analyst will also produce more in-depth products throughout the year that examine a particular crisis or relevant global trend in detail. The analyst will also own and maintain the IRC Emergency Classification System which is used to communicate to key internal stakeholders the severity of an emergency and how IRC will respond.
The EPRU Humanitarian Risk Analyst will report to the EPRU Deputy Director of Emergency Systems and work closely with other members of the Senior Management Team, especially the Deputy Director for Response.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Classification System (30%)
- Classify all emergencies that are submitted through the system within 30 minutes for acute crises and within 24 hours for non-acute crises.
- Regularly monitor for global emergencies and classifying as needed.
- Twice a year produce an analysis report of classification meta-data looking at times to classify, times to make a decision, and frequency of decision aligning with recommendations.
- On a yearly basis, update all foundational data and indices (2-3 weeks)
- Manage the classification application ensuring that all classifications are up-to-date (reclassified according to protocol) and that decisions taken and stances are correct and timely.
- Work with IT and EPRU senior management on the classification app 2.0
- Once classified, work together with the EPRU SMT to develop response recommendations providing advice on prioritization in light of other concurrent emergencies.
Watch List Countries (20%)
- Monitor and collect information related to political, security, social, economic and natural hazards in Watch List countries.
- In addition to publically available information (traditional media, social media, government and UN data, etc.) maintain and cultivate network of internal and external contacts to further inform understanding of emergent situations in Watch List countries.
- Identify trends, flag changes, and highlight upcoming events that could result in significant humanitarian need.
- Produce bi-weekly written updates on developments in Watch List countries.
- Produce IRC’s annual Watch List report detailing the highest humanitarian risk countries for the year to come.
Rapid Analysis and Research (30%)
- Serving multiple clients within the organization, including the President’s office, Sr. Leaders Group, Board, advocacy team, communications team, and the Emergency Response Team (ERT) itself, support requests for rapid written or verbal briefings on current crises where the ERT is currently responding.
- In addition to crisis specific analysis, support requests for research and analysis on regional or global trends and themes, in particular on issues related to humanitarian assistance.
- Contribute to EPRU’s detailed preparedness and contingency plans for rapid entry into new countries, or the rapid expansion of emergency programming within existing IRC country programs.
- Maintain “facts and figures” as well as concise “crisis primers” on all the crises where the ERT is responding such that up-to-date information is always available.
In Depth Analyses (15%)
- On a bi-monthly basis, produce an in-depth analysis piece on specific crises relevant either to the crises the ERT is currently responding to, or to one of the Watch List countries.
- Provide in person briefings on these analyses for relevant HQ staff as well as present on the bi-weekly EPRU global call.
Additional Tasks: (5%)
- Participate in EPRU workshops, annual and strategic planning exercises and relevant trainings.
- As requested by the Director EPRU participate in external workshops/symposiums related to high priority countries
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- At least 4 years of directly relevant experience in a similar position (political or conflict analysis, advocacy)
- Graduate degree in Government, Political Science, International Relations, Strategic Studies, Violence and Conflict Studies or related discipline
- Knowledge of global humanitarian system and/or a specific region experiencing multiple and frequent humanitarian crises.
- Excellent networking, interpersonal, communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills and an ability to cultivate and maintain a personal network of sources and contacts working in similar or related fields.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of colleagues in IRC and externally to build trust that sensitive information will be handled with discretion.
- Superb English-language oral and written reporting skills.
- Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, write and edit documents on deadline, of highest quality and in response to requests that come on short notice.
- Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, delivering high-quality products in a high-pressure environment.
- Ability to persuade and influence colleagues not under supervisory authority.
- Some knowledge of statistical systems and methodologies is desirable.
- French and Arabic skills an additional advantage.
- Strong commitment to the IRC’s mission, purpose and values.
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