Consultancy- Crisis Analysis Roster Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is looking at expanding its analytical capacity in Eastern and Southern Europe, with a focus on countries seeking EU Adhesion. Each country is going through its unique processes and progressing in different stages. While the scope and scale of possible challenges and opportunities will vary, parallels may emerge between aspiring countries processes. Country seeking EU accession should have:

• Stable institutions that can guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the protection of minorities.
• A functioning market economy and the ability to cope with the competitive pressure of the EU market.
• The ability to take on the obligations of EU membership, including the capacity to implement all EU law and adhere to the aims of the Union.

This call for experts is in preparation of anticipated research and analysis work on countries being part of or prospecting to be part of the EU enlargement process. Applicants will join our Regional Crisis Analysis consultants' roster and broadly, consultant activities will be determined based on the needs of each assignment focusing on the below objectives.

Consultant Objectives:

• Provide expert analysis on the status and challenges/opportunities in the EU enlargement process, specific to next group of eligible countries in Eastern Europe and the Balkans , with a focus on one of the six thematic areas that underpin EU accession (Fundamentals, Internal market, Competitiveness & inclusive growth, Green agenda & sustainable connectivity, Resources, agriculture & cohesion, and external relations), and overall, on political, security and economic challenges facing EU enlargement countries. Consult here for details on each thematic areas ,
• Lead the production of analytical and forecasting outputs, leveraging thematic expertise and networks to focus on themes such as:
• Political, security and foreign policy contexts;
• Local socio-economic dynamics;
• Policy, governance, and service provision;
• Media and information environment monitoring;
• Collaborate closely with other analysts and technical specialists to ensure integrated, context-sensitive insights feed into adaptive planning and convening efforts related to EU enlargement-oriented policy and advocacy efforts.
• Where relevant, provide external presentations, briefings, and participate in workshops/roundtables focused on challenges and opportunities in the EU enlargement processes response, policy/advocacy, and strategic planning

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will:

• Based on a pre-determined terms of reference (ToR), expand on technical specifications, data collection/management, analytical framework, and workplan.
• Collaborate with existing Crisis Analysis personnel for support and to enrich research design and analysis, in coordination with Regional CA Senior Manager, Ukraine Crisis Analysis Team Lead, Georgia Country Director and Moldova Team Lead.
• Liaise with Mercy Corps for external stakeholder engagement, to conduct key informant interviews, and to validate analytical findings.
• Leverage personal/professional network to collect granular insights and data points (qualitative or quantitative).
• Compose, either collaboratively with CA personnel or other consultants, or individually, high-quality analytical products (such as reports, white papers, policy briefs, etc).
• Present initial findings internally to Mercy Corps and funding agency as applicable.
• Ensure complementarity with already existing tools and datasets while maintaining close coordination with stakeholders leading the efforts.
• Lead on review and revision process with multiple iterations of feedback, ultimately leading to a high-quality, error-free final product.
• As relevant, present findings within external events (briefings, workshops, panels, roundtables, etc).

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will deliver:

• ToR/research design, including data collection/analysis framework and workplan
• Full, high-quality, and well-evidenced written analysis with data visualizations (where appropriate)
• Slide decks and, if requested, presentations and briefs on content

Timeframe / Schedule:

Variable based on scope of individual research products assigned. Turn-around times may at times be tight.

The Consultant will report to:

Regional Crisis Analysis Senior Manager

The Consultant will work closely with:

Regional Crisis Analysis team, Ukraine Crisis Analysis Team, Georgia Country Director and Moldova Team Lead