Climate Data Analyst

Overview

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), active in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Background

To support IRC’s growing portfolio of climate resilience programming—including anticipatory action, disaster risk finance, climate adaptive livelihoods, etc.—IRC is increasing its climate data analysis capacity to forecast climate hazards and analyze impacts as part of our well-established Global Crisis Analysis (GCA) team. Climate forecasts will inform IRC’s programming across different sectors and geographic regions. The Climate Analyst supports the integration of climate forecasts into IRC's existing suite of crisis analysis products (annual Emergency Watchlist, risk monitoring & emergency classifications). The Climate Analyst will work within the Global Crisis Analysis team within the Emergency Unit (EmU) and in collaboration with the Anticipatory Action Team, Climate Global Practice Area, Climate Operations, and Signpost team. The role involves liaising with Country Programs & Regions to interpret and action the forecasts produced by the analyst. A significant focus is to ensure regular and timely production of reports. Climate Data Analysis needs within the IRC are expanding, so responsibilities may evolve as we build greater understanding of how data analysis can support IRC climate priorities.

The GCA team maintains IRC's Emergency Classification system, a critical first step in all IRC emergency responses. Most classification requests are handled during working hours by other team members, but all team members participate in a roster system to share responsibility for weekend classification. The Climate Analyst may, very occasionally, be involved in processing and issuing a classification at weekends when crucial to ensure a timely response to a new emergency.

Major Responsibilities

• Climate Data Analysis & Forecasting
• Conduct and automate regular climate analysis, including historical and forecast data (rainfall, drought, floods, heatwaves, cyclones, water scarcity) in IRC countries.
• Review and interpret monthly forecasts from sources like Columbia IRI and CHIRPS.
• Develop systems for automated short- and long-term hazard forecasting and reporting.
• Collaborate with other teams to build data products integrating climate analysis.
• Explore and assess the use case of external climate platforms, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis (such as EarthMap, Copernicus, GLOFAS, Google Earth Engine, vegetation stress, flood mapping, land degradation).
• Collaborate with other teams to explore forecasting methodologies for hazards other than floods and droughts.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Application of Climate Insights
• Liaise with Country Programs, Regions and Technical Advisors to interpret forecasts and guide anticipatory action and other climate resilience programming.
• Host regular calls with key stakeholders (such as DDPs, REDs, Emergency Coordinators) to discuss impacts of forecasted hazards.
• Issue rapid alerts for impending climate events and support preparedness planning.
• Produce monthly global climate briefs summarising forecasts, risks, and recommended actions.

• Strategic Integration & Knowledge Building
• Contribute climate analysis to IRC’s Emergency Watchlist and other risk-tracking analysis.
• Support integration of climate risks into crisis analysis and emergency classification systems.
• Collaborate across technical units (health, education, livelihoods) to link climate hazards to sectoral impacts.
• Explore climate–conflict interaction analysis and resource stress mapping.
• Build IRC’s expertise on climate risk management through internal capacity development, such as conducting trainings and presentations on climate data analysis.
• Explore and build strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions, technology companies, and other key stakeholders.

Key Working Relationships

Position reports to: Management in partnership between the Director, Global Crisis Analysis on the GCA team, and the Anticipatory Action Sr. Specialist. Position directly supervises: N/A. Internal contacts: Economic Recovery & Development and Education Technical Unit teams, Climate Global Practice Area team, Signpost, Senior Sustainability Advisor, Airbel and IRC country office staff. External contacts: IRI, GLOFAS, other NGOs involved in Anticipatory Action.

Required Technical Qualifications

• Experience and familiarity with climate forecasting tools (e.g. IRI) and understanding of flood, drought, and other hazard forecasting methodologies (e.g., GLOFAS).
• Skills in geospatial & remote sensing, such as in GIS tools and analysis (ArcGIS, QGIS, Carto) and experience with Google Earth Engine for surface water mapping, precipitation time series analysis (CHIRPS), flood mapping using SAR imagery, and drought mapping using MODIS NDVI.
• Strong data analysis skills, with the ability to automate climate analysis and reporting processes.
• Candidates who do not meet all technical requirements are encouraged to apply, provided they demonstrate adaptability and a willingness to quickly learn new tools and methodologies.

Professional Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple stakeholders and partnerships with external organizations.
• Capacity to communicate and collaborate effectively in multicultural teams.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organizational skills: the ability to multi-task, learn quickly, and work independently and productively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to effectively collaborate with and motivate a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment.
• Dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion and a passion for IRC’s mission.
• Excellent digital literacy: MS Word, Excel. Proficiency in Excel strongly preferred.
• Excellent written English, including the ability to synthesise information and draft high-quality reports.

Working Environment

Standard office working environment. Some international travel. This role may require working remotely full or part time and part time remote employees may be required to share workspace.

Professional Standards

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.