Associate Statistics Coordination Officer (Communications)

Title: Associate Statistics Coordination Officer (Communications)
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Duration: 15/04/2024 to 31/12/2024 (with possibility of extension)
Contract Type: UNOPS IICA-1/LICA-9 (P-2/NO-B equivalent)

General Background

UNHCR’s mandate to protect and find solutions for refugees and other forcibly displaced persons increasingly relies on the availability of timely and reliable data and analysis. The Agency’s Global Data Service (GDS) based in Copenhagen, is the focal point in UNHCR for the implementation of its Data Transformation Strategy that was established to facilitate this process over the next few years. Within this, the Statistics and Demographics Section (SDS), coordinates the collection, analysis and dissemination of UNHCR’s statistics, and provides technical statistical support to regional bureau and country offices. It aims to support the development of improved and more efficient systems for statistics on refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR, such as stateless people and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Increasingly, UNHCR’s data efforts are grounded in collaboration and joint engagements with partners to better achieve outcomes for those affected by forced displacement. In contexts of protracted displacement, working closely with governments and national statistical offices to enhance national ownership of data produced and better integrate refugees and IDPs into national statistical systems is a core priority. As part of this effort, UNHCR has taken a leading role in the Expert Group on Refugee, IDP and Statelessness Statistics (EGRISS), both as a Steering Committee member and through hosting its secretariat. The EGRISS consists of 57 countries and 37 international / regional organisations. Other Steering Committee members include the World Bank, Eurostat, Statistics Norway, Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS) and United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), United National Development Programme (UNDP), Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), World Bank-UNHCR Joint Data Center (JDC), Philippines, Colombia, Kurdistan Republic of Iraq and African Union Commission (AUC).

The EGRISS was established in 2016 by the UN Statistics Commission to develop recommendations on refugee and IDP statistics and produce guidance for their implementation at country level. The International Recommendations on Refugee and IDP Statistics (IRRS and IRIS) were endorsed in 2018 and 2020, respectively, and implementation work supported by the EGRISS is ongoing through advocacy, capacity building, and further methodological development and testing. In addition, the EGRISS is also developed International Recommendations on Statelessness
Statistics (IROSS) that were endorsed by the UN Statistics Commission in March 2023.

Advocacy and communications activities are central to the success of EGRISS and the role of the Secretariat. Effective dissemination of relevant information, guidance and tools to ensure they reach and are accessible to their target audience, creating spaces for national and international partners to share experiences and lessons learnt, documenting and facilitating the promotion of good practice through publications and events, making sure EGRISS content is appealing and accessible – are all critical tools to help EGRISS successfully complete its mandate. The Associate Statistics Coordination Officer (Communications) will join the EGRISS Secretariat and support key activities, with a particular focus on coordination and communications activities. The foreseen profile of the ideal candidate will therefore demonstrate a keen interest/experience working on EGRISS-related issues as well as proven skills and capacities to deliver communications/advocacy-related deliverables as outlined below.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Associate Statistics Coordination Officer (Communications) will support the work of the Expert Group on Refugee, IDP and Statelessness Statistics (EGRISS). She/he will report to the Senior Statistics & Data Analysis Officer (Head of EGRISS Secretariat) and will work in close collaboration with other EGRISS Secretariat colleagues as well as members of the EGRISS Steering Committee and wider membership.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Associate Statistics Coordination Officer (Communications) will support the implementation of EGRISS third mandate in the following ways:

A – Communications & Advocacy:

– Events: Supporting the coordination of EGRISS organised and co-organised events which can include conferences, side events and webinars. Responsibilities include event design/preparation such as identifying speakers and supporting their preparations, administrative/logistical arrangements or developing and disseminating invitations etc.; event delivery such as agenda development, coordination of speakers, support to moderators etc.; and post-event follow up such as report development and dissemination as needed.

– Website: Managing EGRISS website (www.egrisstats.org) including content development and coordination, maintenance and updating of content using WordPress, improving search engine optimization, and liaising with UNHCR’s Digital Service for website development work as needed.

– Newsletter/Updates: Development and publication of EGRISS quarterly newsletter including content development and coordination, managing review processes, maintaining the mailing list and liaising with UNHCR Klaviyo support team as needed. including for regular updates to members.

– Publications: Development and management of other EGRISS publications including EGRISS Annual Report, flyers and methodological papers, liaising with external graphic designers, videographers, translation and printing service providers when needed and/or conducting layout/design directly for simpler publications.

– Social media: Managing EGRISS social media accounts (currently twitter and youtube) to ensure regular and relevant content is shared and traction/reach is improved, including development of social media cards when relevant.

– General: Develop and maintain key communications support tools such as EGRISS’ dissemination list ensuring it is kept up to date, EGRISS’ events and communications calendar, EGRISS’ monitoring & evaluation database with a focus on communications and advocacy activities ensuring it is kept up to date to facilitate required reporting. Identifying opportunities and designing specific communications campaigns for specific products (e.g. new publications) will also sometimes be required.

– Network: Establishing EGRISS communications network with relevant partners (e.g. Steering Committee members, UN Statistics Division and regional commissions) to enhance EGRISS communications outputs.

B – Coordination & reporting support, including:

– Governance: Organisation of Steering Committee meetings (including Annual High Level Steering Committee meeting), including preparing agendas, background material and presentations, drafting meeting minutes and logistical arrangements as relevant.

– Membership list: Maintaining EGRISS membership list ensuring it is kept up to date and can be used as an effective tool for different purposes.

– Reporting: Drafting and/or editing of EGRISS narrative reports to donors, UN Statistics Commission or other stakeholders, including coordination of input from team members as necessary and ensuring alignment with reporting guidelines/requirements.

C – Thematic/technical support, including:

– Country experience: Documenting experiences and lessons learnt from countries and institutions working to implement the international statistical recommendations produced by EGRISS, including the development of case studies to be shared through the EGRISS website. If funding allows, case studies could be enhanced through video content.

– Research: Contribute to or lead specific research or analysis efforts associated with Technical Subgroup or Secretariat activities. Specific focus would depend on background/interest of the Assistant as well as needs to the identified activity/ies.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

– EGRISS events successfully delivered (regular)
– EGRISS all members meeting succesfully organised (end 2024)
– EGRISS website updated and maintained with increased/improved usage (ongoing)
– EGRISS quarterly newsletter published with increasing reach (quarterly) and members updates developed and disseminated (monthly)
– EGRISS publications professionaly developed and effectively disseminated (regular)
– EGRISS social media channels effectively utilised e.g. through improved reach (ongoing)
– EGRISS Steering Committee meetings successfully organized and minutes produced in timely fashion (every 6 weeks)
– EGRISS monitoring & evaluation database maintained and up to date (ongoing)

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

University Degree in Communications, Statistics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations or any other related field.

Work Experience:

3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree.

Relevant areas of work experience:

– Organisation of professional conferences, events or workshops (including in-person events and online)
– Writing / editing publications in English, including reports, newsletters, blogs etc.
– Using website content management systems (e.g. WordPress), social media platforms and newsletter management tools (e.g. Klaviyo)
– Working with multi-stakeholder, multi-cultural projects with significant coordination needs
– Demonstrated interest or experience in relevant fields such as migration, forced displacement, statelessness, development data, national data systems

Areas of work experience that would be an asset:

– Working with National Statistical Offices or in the area of statistical production, quantitative data
collection, analysis, data visualisation or dissemination processes
– Working within the UN system or with other international organizations (HQ or country level).
– Experience working on migration, forced displacement, statelessness, humanitarian/development issues
– Proficient use of more than one UN language (e.g. French, Spanish, Arabic)
– Working with graphic design software

Key Competencies:
• Knowledge about forced displacement, statelessness, migration or related topics;
• Understanding of official statistics, including different data sources (surveys, administrative data and census);
• Experience with developing written material for different audiences and platforms (reports, notes from meetings and advocacy material);
• Knowledge of MS Office, Adobe suit, WordPress and other relevant softwares;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work within established deadlines;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal abilities with fluency in English and knowledge of another UN language

Location and Conditions

The successful candidate will be based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

This vacancy is open to applicants residing in Denmark as well as those residents in other countries. The remuneration level and the applicable entitlements and benefits may differ based on the residence of the most suitable selected candidate.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.