Regional Thematic Specialist (Data and Analytics)

Position Title : Regional Thematic Specialist (Data and Analytics)

Duty Station : Panama City, Panama

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 27 June 2024

IOM, the UN Migration Agency in Panama City, Panama is looking for a Regional Thematic Specialist (Data and Analytics) who will be responsible and accountable for leading and managing the Regional Data Hub (RDH).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Thematic Expertise

1. Identify and analyse data needs and opportunities and propose effective and innovative solutions to address them.
2. Lead the development and dissemination of a wide range of timely, high-quality, and analytical data products (fact sheets, presentations, thematic reports, info graphics, etc.) that analyse and help communicate facts, trends, and patterns that inform policy development, support evidence-based decision-making and programming and guide strategy development and execution.
3. Design and implement data initiatives and activities including measuring migration and displacement in surveys and population censuses, improve administrative records, disaggregating Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicators, using Migration Governance Indicators (MGIs) as well as measuring the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and advancing its data-related objectives, among others.
4. Strengthen project proposals across thematic areas by providing relevant data products that underscore the challenges and highlight the opportunities to enhance their timeliness and quality.
5. Maintain a high-level of awareness regarding developments in the field of migration data and information management and ensure that data initiatives are effective, technically sound and in line with relevant standards and best practices for life cycle analysis, statistical methods, and data formats, among others.
6. Provide substantive guidance and train Country Offices (COs) in the design and implementation of data activities and strengthen their capacity on data work.
7. Enhance the quality, comparability, reliability and ethical use of migration and displacement data both internally in IOM, and externally with other UN agencies, governments, and additional key stakeholders.
8. Guide, oversee and monitor the implementation of IOM’s Data Policy and Data Protection Policy in the Region.

Coordination and Liaison

1. Coordinate effectively the RDH’s work with internal stakeholders including Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs), COs, the GDI, among others.
2. Establish and maintain relationships with external counterparts in national governments, international organizations, consultants, research institutions, think tanks, and NGOs, among others.
3. Represent IOM in relevant events.

Project Development and Donor Engagement

1. Identify needs and opportunities for data products, activities and initiatives and produce coordinated, well-written project proposals both specifically on data and analysis and as part of other proposed project and program initiatives.
2. Engage and liaise with potential donors in support of the RDH and its work.

Resources Management

1. Effectively manage projects, staff, consultants, and interns as well as the financial resources of the Region Migration Data Hub and its initiatives and activities.
2. Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Migration Studies, Social Sciences, Data Science, Information Management or a related field from an accredited academic institution with a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Significant experience in producing relevant, high-quality, impactful analytical data products.
• Significant experience in designing and managing quantitative and qualitative research projects and cycles and operationalizing statistical methods including designing and conducting population or socio-economic surveys and /or needs assessments in humanitarian, emergency and / or development contexts.
• Experience in working with administrative data records and population censuses, preferably related to migration and displacement.
• Experience in statistics, statistical analysis software, applied analytics, business intelligence, and information management.
• Experience in project development and management.
• Experience in developing and coordinating and working on capacity-building programmes, preferably related to data.
• Experience in working with a broad range of institutions producing relevant data and analysis, including national migration agencies, statistical offices, regional bodies, UN agencies, academia, civil society and the private sector, among others,
• Experience with database or programming languages (SQL, Python, R) with self-service analytics and data visualization applications (such as MS PowerBI, Qlik, Tableau or similar); or business intelligence tools (such as SAP Business Objects, etc.) is desirable.
• Experience with foresight, predictive analytics, and development of scenarios is desirable.

Skills

• Ability to understand complex contexts and fast-changing migration and displacement dynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a diverse team of specialists.
• Strong analytical skills combined with the ability to effectively summarize, present, and communicate findings.
• Knowledge of relevant international standards and classifications.
• Excellent writing and presenting skills in both English and Spanish.
• Sound knowledge of statistical methods and their application in displacement and migration contexts.
• Solid understanding of migration and displacement issues.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a cross-cultural team.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English and Spanish is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, and Russian) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.