Position Title: Regional Thematic Specialist (Data and Analysis)
Duty Station: San Jose, Costa Rica
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: 07 June 2023
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.
Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.
For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:
- Internal candidates
- External female candidates:
- Candidate from the following non-represented member states:
Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu
Second tier candidates include:
All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.
Context:
Migration and displacement in Central America, North America and the Caribbean take place in a context marked by deep historical, political, economic, and social ties between countries, as well as significant internal and intra-regional socioeconomic disparities, poverty, slow economic growth, demographic changes, political instability, insecurity, and violence in some countries. While some patterns are historical, others are new or have increased in magnitude and complexity in recent years: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant socio-economic contraction of many economies accompanied by a marked rise in xenophobia, inflation spikes, food insecurity as well as severe and frequent disasters compounded by the detrimental impacts of climate change.
In response to these complex, fast changing dynamics IOM´s Regional Office (RO) in San José, Costa Rica provides coordinated and sustained support to IOM Country Offices (COs), Member States, regional consultative processes on migration, regional bodies, UN entities, the media and other key stakeholders to advance the collection, analysis, and use of data to address the challenges and maximize the opportunities of migration on the basis of solid evidence, in line with the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the UN Secretary-General’s UN Data Strategy, and IOM’s Migration Data Strategy, among others.
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Liaison and Policy Advisor and in collaboration with the Global Data Institute (GDI), the Regional Thematic Specialist (Data and Analysis) will be responsible and accountable for leading and managing the Regional Data Hub (RDH).
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
Thematic Expertise
- Identify and analyze data needs and opportunities and propose effective and innovative solutions to address them.
- Lead the development and dissemination of a wide range of timely, high-quality and analytical data products (fact sheets, presentations, thematic reports, infographics, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Provide substantive guidance and train Country Offices (COs) in the design and implementation of data activities and strengthen their capacity on data work.
- 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.
- Guide, oversee and monitor the implementation of IOM’s Data Policy and Data Protection Policy in the Region.
Coordination and Liaison
- Coordinate effectively the RDH’s work with internal stakeholders including Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs), COs, the GDI, among others.
- Establish and maintain relationships with external counterparts in national governments, international organizations, consultants, research institutions, think tanks, and NGOs, among others.
- Represent IOM in relevant events.
Project Development and Donor Engagement
- 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.
- Engage and liaise with potential donors in support of the RDH and its work.
Resources Management
- Effectively manage projects, staff, consultants, and interns as well as the financial resources of the Region Migration Data Hub and its initiatives and activities.
- 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 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.
For this position, fluency in English and Spanish is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French is an advantage.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
Notes
Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).
Required Competencies:
Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
- Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
- Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
- Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
- Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
Core Competencies– behavioural indicators level 3
- Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
- Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
- Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
- Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Managerial Competencies– behavioural indicators level 3
- Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
- Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
- Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
- Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
- Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Other:
Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.
Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.
Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.
How to apply
To apply, interested applicants are invited to submit their applications HERE via the IOM e-Recruitment system by 07 June 2023.
IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For further information please refer to: www.iom.int/recruitment
Posting period:
From 25.05.2023 to 07.06.2023
No Fees:
IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
Requisition: VN 2023 213 Regional Thematic Specialist (Data and Analysis) (P4) San Jose, Costa Rica (58157015) Released
Posting: Posting NC58157016 (58157016) Released