Head of Migration Data and Research Unit

Position Title : Head of Migration Data and Research Unit

Duty Station : Panama City, Panama

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment : Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 30 May 2021

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:

1. Internal candidates

2. External female candidates:

3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Fiji; Gabon; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Luxembourg; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Director General’s Special Envoy for the Regional Response to the Venezuela Situation and under the direct supervision of the Head of Operations, the incumbent will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Special Envoy Office (OSE) data management and research strategy, capacity and policies.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Oversee the development of the OSE’s data collection and information management capacity and policies, as well as supporting tools, standard operating procedures, and other guidance documents. Act, in coordination with the Inter-Agency Coordination Unit that represents IOM in the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform, as the custodian of IOM Venezuelan Regional Response relevant data, in line with IOM’s Data Protection Principles, Data Governance Policy, and related policies and procedures.

2. Identify research needs and opportunities, lead and coordinate the analysis of issues related to the Venezuelan migration and on the internal mobility in Venezuela, in coordination with relevant HQ´s and RO´s when appropriate.

3. Oversee IOM data initiatives such as the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) on Venezuelan outflows or on mobility trends inside Venezuela, including liaison and coordination with various implementing partners and associates and within the Response for Venezuelan (R4V) sectors and relevant working groups, proposal development, donor reporting and financial control, donor and partner liaison, and supervising staff.

4. In coordination with other OSE Units, ensure the preparation of reports, policy briefs, data bulletins, maps, infographics and other materials relevant to the IOM and the Regional Refugee and Migration Response Plan (RMRP), data disaggregation, data on migration & development.

5. In coordination with Programme Support Unit (PSU), the Regional Platform Unit and Resource Management Unit, mobilize and manage resources for the implementation of the OSE’s information management and research strategy.

6. Work with internal stakeholders to improve the Organization’s information management and business intelligence capacity and ensure IOM’s position as a global reference on human mobility data related with the Venezuelan outflows.

7. Oversee the development of IOM reporting and monitoring systems for data pertaining to IOM programs under the RMRP and, coordinate with the Interagency Coordination Unit (ICU) Head of Unit to ensure IOM’s information submitted in R4V systems (ex: Activity Info) is accurate, timely, and comprehensive, as well that R4V and IOM IMS are linked.

8. Provide support, guidance, and training to Country Offices in developing projects and programmes, defining strategies, and identifying opportunities for new projects/activities related to data collection, analysis, and research on Venezuelan outflows or inside Venezuela.

9. Participate in regional joint working groups relating to data initiatives or research within the context of the Venezuelan response. Represent IOM at national, regional and global events related to information management, research, and DTM on Venezuelan outflows and/or inside Venezuela.

10. Keep abreast of policies, international standards, global initiatives and publications, specific developments in the LAC region, and good practices related to Venezuelans’ outflows and mobility trends inside Venezuela, to improve future coordination.

11. Establish, maintain and strengthen partnerships with UN organizations, governments, international NGOs and, academic partners to develop the evidence based on RMRP and promote the use of IOM’s data and resources.

12. Supervise a multi-cultural team comprised of permanent and temporary staff.

13. Coordinate with the Global Migration Data Analysis Center (GMDAC), the DTM Global Team, and the HQ´s Research Unit on initiatives on Venezuelan outflows on or the mobility trends inside Venezuela, as needed.

14. Conduct duty travel as needed.

15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Social Science, International Relations, Statistics, Computer Engineering, Economics 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

• Experience in international migration and research matters;

• Experience in project development and project implementation with a research and data collection/management component, as well as fundraising;

• Experience in liaising with other international organizations and network/partnership building;

• Experience writing papers, briefings, articles and with own work published an advantage;

• Experience in conducting data collection, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, sampling, and research initiatives an advantage;

• Experience working with databases and large datasets, including as part of wider data science and information technology projects;

• Experience in knowledge management and/or monitoring and evaluation is an advantage;

• Experience in the development and implementation of the DTM or similar assessment and information management activities; and,

• Demonstrated experience in drafting institutional-level capacity building tools and other materials on migration and migration data, especially concerning the SDGs.

Skills

• In-depth knowledge in program planning and implementation of objectives;

• Proven background in migration data issues, particularly in the areas of capacity building, the

SDGs, and migration & development;

• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills with the ability to research a wide range of topics using multiple sources;

• Good level of computer literacy.

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 Portuguese and/or 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

1

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 three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• 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.

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 action 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 potential.

• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

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 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 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.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.