Flow Monitoring Consultant, Home-based At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Flow Monitoring Consultant
Statistics and Demographics Section of the Global Data Service,
UNHCR Copenhagen

• Title: Flow Monitoring Consultant
• Vacancy No: CPH/VN/2021/033
• Duty Station: Home-Based
• Contract Type: Individual Consultancy
• Duration: 01/11/2021 until 15/02/2022
• Deadline of Applications: 11/10/2021 CEST midnight

Operational Context

The UNHCR Data Transformation Strategy 2020-2025 envisions that by 2025 UNHCR becomes a trusted leader on data and information related to refugees and other persons of concern, thereby enabling actions to protect and to empower persons of concern. The Strategy stipulates investing in four complementary priority areas: data management and governance; information systems; capacities and skill development; and culture for evidence-informed decision-making. The strategy envisages data and information management functions in UNHCR carried out in a complementary and inter-linked manner between Headquarters Divisions and Services, Regional Bureaux, Country Operations and key external partners, including persons of concern.

One core area of population statistics is monitoring population flows, in mixed migration and internal displacement situations. Reliable and timely population flow data for the displaced is crucial for UNHCR and its partners to inform their work and better protect, assist and provide solutions for UNHCR’s population of concern. In some contexts, establishing accurate flow figures for displaced populations is extremely challenging due to practical difficulties associated with data collection and/or methodological inconsistencies. These challenges hinder the capacity of countries to reliably track and deliver appropriate protection interventions to the new arrivals with international protection needs.

There are a range of methodologies and mechanisms that have been developed to record displaced populations flows. For instance, the protection monitoring tools used in Southern Europe and the Central Americas which mainly focus on specific caseloads. There is currently a lack of consistency between processes and methodologies. In order to develop a better and harmonized methodology, a review of the existing methodologies is required. These will be drawn on and improved into robust systems that can be adapted and applied in new and evolving situations.

The overall objective is to establish a robust methodology and tools for the collection and analysis of displaced population flow data thereby improving the production and availability of reliable and timely populations flow estimates. This enables UNHCR to efficiently and systematically capture, use and share high quality data on the flow of displaced populations, in line with Priority Action B of UNHCR’s Data Transformation Strategy.

Overall Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The consultant will lead the review of existing practices and the development of the standardized methodological approach for monitoring the flow of displaced populations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Statistics and Data Analysis Officer, the consultant will conduct an in-depth assessment of existing methodologies and tools for monitoring the flow of displaced populations. The activities to be undertaken will include a desktop review, interviews with relevant UNHCR colleagues and key stakeholders from partner organisations to assess existing methodologies and tools, identifying gaps and documenting good practices. Development of recommendations for an updated and improved methodology that can be applied to effectively monitor the flow of displaced populations, including specific guidelines for adaptation in different contexts shall also be included.

Deliverables:

• A report documenting existing data sources, common methodologies and good practices for capturing displacement population flow data, including challenges, gaps and impacts, as relevant to different contexts and regions. This report shall include recommendations to UNHCR for an improved methodology that can be applied to effectively monitor the flow of displaced populations.

Desired impacts:

• UNHCR’s methodology and tools for systematic data collection and monitoring of displaced population flows are strengthened.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The final product:

• A research document providing an in-depth assessment of existing data sources, common methodologies and good practices for monitoring displacement population flow data, including challenges, gaps and impacts, as relevant to different contexts. Recommendations for an updated and improved methodology that can be applied to effectively monitor the flow of displaced populations should be provided.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

University degree in demography, geography, statistics, economics, data science, quantitative social sciences, epidemiology or a related field.

Required Experience

With a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, the candidate should demonstrate the following abilities:

• Developing new or improved statistical methods and quantitative models for analyses and projections on forced displacement.
• Drafting concept papers, preparing background analyses, and briefings to build support for the use of data on forced displacements.
• Delivering high-profile analytical products, in consultation with the relevant HQ, regional and operational teams.
• Supporting operational leads in making methodological decisions on forced displacement data.
• Working with and producing tools that are used for migration flow data collection.
• Knowledge of another UN language

Location and Conditions

The successful candidate will be home-based.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

A written test might be included in selection process.