Senior Data Officer, based in N’Djamena, Chad At IMPACT Initiatives

IMPACT AND REACH

REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two international NGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). The objective of REACH is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that improve the decision-making and planning capacity of the humanitarian community in emergency, reconstruction and development contexts. REACH facilitates information management for aid actors through three complementary services: (a) needs and situation assessments facilitated by REACH teams; (b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; and (c) provision of databases and (web) mapping facilities and related expertise.

IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization manages several initiatives, including the REACH initiative. The IMPACT team is composed of specialists in data collection, management and analysis and GIS. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO headquartered in Paris and present in around thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, allowing IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support in its areas of intervention.

We are currently looking for a Data Officer in Chad.

Title : Data Officer

Contract duration : 12 months

Work location : N’Djamena, Chad

Start date : January 2025

The humanitarian situation in the eastern provinces of Chad has seriously deteriorated due to the new influx of refugees and returnees from Sudan – more than 700,000 and rising (including 164,000 returnees) as of 16 March 2024. This situation increases the vulnerability of the 1.9 million members of the host communities in these three provinces, most of whom were already vulnerable before this new crisis.

To respond to this humanitarian crisis, IMPACT Initiatives will begin operations in October 2024. Initial priority activities will focus on the east of the country, with monitoring of refugee camps and sites, market analysis, and public health assessments.

FUNCTIONS

Under the direction of the IMPACT Country Representative or delegates, the Data Officer is responsible for the production of analysis products, including preparing the research design, assisting in the design of sampling methods, data analysis plans, data collection tools, data cleaning scripts and processes, analysis scripts, analysis outputs and (where applicable) the production of web maps and information management systems. The Data Officer will provide support during the dissemination and evaluation stages of the research cycle. Throughout each research cycle, the Data Officer, in close liaison (where applicable) with the evaluation teams, engages with partners to promote their participation in data processing and analysis or relevant topics designated by the line manager, in order to maximize the uptake and use of IMPACT research.

As part of his/her mission, the Data Officer will be hosted by ACTED, IMPACT’s global partner, and will be under the direct responsibility and management of the ACTED Country Director and his/her delegates for all administrative, security, logistics and financial matters. He/she will therefore fully comply with ACTED’s rules and regulations regarding security, administration and human resources, logistics and finance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Data Officer’s responsibilities are as follows:

RESEARCH PLANNING:

• Contribute to the identification and implementation of effective and appropriate data management and analysis solutions , in accordance with relevant IMPACT guidelines on the subject.
• Support sampling design, creation and management of data collection tools (ODK or KoBo), training in cleaning and management techniques, support in setting up data analysis (specifically conducted in the R environment) .
• In coordination with the evaluation managers and the relevant SIGs, support the construction of the quantitative sample ;
• Monitor progress and delays of all assigned tasks throughout the research cycle . Ensure that any delays or identified issues are reported in writing and orally in a timely manner.

DATA MANAGEMENT, CLEANING AND ANALYSIS

• Monitor data collected in the field and ensure regular updating with R;
• Check the accuracy of the collected data according to the logical checklist;
• Create, manage and deploy Kobo surveys ;
• Serve as a focal point for quantitative reporting and statistical analyses (t-tests, ordinary least squares method) .

PRODUCT WRITING

• In support of the Research Manager or CR, as requested, ensure regular communication with IMPACT headquarters on the progress and deadlines of analysis products;
• Ensure the production of accurate and timely data and analysis products (such as fact sheets, charts, web maps, dashboards) that are consistent with IMPACT guidelines;
• Ensure that all analysis results are validated by IMPACT headquarters before their external dissemination;

EXTERNAL COMMITMENT

• At the request of the line manager, assists in consulting with partners at all stages of the research cycle : preparation of the evaluation, data collection, data analysis, review of research products, dissemination of products and lessons learned;
• After validation by the hierarchical manager, present the research results to the third parties concerned in order to improve their use and impact;
• More generally, contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, in particular through the application of IMPACT’s mandate, ethics, values ​​and position in relation to other stakeholders.

TEAM MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING

• Organize regular meetings with staff members to assess progress in relevant research cycles and review the work plan;
• Be available to provide regular support and technical backstopping to all country office teams and units ;
• Where applicable, support/lead the staff assessment and recruitment process in collaboration with the CR and RM.

PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

• Ensure the strictest confidentiality of all data collected and related processes, ensuring full compliance with IMPACT’s data protection policy and standard operating procedures.

REQUIRED CONDITIONS

• Academic Excellent academic qualifications, preferably including a Master’s degree in the relevant discipline;
• Research skills Proven experience in data science. Excellent data analysis skills;
• Software skills Advanced knowledge of R, STATA, Python or equivalent statistical software. Proven knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of ArcGIS or QGis is an advantage;
• Years of professional experience At least 2 years of relevant professional experience. Experience in the humanitarian field highly desirable;
• Management Skills Team management experience and skills highly desirable;
• Communication and Report Writing Skills Excellent communication and writing skills for effective report writing;
• Ability to multi-task under tight deadlines, across multiple research cycles;
• Level of independence Proven ability to work independently;
• Intercultural work environment Ability to work in an intercultural environment requiring flexibility;
• Experience in the geographic region Previous experience in the West Africa/Sahel region is desirable;
• Language skills Proficiency in French required, proficiency in English is an asset;
• Security Environment Ability to work in a complex and challenging security environment.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• For this position, the salary is between CHF 2,300 and CHF 2,520 per month (before income tax), etc. plus a monthly living allowance of USD 300.
• NB – IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary scale based on the grade of the position and the education level of the staff. A location-dependent security and/or isolation adjustment is then applied to account for the fact that some staff members must work in difficult locations where living and working conditions are much more difficult than elsewhere.
• Accommodation and food in a guesthouse. NB – IMPACT is hosted by ACTED in this country.
• Membership in a Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approximately 9.975% of staff gross salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance
• This base is not a family duty station
• Airfare every 6 months and visa fees covered (in-country travel and business expenses are fully covered)
• R&R after 2-3 months (airfare up to $500 + $200 living allowance) if duty station allows
• Contribution to baggage transport: between 20 and 100 kg, depending on the duration of the contract (+ baggage and personal property insurance)
• Annual leave of 36 days per year. Public holidays of the country of assignment. Leave for family or compassionate reasons, if applicable.
• Pre-departure initiation – 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives headquarters in Geneva + one week of pre-departure training at ACTED headquarters in Paris, including a 4-day on-site security training;
• Enrollment in the IMPACT Initiatives Research Foundational Learning Programme within the first 3 months of contract start.
• IMPACT prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among other things, up to €1,000 per year in psychosocial counseling costs.