Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS IICA1

Target Start Date

2024-05-01

Job Posting End Date

March 11, 2024

Terms of Reference

Title: Data Analyst
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Duration: 01/05/2024 to 31/12/2024 (with possibility of extension)
Contract Type: UNOPS IICA-1/LICA-9 (P-2/NO-B equivalent)

General Background

High-quality data is central to the success of UNHCR’s efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of persons of concern, and to achieving the vision of becoming, by 2025, a trusted leader on data and information related to refugees and other affected populations. The two main data sources for UNHCR are registration systems and household surveys. In 2020, UNHCR initiated a process to integrate and standardize UNHCR’s survey landscape, while at the same time expanding it to accommodate the survey-based indicators of the new corporate Results Based Management (RBM) framework.

One key aspect of this effort to integrate and harmonize its work on household surveys is the establishment of a Global Survey team in the Statistics and Demographics Section (SDS) of the Global Data Service. Under supervision of the Senior Statistics and Data Analysis Officer – Survey Coordinator in SDS, the Data Analyst will join a technical team developing, subsequently scaling up and analysing several survey-related workstreams, including UNHCR’s new global Forced Displacement Survey (FDS) programme and the Results-Monitoring-Surveys (RMS). Other members of the Global Survey team include survey specialists, statisticians, sampling and other data analysts. The team works closely with other stakeholders such as the Division of Resilience and Solutions, the Division of Strategic Planning and Results, the Division of International Protection, the World Bank-UNHCR Joint Data Centre on Forced Displacement and UNHCR Regional Bureaux.

A key overarching aim of the Forced Displacement Survey is to move towards an integrated survey series that delivers to the vast majority of the organization’s survey data needs. It is envisaged that this survey series will be able to deliver the required data for the following purposes: inform, design and prioritize programming; construct targeting models; advocacy; advance partnerships (including with development institutions); enhance external reporting; strengthen fundraising; provide indicators for results frameworks (in particular the new RBM) and global commitments (e.g. Global Compact on Refugees, SDGs, Grand Bargain). The survey series should also be able to provide the required data for select programme monitoring. Its initial focus will be on countries hosting large numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers.

The Results-Monitoring-Surveys focus on living conditions and welfare of populations directly and indirectly assisted by UNHCR’s programmes (forcibly displaced, stateless and returnees). This work will feed into UNHCR’s Results-Based Management system (RBM), led by the Division of Strategic Planning and Results.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Data Analyst will contribute to the development, implementation, subsequent scale-up and analysis of both the Forced Displacement Survey and the Results-Monitoring-Surveys. After pilot phases in 2022 and 2023, the FDS scale-up will take place gradually while the RMS’ second round of data collection has already started. The Data Analyst will support both projects, including through mission travel if required.

The Data Analyst will be expected to support and provide technical inputs during the methodological development and lessons learned phases of both projects. The Data Analyst will play a key role together with other data analysts, survey specialists, statisticians and sampling specialists, as well as the UNHCR country and regional teams in producing analytical outputs and support the data collection for each implementing country. The Data Analyst will work closely with the Survey Specialists to outline and complete descriptive reports for the surveys conducted. In doing so, the incumbent will contribute to the development of reproducible scripts to clean, transform, analyse and produce tabular reports, and other key outputs of the data collection. The same will become part of the documentation of the survey series and available to be replicated or adapted in different countries. The assignment will require close coordination with team members, as well as the data collection partners and other stakeholders. The Data Analyst will also contribute to quality control and other analytical needs in the survey lifecycle, as needed.

Duties and responsibilities

• Contribute to the oversight and quality assurance of the data collection process from the data aspect. Ensure that these are carried out in full accordance with technical/design requirements and quality control specifications.
• Contribute to the development of the survey dashboard to monitor sample completeness, data quality and interviewer performance.
• Contribute to the review of data quality, as needed.
• Contribute to the development of data processing procedures and to coding of scripts. This procedure includes creation of processing and analysis level datasets and data tables, data cleaning, table and variable transformations and initial data documentation, such as variable and value labels.
• Contribute to the outline for survey reports, based on good practices from other survey series, together with team members.
• Generate tables and other output for reports.
• Use GIS techniques and software to support sampling or visualise results.
• Contribute to the design of a reproducible system and processes for standardised generation of tables and other output that can be applied to future surveys in the series.
• Contribute to the anonymization and documentation of the survey microdata for public use through UNHCR’s microdata library.
• Contribute towards the development of survey database management system and development of protocols to interact with UNHCR’s corporate databases and registration systems.
• Other research and analysis, as needed.
• Assist in the organization and/or delivery of FDS- or RMS-relevant workshops.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

1. Analytical dataset preparation
o Deliver finalised dataset ready for analysis for 1 FDS country
o Contribute to dataset preparation for at least 1 RMS country
o Contribute to the development of Quality Assurance protocols and scripts
o Assist with quality assurance
o Collaborate with survey specialists and curator service to document and prepare microdata for release
2. Contribute to analysis for internal and external reporting
o Visualize and report data findings creatively in a variety of formats
o Support development of various information products such as technical notes as well as brochures and briefs
o Support the communication team with the enhancement of the FDS webpage and of data-driven communication outputs to make accessible and disseminate the new evidence
3. Promote the use of data
o Contribute to delivery of high-profile analytical products, in consultation with the relevant operational teams, including field operations
4. Contribute to the overall strategic reshaping of survey landscape in UNHCR
o Input into the development of the UNHCR global strategy document on reshaping the organization’s survey landscape

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

University Degree (Bachelors, Master’s or PhD equivalent) in Statistics, Economics, Demography, Quantitative Social Sciences, or related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of Experience with Bachelors degree (or 2 years with Masters or 1 year with PhD) in data management, cleaning, processing, and applied analysis of quantitative household survey data using statistical software or computer/programming languages either in Stata, or R.
• Good command of basic statistical principles and experience in processing and transforming survey-based data.
• Experience with computer assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) software an asset.
• Experience with GIS software an asset.
• Experience with visualization software like PowerBi, Tableau an asset.

Key Competencies

• Proven ability to perform data processing, transformation and analysis tasks on survey-based data using Stata or R. Working knowledge of R an advantage.
• Proven ability in the use of statistics and statistical principles in analyzing household survey data.
• Understanding of basics of survey data quality principles and some experience in using data quality assurance measures in practice.
• Experience in data anonymization and documentation an advantage.
• Experience in database management an asset.
• Experience working in low- and lower-middle-income countries an asset.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to balance multiple tasks simultaneously and set strategic priorities.
• Ability to work both independently and in teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills is essential.
• Excellent drafting and presentation skills including skills in development of strategic communication products on statistical topics.
• Ability to work well in a demanding, dynamic environment and meet overall objectives.

Location and Conditions

The successful candidate will be based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.

This vacancy is open to applicants residing in Denmark as well as those residents in other countries. The remuneration level and the applicable entitlements and benefits may differ based on the residence of the most suitable selected candidate.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.