Data Scientist (Data for Action) At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Data Scientist (Data for Action)

Duty Station: Berlin, Germany

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 24 January 2024

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. Candidates 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; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu

Second-tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

In a complex and uncertain world, the useful application of data for evidence-based policy and action is needed now more than ever. Whether it be helping displaced people find durable solutions in the face of climate change, to analysis that allows better forecasting of migration trends and preparedness—managing human mobility to contribute to sustainable development requires a data-driven approach.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has an abundance of information about human mobility: With offices in almost every country, IOM is trusted by its Member States for deep domain knowledge and field expertise. IOM has strategic partnerships with other United Nations (UN) agencies and stakeholders in the UN Migration Network. It works directly with a wide range of beneficiaries and enjoys a place at the forefront of data protection efforts within the UN system.

IOM established the Global Data Institute (GDI) to harness the power of its data for operations, making meaning of global migration patterns, and providing foresight. The Global Data Institute capitalizes on synergies between its two units–the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and the Global Migration Data Analysis Center (GMDAC)–and collaborates with a network of regional data specialists to illuminate the global data story of human mobility.

Under the direct supervision of the GDI Director, the Data Scientist (Data for Action) will Contribute to the development and delivery of data science solutions to help enable the planning, decision making, and implementation of organization programmes. Through close relationships with internal and external stakeholders, participate in the development of products that provide situational awareness, insight, and predictive assessment to facilitate programme management and execution. Contributes to identifying significant issues and opportunities to implement innovative approaches and evidence-based reasoning to complex organizational issues.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Technical

• Assist in the exploration, identification, and acquisition of data sources to help determine their suitability for use in decision making and advancing the goals of the organization. Enables broader use of data sources by applying quality methods to structure, clean, format, parse, and standardize for analytical use.
• Closely collaborate with colleagues to identify data analytics needs and support data-driven projects, including as appropriate with other regions and with the IOM Global Data Institute.
• Contributes to the design and development of data science products for foresight and provides an understanding or knowledge of the data that would otherwise not be detected without the application of advanced analytical methods such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, data and text mining, natural language processing, statistics, and use of relevant algorithms and computational approaches.
• Contribute to the design and development of customized visualization and presentation products that reveal the findings of analysis for internal and external stakeholders, suitable for all forms of production to include briefings, reports, documentation to oversight bodies, interactive interfaces, and publication quality outputs.

Support execution of projects

• Provide technical support to the team in the translation of organizational needs into analytics and reporting requirements to help support decisions, strategies and workflows with data and information, particularly for solutions to internal displacement.
• Support identification, analysis, and interpretation of trends or patterns, using machine learning techniques, statistical methods to identify relevant features and variables in structured and unstructured sources of information and data, particularly for solutions to internal displacement.
• Contribute to mobilization of resources to help respond to regional office and country office data needs.

Support collaboration on data analysis across organization

• Encourage the use of data science solutions through internal stakeholder training and the provision of technical inputs for the development of products, tools, and processes to augment data fluency across the organization.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

Collaborate with data engineers, scientists, and other data-focused specialists in the department and across the organization; Establish and maintain relationships with counterparts at headquarters and regional offices. Counterparts in specialized agencies and national governments.

Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in data science, data analytics, applied mathematics, information management or related area.

The following experience is required:

• Data Analysis: A minimum of two years of practical experience in data analysis, including data cleaning, preprocessing, and exploratory data analysis (EDA).
• Machine Learning: Demonstrable experience in applying machine learning techniques to real-world problems. This should include supervised and unsupervised learning, model evaluation, and tuning.

The following experience is desirable:

• Natural Language Processing: Experience with text analysis and natural language processing (NLP) techniques.
• Time Series Analysis: Experience in time series data analysis and forecasting.

Skills

• Data Visualization: Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Python libraries like Matplotlib, Seaborn, or data visualization platforms like Tableau).
• Statistical Analysis: Competence in statistical analysis, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis.
• Programming: Strong programming skills in languages commonly used in data science, such as Python or R. Additionally, an understanding of coding good practices, version control, and code documentation is desirable.
• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to tackle complex analytical problems and provide data-driven solutions.
• Familiarity with data science tools such as Jupyter, Matlab, Knime, and big data tools and frameworks like Hadoop and Spark.
• Advanced Machine Learning: Exposure to more advanced machine learning techniques, such as deep learning or reinforcement learning.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) 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 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 2

• 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 2

• 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.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification 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.