MMC Quantitative Research Specialist At Danish Refugee Council

MMC is a leading source for independent and high-quality data, information, research and analysis on mixed migration. Through the provision of credible evidence and expertise on mixed migration, MMC aims to support agencies, policy makers and practitioners to make well-informed decisions, to positively impact global and regional migration policies, to contribute to protection and assistance responses for people on the move and to stimulate forward thinking in the sector responding to mixed migration. MMC’s overarching focus is on human rights, protection and assistance.

MMC is part of and governed by Danish Refugee Council. While its institutional link to DRC ensures MMC’s work is grounded in operational reality, it acts as an independent source of data, research, analysis and policy development on mixed migration for policy makers, practitioners

Overall purpose of the role

The overall purpose of the role is to serve as the regional lead for the Mixed Migration Centre MMC Eastern and Southern Africa | Yemen and Egypt (MMC ESA) team on the management and analysis of quantitative data collected by 4Mi enumerators in countries of operations.

Under the supervision of the 4Mi Project Manager and in close collaboration with the Information Management Team in the region and globally, and the rest of the MMC ESA team, the successful candidate will be responsible data management and analysis according to the SOPs. He/She will lead quantitative data management and visualization, develop survey tools and methodologies, and draft research products based on quantitative data along with the Information Management Officer. He/She will be responsible to review and validate all quantitative research outputs. Contributing to better use of data, the post holder will also provide support on data collection and management trainings, support with monitor network supervision, support the team with administrative tasks, among other responsibilities. He/she will support the team in developing research designs and field planning for all new and existing projects and lead/support scoping missions across the regions. He/she will have technical line supervision responsibilities for Information Management Officer and eventually assistant positions.

The post holder plays a key role within the team in ensuring high quality standards for the data collected on a daily basis by the 4Mi. He/she will be a go-to person across the region and within the MMC global network for survey, data collection and data management questions.

Responsibilities:

Information management and data processing

• Lead on the management of 4Mi data: working with the IMO, ensure maintenance of the data collection platform, and that data is safely stored and shared, well organized and retrievable, that data protection guidelines are met, and that quality is assured;
• Ensure collected data is migrated into datasets in appropriate formats (such as .dta or .csv or .nvp);
• Ensure the regular availability of clean datasets for the region and for global use: export data in appropriate formats, and ensure that data is regularly validated and cleaned with the IMO;
• Identify and implement changes to surveys at regional level and make suggestions to update surveys at global level as needed according to trends identified in data cleaning and validation;
• Lead IM and data processing in compliance with internal procedures;
• As regional focal point for 4Mi information management, work with the regional 4Mi Project Manager as well as colleagues across the 4Mi network to develop information management tools, and to improve information management and data processing standards for 4Mi (such as data management SOPs)

Survey design

• Revise the coding of the survey as required, and in line with MMC standards, coordinating with the 4Mi Global Coordinator as relevant;
• Develop new surveys and/or modules according to the MMC ESA research agenda, with the 4Mi team and the Research team;
• Design new data collection methodologies with the 4Mi team and the research team, according to the MMC ESA research agenda.

Data collection

• Ensure the maintenance of the electronic data collection solution;
• Support the training of 4Mi enumerators on the questionnaire and the data collection software;
• Support the 4Mi team when relevant to conduct field missions to deploy new 4Mi surveys and/or modules, observe 4Mi enumerators and provide technical feedback and support as needed, including identifying the need for retraining/additional training;
• Develop new research design modalities and methods as needed per project;
• Provide backstopping to the 4Mi team when needed to provide feedback and support to 4Mi enumerators to ensure the quality of the data.

Data analysis and creation of knowledge products

• Support with and train others on the visualization of data, including GIS data, using relevant software such as QGIS, Adobe Illustrator, Excel, Affinity
• Lead the quantitative analysis data of 4Mi data using relevant software applications such as Excel, STATA, R and/or Python in support to the Research agenda;
• In liaison with the regional 4Mi team, conduct quantitative analysis to create both visual and written material (including maps) for use in presentations, on the MMC website, in 4Mi snapshots, and other products;
• Develop dashboards presenting data for internal and external use at regional level;
• Propose analytical themes based on data trends;
• Lead on the drafting of snapshots and other quantitative analytical products;
• Lead on the review and finalization of all quantitative research products.

Technical supervision (if applicable following successful recruitment of additional staff)

• Provide technical line supervision, guidance and support to the Information Management Assistant/Officer;
• Participate in recruitment and contribute to performance appraisals of Information Management Assistant/Officer.

Team support

• Develop and adapt tools for tracking data quality, survey targets, enumerator feedback, and other data points to support effective information management;
• As needed and as possible, provide trainings to team on information management skills and tools, such as the PowerBi application used for dashboards;
• Assist the team with administrative or any other tasks related to the 4Mi.
• As this is a Specialist-level position, the successful candidate is expected to work with a high level of autonomy and outputs are expected to be of an extremely high caliber for external partners, donors, researchers and other migration stakeholders.

  About you

• In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:
• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

  Experience and technical competencies:

• At least five years of experience working in quantitative research;
• Demonstrated experience in data management, cleaning, validation, storage;
• Demonstrated experience with electronic data collection procedures and solutions (ODK, Kobo, Qualtrics, ONA, SurveyCTO…);
• Demonstrated experience in the training and supervision of data collection teams;
• Demonstrated experience contributing to the development of survey tools and methodologies;
• Demonstrated experience in conducting quantitative analysis (using a relevant software application such as Excel, STATA, SPSS, R, Python) and drafting analysis based on quantitative data;
• Experience in GIS theory and GIS software (including QGIS, ArcGIS, CARTODB…) is an asset;
• Experience in data visualization applications such as PowerBi is desirable;
• Demonstrated understanding of current mixed migration debates and dynamics in the region is an asset;
• Previous experience working with international NGOs is an asset;
• Enthusiastic about learning, pushing limits, and finding new solutions;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, particularly writing for external publications;
• Strong attention to details and rigor in dealing with quantitative data and analysis.

  Education:

• Advanced Degree in statistics, economics, data analysis, or any relevant computer science degree.

  Languages:

• Full professional proficiency in English and either French OR Arabic;
• Additional regional language an asset

  We offer

Contract length: End of contract is August 31, 2024 with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.

Salary: Band NM G2

Start date: March 1, 2024

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Reporting Line: 4Mi Project Manager

Providing equal opportunities: We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards: DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process