Terms of Reference

Title: Statistics Project Intern (EGRISS Monitoring)
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Duration: 15/07/2024 to 14/01/2025 (with possibility of extension)

Organizational Context

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time internship with the Statistics and Demographics Section of the Global Data Service (GDS) in Copenhagen, Denmark. UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for asylum seekers, refugees, returnees, internally displaced communities and stateless people.

Access to reliable, timely, relevant and accurate data on these populations is essential to enhance their protection and support the achievement of durable solutions. The Statistics and Demographics Section develops statistical definitions and standards and oversees the production of global statistics on refugees and other populations of concern to UNHCR. The Agency’s Data Transformation Strategy 2020-2025 aims to position UNHCR as a trusted leader on data and information related to refugees and other populations of concern.

The internship is based in Copenhagen with GDS’ Statistics and Demographics Section. The intern will join the Secretariat of the Expert Group on Refugee, IDP and Statelessness Statistics (EGRISS), work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Secretariat and in close collaboration with other secretariat colleagues and units within the Statistics and Demographics Section.

Increasingly, UNHCR’s data efforts rely on joint engagements with partners to better achieve outcomes for those affected by forced displacement. As part of these efforts, UNHCR has taken a leading role in the Expert Group on Refugee, IDP and Statelessness Statistics (EGRISS), both as a Steering Committee member and through hosting its Secretariat. The EGRISS currently consists of 55 countries and 35 international and regional organisations.

The EGRISS was established in 2016 by the UN Statistical Commission to develop recommendations on refugee and IDP statistics and produce guidance for their implementation at country level. The International Recommendations on Refugee (IRRS) and IDP (IRIS) Statistics were endorsed in 2018 and 2020, respectively, and implementation work is ongoing through advocacy, capacity building, and further methodological development. Most recently, the International Recommendations on Statelessness Statistics (IROSS) have been endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission in 2023. All three sets of recommendations aim to contribute to the improvement of official statistics on the identified populations produced through the national statistical systems of affected countries.

A central focus of EGRISS’ third mandate (2020-2024) concerns capacity development which is pursued through regional engagement, technical support, guidance provision and online learning. The Secretariat also invests in monitoring the application of the international statistical recommendations by countries and institutions alike to feed into annual reporting processes. During the period 2020-2023, over 176 concrete examples of implementation have been identified. In 2023, the EGRISS Secretariat has revised its implementation monitoring system, launching it as Global Annual Inclusion (GAIN) survey improving the quality of the data it collects, and the insights that can be drawn from analysis of collected data. In 2024, Secretariat has conducted the evaluation of GAIN survey, to further improve scope and coverage of monitoring progress made by countries and international organizations to pursue statistical inclusion of refugees, IDPs and stateless persons. Implementation of identified improvements in GAIN 2024 round, will enable more precise identification of best practices, upcoming activities, enhance knowledge dissemination, inform peer-to peer learning and future improvements of the recommendations.

The position

We are seeking an intern to assist the EGRISS Secretariat in a range of activities with a focus on in the revision and implementation of the EGRISS GAIN survey and management of the associated monitoring database that tracks the application of international recommendations. As an intern, you will work closely with the EGRISS Secretariat staff and relevant EGRISS members to ensure the successful planning, execution, and reporting of the GAIN survey. The internship will provide you with hands-on experience in survey design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Support EGRISS monitoring & evaluation activities, including updates and implementation of EGRISS Global Annual Inclusion (GAIN) survey:
– Assist in the updates to GAIN survey instruments, based on lessons learned from the evaluation process, instrument translation in survey languages, update of survey protocols, including a pilot test for 2024 round of the survey
– Help implement survey schedule and logistics plan
– Assist in identification of additional focal points from national statistical systems to enhance the scope of GAIN 2024 survey and obtain necessary permissions and clearances to include them in the 2024 data collection
– Participate in pre-survey briefings with institutional respondents (e.g., regional EGRISS partners, national and global institutions with large number of examples) for coordinating dissemination
– Help conduct the GAIN 2024 survey as per the updated and approved methodology and protocols
– Assist respondents with any additional information during data collection to ensure adherence to protocols
– Support follow up interviews with selected respondents to complete GAIN survey dataset
– Help compile and organize the collected data
– Assist in cleaning and validating the data to ensure accuracy and completeness
– Assist in analysing the data using appropriate statistical techniques
– Help prepare GAIN survey results based on identified tabulations needed for EGRISS annual and supplemental reporting, workplans of technical sub-working groups, regional engagement and other dissemination efforts
– Help update other dissemination tools, like GAIN survey dashboards and infographics.
– Assist in disseminating the report to stakeholders
– Document lessons learned and best practices
– Assist in preparing an annual archive of implemented documents, datasets, and reports
– Other duties as assigned
2. Support the development of EGRISS’ Annual Report, including development of case studies.
3. Support organization and coordination of meetings, documentation of decisions and actions agreed and necessary logistical arrangements.
4. Support the effective implementation of EGRISS Secretariat’s responsibilities.

Eligibility

In order to be considered for an internship, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Be either a recent graduate (having completed their studies within two years of applying) or a current student in a graduate/undergraduate school programme from a university or higher education facility accredited by IAU/UNESCO; and
• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a field relevant or of interest to the work of UNHCR, i.e. in Statistics, Demography, Public Policy, Economics, International Relations, Social Science or any other related field.

NOTE: An individual whose father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of the Affiliate Workforce, is not eligible for an internship.

Minimum qualifications required

– The intern has displayed an interest in and comprehension of official statistics (and/or operational data) from a variety of sources, such as surveys, administrative data, census data, operational data, big data, and other types of data.
– Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
– Strong written and verbal communication skills
– Interest to pursue career in humanitarian/development action, forced displacement, migration or related field.
– Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
– Experience with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R, Pyhton)
– Experience with data visualization software (e.g., PowerBI, Tableau)
– Ability to work independently and in a team setting
– Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
– Knowledge of survey methodology and data analysis techniques is a plus
– Must be available to work full-time for the duration of the internship
– Fluency in English language (knowledge of another UN language such as French, Spanish or Arabic is an asset).

Location and Conditions

The successful candidate will be based with the team at the UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The internship is for six months, with the possibility of extension to eight months, and the expected start date is 15 July 2024. This is a full-time role with working hours starting from 8.30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday (40 hours per week).

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

For non-EU candidates, D-visa needs to be obtained prior to traveling to Denmark which could takes up to 8 weeks. The office will provide assistance on visa-related issues.

Allowance: Interns who do not receive financial support from an outside party will receive an allowance to partially help to cover the cost of food, local transportation and living expenses.

Unless provided or paid by their sponsoring entities, UNHCR reimburses interns’ travel costs to/from the duty station.

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

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

We welcome applications from candidates with a refugee or stateless background.