Data Specialist for Myanmar based in Yangon

    Description

    BACKGROUND ON IMPACT AND REACH

     

    IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation manages several initiatives, including the REACH Initiative. The IMPACT team comprises specialists in data collection, management and analysis, GIS and remote sensing. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of Acted, an international NGO with headquarters based in Paris and presence in thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, which allows IMPACT to benefit from Acted’s operational support in its fields of intervention.

    We are currently looking for a Data Specialist to support our team in Myanmar, based in Yangon, Myanmar.

    Department:                 REACH

    Position:                      Data Specialist

    Contract duration:        6 months (renewable)

    Location:                      Yangon, Myanmar

    Starting Date:               28th February 2025

    Deadline to apply: 13th January 2025

     

    COUNTRY PROFILE

    Myanmar’s complex and multi-faceted humanitarian crisis is characterised by armed conflict, inter-communal tensions and vulnerability to natural hazards. The February 1st 2021 military takeover further exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities, leading to heightened needs amongst the population, with an estimated 19.9 million people, more than a third of the country’s population, now estimated to be in humanitarian need. Ongoing clashes continue to trigger displacement with more than 3.5 million people reportedly internally displaced.

    The IMPACT team has been supporting the humanitarian response in Myanmar since 2022 through the implementation of various assessments, including annual Multi-Sector Needs Assessments (MSNAs), Humanitarian Situation Monitoring, Joint Market Monitoring Initiative, Third Party Monitoring and other research in support of humanitarian and development agencies. IMPACT is continuing to explore new and innovative ways to effectively inform the humanitarian and development response.

     

    FUNCTIONS

    The REACH Data Specialist will fulfil the following functions:

    Under the line management of the IMPACT Country Representative, the Data Specialist ensures the validity and strengthens the quality and efficiency of all IMPACT research cycles in Myanmar, in accordance with IMPACT’s standards, partner expectations, and IMPACT’s ethos of facilitating an evidence-based response. In coordination with the Country Senior Management Team, the Data Specialist will provide technical inputs at all stages of relevant research cycles, including for secondary data reviews, assessment conceptualization, research design, data cleaning, data analysis, production of information products (inclusive of maps and factsheets), and dissemination of information products, etc. S/he will be involved in partner coordination, donor reporting, presentations, and will be required to provide input to the strategic development of IMPACT in Myanmar. The Data Specialist will also be responsible for developing and implementing a continuous capacity building program for national and international team members, and (when relevant) for providing trainings to partners.

     

    In his/her mission, the Data Specialist will be hosted by IMPACT’s global partner Acted and will fall under the direct responsibility and management of Acted’s Country Director and his/her delegates for all Administrative, Security, and relevant Logistics and Finance issues. S/he will therefore fully abide to Acted’s Security, Administration, and relevant HR, Logistics and Finance rules and regulations.

    Mission

    RESPONSIBILITIES

    The Data Specialist responsibilities include the following:

     

    Research planning and implementation

    • In coordination with the Research Manager(s), ensure that assessments are planned in line with project objectives and with IMPACT’s guidelines;

    • For each assessment, ensure contribution to and review of draft ToRs with a specific focus on the sampling design, data collection methodology, analysis plan, as well as data management plan,

    • In coordination with Assessment team, co-construct qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, ensuring data requirements of research cycle/assessment are met;

    • Develop data processes and scripts as is relevant, ensure that support is provided by data staff in overseeing data collection, including validation as part of daily assessment checks;

    Data management, cleaning and analysis

    • Ensure that all collected data is stored in line with IMPACT’s Data Management Guidelines, and with the research project ToRs (Data Management Plan Annex);

    • Ensure that data is cleaned, all revisions are recorded, and datasets are maintained and securely stored;

    • Ensure data analysis conducted on collected data as per ToRs, and is validated by IMPACT HQ before output product drafting stage;

    • Ensure the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality and protection of collected information;

    • Perform additional analyses on external datasets and internal previous datasets as relevant/required;

     

    Team Management

    • Direct management of data team, including line management of data officers, including recruitment and staff career management, and the development of work plans and performance indicators;

    • Collaborate closely with Country Representative and Research Managers, in terms of work planning and technical guidance of the relevant data staff;

    • Conduct regular meetings with all data team members to assess progress in all research cycles and to review work plan;

    • Reviewing data staff work throughout research cycles (cleaning datasets, analysis scripts, maps, etc.)

    • Be available to provide regular support and technical backstopping.

     

    External engagement

    • In coordination with the IMPACT Country Representative, engage in relevant technical fora in country (e.g. IM working group).

    • Coordinate with other organisations engaged with the maintenance of data in Myanmar, ensuring IMPACT databases are up-to-date and in line with Common Operational Datasets (CODs);

    • Support the presentation of IMPACT data products to relevant third parties, to enhance their use and impact.


    Strategy Development and Implementation

    • Under the guidance of the Country Representative, contribute to the development and implementation of IMPACT’s strategy in Myanmar as part of the Senior Management Team.

    • Work with clusters and partner organizations and working groups to understand the various relevant data gaps within Myanmar and identify how IMPACT will fill these gaps;

    • Engagement with HQ on research and/or coordination and provide support to relevant IMPACT Global Community of Practices (CoPs).

     

    The Data Specialist will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes. He/she will actively take measures to prevent the unauthorized sharing of any information and data belonging to IMPACT and its partners, or collected during his/her assignment with IMPACT.

    Profil

    REQUIREMENTS

    • Academic Excellent academic qualifications, preferably including a Master degree in relevant discipline (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Data Analytics);

    • Research skills Excellent research and analytical skills required, including a sound understanding of sampling methods and their application, an ability to clean and analyse large data sets, as well as conduct temporal or spatial trend analysis. Demonstrable experience of data science. Excellent data analysis skills. Experience with GIS is desirable.

    • Software skills Advanced knowledge of R or Python is required. Knowledge of equivalent statistical software is an advantage. Strong knowledge of PowerBi is highly desirable. Proven knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required. Knowledge of ArcGIS Pro/ QGIS an advantage.

    • Management skills Demonstrable experience of line managing and building the capacity of technical staff.

    • Familiarity aid system Familiarity with the aid system and with the research community;

    • Years of work experience At least 4 years of relevant working experience

    • Training skills Ability to conduct trainings and mentor IMPACT teams and partners on data/ assessment skills; 

    • Communication/reporting skills Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting;

    • Multi-tasking skills Ability to multitask with tight deadlines, on numerous research projects;

    • Level of independence Strong existing ability to work independently in support of colleagues and partners;

    • Cross-cultural work environment Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;

    • Experience in geographical region Past experience in Myanmar or the South-East Asia region is desirable;

    • Language skills Fluency in English required, competency in Burmese or other Myanmar languages an asset;

    COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

    • For this position, salary between 3’060 CHF and 3’240 CHF monthly (before income tax), etc as well as a monthly living allowance of 300 USD NB - IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary grid depending on the grade of the position and the level of education of staff. A location-dependent security and/or isolation adjustment is then applied as a recognition that some staff are required to work in difficult places where living and working conditions are much more difficult than elsewhere.

    • Accommodation provided in the guesthouse.

    • Enrolment in Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approx. 9.975% of staff gross salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance.

    • Flight tickets every 6 months & visa fees covered (in-country travel costs and professional expenses are fully covered).

    • Contribution to the luggage transportation: between 20 and 100 kgs, depending on the length of the contract (+ luggage and personal property insurance)

    • Annual leave of 36 days per year. Public holidays of the country of assignment. Family/compassionate leave when applicable.

    • Predeparture induction - 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives’s HQ in Geneva + one week pre-departure training in Acted HQ in Paris, including a 4-days in situ security training;

    • IMPACT prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among others, up to 1000 € per year of psychosocial counselling fees.