We are currently looking for a Mogadishu-based Senior Data Officer to support our REACH team in Somalia and Kenya. .

Department:                 REACH

Position:                      Senior Data Officer

Contract duration:        12 months

Location:                      SOMALIA (MOGADISHU) – Supporting Kenya and Somalia team

Starting Date:               ASAP

COUNTRY PROFILE

Somalia’s protracted and dynamic humanitarian crisis includes ongoing conflict, climate-related shocks and communicable disease outbreaks. Consecutive failed rainy seasons are exacerbating the influences of seasonal flooding and insecurity. The degradation of soil due to drought, coupled with poor soil management and soil transpiration due to high temperatures, has increased the overall vulnerability of Somali communities in semi-arid areas to seasonal flooding; while lack of water and livelihoods abets active conflict in-country. Drought, flooding and active conflict are then driving food insecurity, communicable disease outbreaks and internal displacement.

The latest IPC, published in September 2023, estimates that approximately 3.7 million are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (i.e. IPC Phase 3 – Crisis or Phase 4 – Emergency), and the latest forecasts suggest an above average rainfall which could further adversely impact livelihoods, food security and nutrition outcomes in-country. Concurrently, high reporting of communicable diseases across Somalia persists. Cholera cases have been continuously reported across 29 districts in Somalia since 2022. Approximately 13,652 suspected cases of cholera were recorded in Somalia between 01 January 2023 – 01 October 2023. In tandem, 39,441 cases of acute diarrheal disease (AWD) and 9,629 cases of measles were reported between 01 January 2023 – 17 September 2023. In parallel, approximately 1,552,044 individuals were internally displaced between 01 January 2023 – 01 October 2023 primarily due to drought, flooding and active flooding.

In 2016 REACH was deployed in Kenya and has since then been providing information on the needs and intentions of host communities and refugees residing in the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. Beyond the multi-sectoral focused work, IMPACT has become the go-to partner of the Kenya and Somali Cash Consortia, covering the post-distribution monitoring in a variety of contexts and multi-purpose cash programs.

Currently, the Horn of Africa is experiencing effects of the El Nino flooding, following five consecutive failed rainy seasons. The drought last year and current flooding are compounding existing food insecurity among both pastoral and farming populations, and needs are spiking across the region.

FUNCTIONS

Under the line management of the Deputy Country Representative, the Senior Data Officer is responsible for the production of IMPACT’s analysis products in Somalia and Kenya missions, including the preparation of research design, support in designing sampling methods, data analysis plans, data collection tools, data cleaning scripts and processes, analysis scripts, analysis outputs and (as relevant) production of web maps and information management systems. The Senior Data Officer will support in the dissemination and evaluation stages of the research cycle. Throughout each research cycle, the Senior Data Officer, in close liaison with the assessment and field teams, engages with partners to promote their participation in data processing, analysis or relevant topics as designated by the line manager, to maximize the uptake and use of IMPACT research. When relevant, or managing a project, he/she also ensures an efficient and transparent use of resources required for project implementation. This can include the direct supervision of data and assessment teams during data collection, analysis, or output production. The Senior Data Officer is expected to undertake periodic travel to Nairobi, Kenya, to support mission-related activities, including providing on-site oversight, guidance, and technical support to the Kenya-based data team. This includes ensuring data quality standards are met, facilitating coordination with program teams, and strengthening local data management capacity.

In his/her mission, the Senior Data Officer 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.

REQUIREMENTS

• Research skills Demonstrable experience of data science. Excellent data analysis skills.
• Software skills Advanced knowledge of R, STATA, Python or equivalent statistical software. Proven knowledge of Microsoft office including Word, and PowerPoint.
• Years of work experience At least 2 years of relevant working experience. Experience in humanitarian settings highly desirable.
• Management skills Team management experience and skills highly desirable.
• Communication/reporting skills Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting.
• Multi-tasking skills Ability to multitask with tight deadlines, on numerous research cycles.
• Level of independence Proven ability to work independently.
• Cross-cultural work environment Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility.
• Language skills Fluency in English required, competency in Somali/Swahili an asset.
• Security environment Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment.
• Masters’ degree in a relevant discipline (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Management Systems, Statistics, Mathematics, etc.). Or, Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline with relevant work experience;
• Experience with cleaning and analyzing large datasets required.
• Strong skills in Excel required (Advanced).
• Good understanding of various sampling frameworks.
• Ability to work independently and remotely.
• Experience with GIS applications such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine, OpenStreet Map, and/or Tableau is an added advantage.
• Experience with Kobo, ODK or similar mobile data collection tools.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• For this position, salary between 3’000 CHF and 3’120 CHF monthly (before income tax), etc as well as a monthly living allowance of 300 USD, and food allowance 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 a guesthouse.
• Enrolment in Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approx. 9.975% of staff gross salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance
• Accompanied status does not apply to this position.
• 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’ HQ in Geneva + one week pre-departure training in ACTED HQ in Paris, including a 4-days in situ security training;
• Enrolment in IMPACT Initiatives Research Foundational Learning Programme within the first 3 months from the start of contract.
• IMPACT prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among others, up to 1000 € per year of psychosocial counselling fee.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your application using the form below. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
In case you encounter challenges using the application form, please contact us via [email protected]