Regional Thematic Specialist (Data and Research)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, providing services and advice to governments and migrants. The organization is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally while harnessing the full potential of migration. IOM operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various aspects of migration and humanitarian response.

Job Overview:
The Regional Thematic Specialist (Data and Research) will lead the management of the Regional Office Data and Research Unit, implementing institutional policies from relevant Headquarters counterparts in Country Offices across the Region. This role involves serving the data and analysis needs of the Region, collaborating with a network of Regional Thematic Specialists, and providing oversight and operational support to promote evidence-based policies and programming. The successful candidate will convert data and research relevant to migration and displacement into actionable information, yielding insights into mobility patterns and informing strategic decisions. The position requires a strong focus on integrating cross-cutting priorities into all areas of work, enhancing program leadership, strategy design, and implementation across thematic areas.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Thematic Specialist (Data and Research) include leading the RO Data and Research Unit, providing technical support to Country Offices, overseeing the design and production of analyses of regional migration trends, and developing partnerships with various stakeholders. The role also involves fostering collaboration with key stakeholders to leverage data science methods, providing technical guidance to COs, ensuring adherence to data quality standards, and managing the Regional Data Hub. The Specialist will coordinate the production of reports on migration trends, engage in inter-regional initiatives, and mainstream protection-centered approaches in all areas of IOM's work.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in demography, sociology, political science, geography, or a related field with seven years of relevant professional experience, or a University degree in the same fields with nine years of experience. Required qualifications include experience in migration data, research, and analysis, particularly in a managerial role, as well as proficiency in data collection, statistical methods, and information management. Candidates should also demonstrate skills in team building, data analysis, and understanding various data collection methodologies.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in demography, sociology, political science, geography, or a related field is required, along with relevant professional experience. Alternatively, a University degree in the same fields with additional years of experience is acceptable. The educational background should provide a strong foundation for understanding migration dynamics and data analysis.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in migration data, research, and analysis is required. Candidates should have experience in using data to inform decisions and strategies, as well as in coordinating multicultural teams and field-based staff. Practical field experience in humanitarian action and understanding of relief interventions is advantageous, along with experience in quantitative and qualitative migration research design.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, both oral and written. A working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an advantage. Language proficiency will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
The position is internationally recruited, and candidates are required to be mobile. The selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in a similar position for 24 months. Candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country without prior experience outside the country in the Professional category are not eligible. Appointment is subject to medical fitness certification, residency or visa requirements, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearances. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims of the United Nations and IOM, including discrimination and harassment. IOM does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications through the IOM e-Recruitment system.