REACH Data Specialist

About REACH, IMPACT

REACH was created in 2010 as a joint initiative of two International NGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH is a leading humanitarian initiative providing granular data, timely information, and in-depth analysis from contexts of crisis, disaster, and displacement. The work of REACH directly feeds into aid response and decision-making by providing accessible and precise information on the humanitarian situation of crisis-affected populations.

IMPACT Initiatives is a leading Geneva-based think-and-do tank which aims to improve the impact of humanitarian, stabilization and development action through data, partnerships, and capacity building programmes. The work of IMPACT is done through its three initiatives: REACH, AGORA and PANDA. With over 400 staff members, including assessment, data analysis, GIS experts and field professionals, IMPACT teams are present in over 20 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. IMPACT is a sister organization of ACTED, a non-governmental organization with headquarters in Paris.

ACTED is committed to immediate humanitarian relief to support those in urgent need and protect people’s dignity, while co-creating longer term opportunities for sustainable growth and fulfilling people’s potential. ACTED endeavors to respond to humanitarian crises and build resilience; promote inclusive and sustainable growth; co-construct effective governance and support the building of civil society worldwide by investing in people and their potential.

Greening strategy:

Acted’s greening strategy aims to tackle environmental degradation and climate change while meeting the needs of the most vulnerable who are often those most affected by the deepening environmental crisis. Each Acted employee will adhere to these principles through key green programming responsibilities:

• Contribute towards the adherence and development of the greening strategy plan.

• Explore innovative green programming opportunities and/or solutions within your realm of responsibilities and roles

• Encouraging and promoting environmental safeguarding processes and environmental programming standards in accordance with SOPs and technical guideline notes

Acted PSEAH Policy:

The Data Specialist has the responsibility to adhere to the PSEAH Policy (Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment). Data Specialist has the obligation to complete all mandatory trainings related to the Code of Conduct and the PSEA policy and report any safeguarding concern such as breaches of organizational policies or codes of conduct according to Acted’s procedures. Data Specialist carries out work duties in a way that does not harm children, vulnerable adults or other staff or volunteers.  

Job Summar

Under the supervision of the REACH Country Representative, the Data Specialist will oversee the management of the data unit and supervise data-related tasks across the research units. These tasks encompass the production of analytical outputs, assistance in designing sampling methodologies, implementation of data cleaning and analysis scripts and procedures, and execution of analysis scripts. Additionally, the Data Specialist will maintain and enhance existing data processing systems and pipelines and implement new ones as necessary. Furthermore, they will be responsible for designing and developing tools (such as scripts, web applications, or software applications) to enhance the efficiency of data-related activities throughout the mission, ensuring high-quality data and reducing the time required for data-related tasks.

Responsibilities:

Objective 1: Managing the data unit

The data specialist will be responsible for managing the data unit, including 1) staff, 2) research and 3) project management. This includes assigning tasks to team members, ensuring that data collection, cleaning, analysis, and reporting processes are carried out efficiently and accurately, and coordinating with the research managers and assessment teams to meet the research cycles deadlines. Additionally, it involves establishing and maintaining an internal project management process specifically designed for the data unit. This process serves to streamline the data requests, oversee ongoing activities, identify periods of high workload, and facilitate necessary adjustments when needed. Ultimately, the objective is to streamline the data unit work, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the data unit in supporting the implementation of the different research cycles.  

Objective 2: Maintaining data processing systems

The data specialist will be responsible for maintaining the existing data processing systems. This involves monitoring the performance of existing data processing systems (built in R), identifying, and resolving any technical issues or bottlenecks that may arise, and implementing upgrades or enhancements as necessary to accommodate changing requirements from the different assessment teams. Additionally, it involves implementing best practices for data storage, backup, and recovery to minimize the risk of data loss.

Objective 3: Technical focal point for the MCLA

The data specialist will be responsible for supporting the inter sectoral assessment officer in the design and delivery of the Multi Cluster Location Assessment (MCLA), a nation-wide multi-sectoral needs assessment that informs strategic humanitarian programming. This will involve developing cleaning and analysis tools/scripts, coordinating with partners to ensure an effective use of the developed tools, and providing technical input to the partners when needed. This may involve travelling to Yemen to support partners in country with the roll out of the MCLA.

Objective 4: Improving ways of working

This includes conducting regular reviews and assessments of existing processes to identify inefficiencies or areas for improvement, soliciting feedback from team members, and implementing changes or enhancements to enhance productivity, quality, and effectiveness. Additionally, it involves staying informed about emerging trends and best practices in data management and analysis, and leveraging new technologies or methodologies to drive continuous improvement.