Policy and Data Analyst Intern - JPAL/IPA Displaced Livelihoods Initiative - (Remote)

Summary of the Organization

IOM, globally and within Iraq, is a major actor in post-conflict recovery and reconstruction, and as such is heavily involved in livelihood development and job creation programmes. IOM’s strengths lie in its field presence and operational capacity to rebuild community infrastructure, conduct vocational trainings and provide grant funding to support business development. IOM Iraq livelihoods services cover a large scope of projects, from individual level assistance such as business development grants, vocational and on the job training, and job placements, to financial grants for small and medium enterprises across Iraq under the Individual Livelihoods Assistance (ILA) and Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) programs. Livelihoods programming contributes to creating conducive conditions to achieve durable solutions in communities affected by forced displacement as a result of conflict and climate change.

Summary of the Role

IOM conducts a range of research projects to inform its economic recovery programming in Iraq. These include operational research using machine learning and advanced analytics to automate processes and strengthen quality control mechanisms, as well as rigorous impact evaluations through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in collaboration with leading universities. IOM is currently looking for an intern to support the analysis of data collected in its Community Spillovers study, which is being conducted in partnership with Emory University and the University of California Santa Barbara and has received funding from the JPAL/IPA Displaced Livelihoods Initiative. The study looks at the impact of IOM livelihoods programming on local economic recovery, social cohesion and the achievement of durable solutions to displacement in areas of Iraq affected by the 2014 conflict.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator (Economic Recovery and Livelihoods) for IOM Iraq and the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator (Research), the successful candidate will be responsible for conducting data analysis and desk research and for drafting analytical and policy reports. 

Core Functions / Responsibilities

• Provide support in the analysis and interpretation of data related to ongoing research projects and programmatic activities undertaken by the Livelihoods Unit in Iraq
• Develop R scripts for the analysis and visualization of survey and administrative data collected by the Livelihoods Unit in Iraq and of relevant data from secondary sources, with a focus on the Community Spillovers RCT.
• Assist in the application of suitable econometric techniques for the analysis of experimental and non- experimental data.
• Support the longlisting and shortlisting of EDF applicants, including by automating relevant steps through suitable R scripts.
•  Based on need, provide updates on economic and social trends, changes and correlational analysis in areas targeted by the Community Spillovers RCT.
•  Conduct quality control, data cleaning and automated checks for administrative and survey data collected by the Livelihoods Unit in Iraq.
•  Facilitate the logistical organization of webinars in support of the Livelihoods unit to communicate research findings internally and externally.
•  Assist in the production and quality control of research reports, dashboards, infographics and presentations on ongoing projects undertaken by the Livelihoods Unit in Iraq, ensuring the products are accessible to non-technical audiences.
•  Identify and synthesize relevant secondary data sources, contextualizing IOM data to inform economic recovery, durable solutions and community stabilization programming.
• Assist in the refinement of data collection methodologies and questionnaires, identifying good practices and providing recommendations for improvement.
•  Support ad hoc information requests and reporting activities related to Livelihoods in Iraq or EDF global activities.
•  Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience 

• Master’s degree in Economics, Political Science, Development Studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution; or
• University degree in the above fields with a year of relevant professional experience. Experience,
• Experience in quantitative research projects and data analysis (survey research, applied econometrics and/or machine learning), with a demonstrated ability to work independently (required).
• Demonstrated experience in writing clear and concise reports for a variety of audiences (required).
• Strong knowledge and interest in migration and forced displacement, development economics, political economy of development, and/or conflict studies (required).
• Experience working in a team in a time-pressured environment (preferred).

General skills

 Required:

•  Personal commitment, efficiency, flexibility.
•  Ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a team and with colleagues from varied cultures and  professional backgrounds under tight deadlines.
•  Ability to work independently and maintain motivation with limited supervision.
•  Strong writing and communication skills.

Technical skills

 Required:

• Knowledge and proven experience working with R (programming language), including at least three of the following packages: dplyr, data.table, ggplot2, shiny, sf (or equivalent).
•  Advanced knowledge of quantitative research methods, including survey research, applied econometrics (experimental and quasi-experimental methods), and/or machine learning.

 Advantageous:

 Any or more of the following:

• Experience with GIS software such as ArcGIS/QGIS.
• Experience with other coding languages (e.g. Python) and relational databases (inc. SQL).
•  Experience in qualitative research methods

 Languages:

•  Fluency in English language is required.
•  Fluency in Arabic language is an advantage.