DTM Human mobility and public health consultant

I. ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT AND SCOPE

Since 2004 the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) is IOM’s main operational tool for tracking and monitoring the movements and the evolving needs of displaced populations. It has been systematically deployed in medium to large-scale humanitarian response operations in the last seven years, including in all Level 3 emergencies. During 2020 DTM was active in over 72 countries. To coordinate and support operations implemented by approximately 5,200 staff, the global DTM support team is comprised of 45 specialists across eight locations (Geneva, London, Bangkok, Nairobi, Dakar, Cairo, Vienna and The Hague).

The Migration Health Division (MHD) oversees the Organization’s provision of migration health services globally. These services aim to meet the needs of Member States in managing health-related aspects of migration, and to promote evidence-based policies and holistic, preventive and curative health programmes which are beneficial, accessible, and equitable for mobile populations and host communities. IOM’s health response to humanitarian and public health emergencies aims to save lives, reduce morbidity and alle¬viate suffering, while upholding humanitarian principles and protect human dignity. Programming in this domain encompasses the various stages and typologies of emergencies, throughout all the phases of the mobility continuum.

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, the need to address the vulnerabilities facing mobile populations becomes increasingly more acute in the effort to prevent rapid propagation of the health crisis. In the context of infectious diseases, understanding human mobility patterns can help guide public health preparedness and response efforts and prioritization of resources, and therefore needs to be well-understood within planning and response efforts.

The main objective of this consultancy will be to support IOM with the development of public health data models and to identify the usefulness of DTM mobility data from a public health perspective and provide recommendations for improvement in areas related to DTM data collection and use. This staff will facilitate work related to models across the collaboration.
Located in the IOM London office, under direct supervision of the DTM Global Coordinator (London) and the Health Emergency Operations Officer (Geneva), the successful candidate will integrate into both IOM teams of DTM and MHD, and work closely with the IOM staff working on this project

II. RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

The candidate should be permanently up to date on the most recent human mobility trends, changes and any other significant observations surrounding human mobility in countries prioritized according to public health emergencies & specific to this project.

Project Objective: To contribute to advancing the capacity of public health stakeholders to access and use population mobility data derived from DTM data systems and other secondary source of data and analysis, including the mobile phone usage data.

The consultant’s main activities will include:

• Contribute to the development of the Health, Border & Mobility Management (HBMM) data landscape (see Annex 1), and public health data models using DTM and CDR data
• Identify the usefulness of DTM mobility data from a public health perspective and provide recommendations for improvement in areas related to DTM data collection, including recommended inclusions to the Global DTM Dictionary
• Identify other external Public Health Information System/Services (PHIS) datasets that DTM data can complement, and provide recommendations on how DTM can complement these datasets, including examples/templates for cross-analysis, in coordination with MHD Research and Epidemiology team
• Set up processes / recipes / automated systems to integrate CDR-derived outputs into DTM tools and operations in target country
• Contribute, and author reports and online written advice regarding the combined use of CDR-derived and DTM mobility data to improve understanding of the influence of aggregate population movement on the spread of infectious disease with a focus on operationally relevant policies.
• Contribute, and author reports and online written material on best practices for ethically sound use of mobile operator data for infectious disease control, with a focus on low and lower-income settings in conjunction with the Data Science and Ethics Group (DSEG)
• Build up on existing DTM/MHD materials for DTM & MHD staff, and support the teams in producing documentation for global DTM preparedness, with specific emphasis on public health emergencies
• Support MHD in consolidating recommendations related to DTM indicators and the MHD component in the DTM data dictionary, including in developing analytical frameworks applicable to DTM data and useful during health emergencies
• Advancing the capacity of public health stakeholders to access and use population mobility data derived from DTM data systems and mobile phone usage data

Provide administrative and logistical support when needed.  

Perform such other duties as may be assigned. 

III. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Excellent research, writing, communication and statistical/analytical skills;
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports;
• Accountability;
• Client Orientation;
• Continuous Learning;
• Communication;
• Creativity and Initiative;
• Planning and Organizing;
• Professionalism - displays mastery of subject matter;
• incorporates gender related needs,
• Pperspectives,
• Concerns and promotes equal gender participation;
• Technological Awareness.

Behavioural

• Strong and demonstrable knowledge and interest in migration, public health, International Health Regulations, biostatistics, epidemiology, development and/or humanitarian issues;
• 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.

Technical

• Experience working with statistical software, such as Python, R, Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) or STATA software is necessary, Proficiency using Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word and PowerPoint) is required;
• Experience using Adobe InDesign is a distinct advantage;

IV. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 1

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

V. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Education

Advanced degree from an accredited academic institution in a field of study related to public health, epidemiology, Biostatistics, Physics, Geographical Information Science (GIS) or other relevant disciplines.

PHD in Epidemiology or spatial modelling would be advantageous.

VI. LANGUAGES

Advantegeous: Working knowledge of additional UN language.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your CV and a cover letter (in PDF file) not more than one page specifying the motivation for application to: dtmrecruitment@iom.int Please quote “DTM Human mobility and public health + SURNAME_ Name” in the subject of your application email.

 

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

 

Deadline for application: 4^th of June 2021

Annex 1: