Public Health and DTM Analytics, Knowledge and Output Quality (AKO) Intern (London) - Paid Internship

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 five years, including in all Level 3 emergencies. During 2017, DTM has been active in over 60 countries. To coordinate and support operations implemented by approximately 2,400 staff, the global DTM support team is comprised of 40 specialists across eight locations (Geneva, London, Bangkok, Nairobi, Dakar, Cairo, Vienna and The Hague). Since its inception the global support team includes, on average, 50% female and 50% male staff as well as a diverse range of nationalities.

The Migration Health Division (MHD) has the institutional responsibility to oversee, support and coordinate 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 integrated preventive and curative health programmes which are beneficial, accessible, and equitable for vulnerable migrants and mobile populations. The Division is composed of the following areas of work: Migration Health Assessment; Health Promotion and Assistance for Migrants; and Migration Health Assistance for Crisis-Affected Populations.

Currently, there is more displacement data available than ever before. However, such data has not been leveraged to its maximum potential for the purpose of guiding health sector response during emergencies. In the context of infectious disease hazards, regular human mobility has shown capability to amplify the spread of infectious diseases, and therefore needs to be well-understood within response efforts. To date, however, the utilization of human mobility information to guide response efforts is still a new concept that needs to be further developed and tested. The main objective of this internship will be to assist IOM to explore areas of public health analysis of IOM’s DTM data, which tracks and monitors the displacement and population mobility, as well as provide recommendations on how health programming can contribute to DTM exercises to strengthen health information, for the purpose of supporting health sector decision making during humanitarian response.

Global DTM support is organized within the following units: Global System Management (GSM); Project and Operations Support (POS); Operations and Methodological Framework (OMF); Data Systems and Centralization (DSC); Data Management, Verification and Procedures (MVP); Digital Content Management (DCM); Analytics, Knowledge and Output Quality (AKO); Data Models and Learning (DML); DTM and Data Partnerships (DDP); Geospatial Analytics (GSA); Data Initiated Operations (DIO); and Humanitarian and Development Solutions (HDS).

Global Migration Health Division (MHD) is organized within the following units: Migration health in Crisis, Health Assessment Programme, and Health Promotion and Assistance for Migrants.

Located in the IOM London office, under direct supervision of the DTM AKO Unit Lead (London) and the Health Emergency Operations Officer (Geneva) and the overall/daily supervision of the Global DTM Coordinator (London), the successful candidate will integrate into the AKO unit.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Objective: Technical assistance will be provided to evaluate possible ways to analyse and use DTM data from a public health and epidemiological perspective. The purpose will be to review DTM tools and datasets, and advise on how existing and future DTM exercises could benefit health partners and inform health sector response.

Common to all interns in the AKO unit:

• Provide support in analysis and interpretation of data as well as in review of DTM documents requiring remote assistance
• Provide support in analysis and interpretation of data, as tasked by MHD and DTM units;
• Facilitate the organization of webinars in support of MHD and DTM units to ensure regular internal and external updates on human mobility as part of public health interventions;
• If necessary, to provide updates on human mobility trends, changes and any other significant observations surrounding human mobility in the targeted countries;
• Assist MHD and DTM units in the production and quality control of documents;
• Coordinate with other units of the global DTM support team also in contact with relevant DTM and MHD units in order to ensure continuity of functional workflows;

Thematic focus: Improvement and consolidation of DTM practice related to exploring areas of public health analysis of IOM’s DTM data, which tracks and monitors displacement and population mobility as well as analytical frameworks, related to monitoring population movements in health emergencies

• Statistically analyze DTM datasets from a public health perspective and identify opportunities for use by the health sector partners, including both mobility tracking and flow monitoring data especially from the countries with strong DTM site assessment products/data
• Build upon existing DTM/MHD materials for DTM staff, and support the teams in producing documentation for global DTM preparedness, with specific emphasis on public health emergencies
• Support IOM MHD and DTM’s pilot project in coordination with WHO at the regional and country level to develop an early warning cross-border community event-based disease surveillance system in Libya. Conduct a systematic literature review on composite risk score weighting to determine which risk factors are more associated with cholera incidence in emergencies.
• Assist in the development of methodologies and tools on Population Mobility Mapping for public health action, as well as identify good practices and provide recommendations for improvement;
• Support with any reporting activities related to displacement and health within the targeted countries
• Support IOM thematic research on displacement and health support in monitoring/quality control of data collected and analysis
• Provide administrative and logistical support when needed.   
• Perform other duties as may be assigned throughout the internship.  

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, perspectives, 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

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

IV. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

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

V. LANGUAGES