Terms of Reference
Data Analysis Internship
General
The Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS) – www.jips.org is an inter-agency service and was set up in 2009.
Based in Geneva, JIPS is supervised by an Executive Committee comprised of the Danish Refugee
Council (DRC), the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), the International Rescue
Committee (IRC), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), the Office of the Special Rapporteur for the
Human Rights of IDPs, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
JIPS aims to support government, humanitarian and development actors to gather and analyze
profiling data that will inform a collaborative and evidence-based response towards durable
solutions to displacement. Working closely with multiple partners and capitalising on its inter-agency
nature, JIPS also works to bring its experience and belief in the impact of collaborative profiling in
the field, to the global level.
JIPS and Feinstein International Center (FIC) have a mutual interest of providing aid agencies,
governments and donors with timely and accurate information about displacement situations, and
are collaborating on several joint projects and trainings. JIPS and FIC have developed have developed
an internship programme for students to bring academic learning to a more operational
environment and be exposed to partners and initiatives in Geneva.
Internship description
Purpose
The JIPS team is composed of Field Support, Training & Capacity Building and Information
Management units. JIPS’ Information Management unit is responsible for providing support for
profiling projects, but also contributes to the wider humanitarian and development Information
Management community.
Information Management in the context of profiling displacement situations relates to the
production and dissemination of tools, methodologies and systems through which profiling data can
be gathered and later transformed into information and evidence. Information Management is
mainstreamed in the main stages of profiling processes, including: collection, capture, storage,
processing, analysis, reporting and dissemination of data.
The intern will support the Information Management unit at JIPS by:
1) Working on one or several research projects related to information analysis and
displacement data.
2) Provide support to the Information Management unit in strengthening JIPS’s tools, including
the Dynamic Analysis and Reporting Tool (DART) - www.dart.jips.org, JIPS Essential Toolkit
(JET) – www.jet.jips.org and the Profiling and Assessment Resource Kit (PARK) –
www.parkdatabase.org.
The Information Management Intern will be part of JIPS team and will report to the Information
Management Officer.
Description of duties
A final Terms of Reference will be decided upon depending on the intern’s interests and availability,
and could be composed of the following projects:
1a) Cross-comparison of (durable solutions) indicators from several datasets:
JIPS has supported over a dozen of country operations with planning for and implementing profiling
exercises. Findings have only been made available at the level of single-exercise reports or datasets
in the DART. However, at the global level decision-makers may also be interested in cross-country
trends and patterns on key displacement indicators. The intern will support:

Reviewing and consolidating (durable solutions) indicators and datasets of profiling exercises
supported by JIPS.

Developing research questions and analytical model to test.

Suggesting indicators and tabulation plans to conduct cross-country/dataset analyses.

Conducting statistical analysis of the data, and identifying relevant trends, patterns and key
findings.

Develop a report, according to the agreed reporting plan, including visualizations and
narrative interpretations of the findings as required.

Drafting recommendations for the use of (durable solutions) indicators and systematizing
cross-country analysis, reporting and visualization of datasets of profiling exercises
supported by JIPS through the DART.
1b) Combine quantitative and qualitative data for analysis and visualization:
JIPS methodological approach to profiling exercises includes ’snapshot profiling’, comprised of
quantitative data collection (sample-based household surveys), supplemented with qualitative data
(Focus Group Discussions and Key-Informant interviews). While quantitative data is often well
represented in the final analysis and report, qualitative data does not easily lend itself to the same
sorts of systematized analysis. Often report writers are drowning in qualitative data and face the
challenge how to combine quantitative and qualitative data for analysis and visualization. The intern
will support:



Reviewing of techniques related to analysis and visualization of qualitative data, including
literature research and review, identification of key resources and key informant interviews
and identification of case studies and best practices.
Reviewing and consolidating qualitative information from profiling exercises supported by
JIPS.
Developing a framework with recommendations on how to combine quantitative and
qualitative data for analysis and visualization through the DART.
1c) Big data and displacement
In the past few years several initiatives of humanitarian organizations have emerged thinking about
how Big Data (e.g. phone data, social media) created and stored by governments, private sector and
individuals can be used to inform decision-making and response to assist vulnerable communities in
the aftermath of a disaster.
JIPS is interested to find out how Big Data can reveal insights in the profiles of displaced populations
in protracted crises, and potentially changes or trends, to guide humanitarian and development
organizations to respond more effectively to emerging crises and vulnerabilities. The intern will
support:


Reviewing techniques related to monitoring and analysing Big Data related to displacement,
including literature research and review, identification of key resources and key informant
interviews and identification of case studies and best practices.
Writing a research paper outlining how big data can complement data collected through
profiling exercises including a proposed methodological approach for future exercises.
2) Provide support to the Information Management unit in strengthening JIPS’s tools
JIPS has developed several tools, (DART, JET, PARK) aiming to support colleagues at the global as well
as the field level during all stages of conducting profiling exercises. The intern will support:

Support daily management and maintenance of DART, JET and PARK websites and content.

Support identifying and develop new opportunities of products, projects and partnerships
with key partners.

Support monitoring and evaluation of tool usage and impact.
Conditions and benefits
This is a full-time internship role, either for summer placements (2 months) or longer periods
following graduation. The intern will be hosted in the JIPS office in Geneva.
Only candidates who have the right to reside and work in Switzerland (e.g. EU/Swiss passport) can
apply for the position.
Interns will receive a monthly allowance to cover housing and living expenses in Geneva. Interns
must be able to cover own travel expenses and health insurance.
Person specification
Qualifications

Studies in International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies or other relevant
fields. Studies specialized in population sciences and / or computer science is an asset.
Experience and achievements

Knowledge of population data management, with knowledge of different data collection
methodologies.

Knowledge of web-based information services within humanitarian organizations, including
demonstrated skills and knowledge in writing, editing and publishing material and using
multiple communication tools and tactics is highly desirable.
Skills and qualities

Advanced computer skills, including analytical software (e.g. SPSS, SATA), proficiency in
computers/software, emails, websites and communication and networking software.

Strong inter-personal skills, including skills in coordination and ability to work in teams.

Solid analytical, writing and presentation skills

Ability to be product/achievement oriented in short periods.

Demonstrated interest in humanitarian/development work; affinity with displacement
issues.

Strong English verbal and written skills. Additional UN Languages are an advantage.

Good knowledge and experience with web-design and database design software is desirable.
How to apply
Please note, although there is a requirement of EU/Swiss residency, we can work out an
arrangement where some of the work is done in Boston, and some in Geneva.
For more information or to apply, please contact karen.jacobsen@tufts.edu