Exciting Internship Opportunity: Data Science at UNHCR

Data Science Intern at UNHCR

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Location: Copenhagen (HQ), Denmark

Time Type: Full time

Posted On: Posted 5 Days Ago

Application Deadline: January 20, 2025 (8 days left to apply)

Job Requisition ID: JR2552259

Hardship Level: H (no hardship)

Family Type: Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type: Internship

Target Start Date: March 1, 2025

Terms of Reference

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), commonly known as the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time internship with the Statistics, Data Science, and Survey Section of the Global Data Service at its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark. This internship provides a unique opportunity to work within a globally recognized organization dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced individuals worldwide.

Exciting Internship Opportunity: Data Science at UNHCR

Organizational Context

Established in December 1950, UNHCR is a leading international organization committed to saving lives, protecting rights, and fostering a better future for millions of refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, internally displaced persons, and stateless individuals. UNHCR’s operations span over 130 countries, leveraging decades of expertise to deliver critical support to vulnerable populations.

The Statistics, Data Science, and Survey Section (SDSS), part of UNHCR’s Global Data Service (GDS), plays a pivotal role in developing statistical definitions, standards, and innovative methods to address challenges related to forced displacement. The section produces comprehensive global statistics and analyses, such as the annual Global Trends report, which provides insights into the dynamics of forced displacement and statelessness. Additionally, the Refugee Data Finder enables stakeholders, including humanitarian workers, researchers, and policymakers, to access critical data and information about affected populations.

Position Overview

The Data Science Intern will join the SDSS in Copenhagen, contributing to the development and delivery of advanced analytical products. This position involves close collaboration with operational teams, field operations, and external partners to enhance the understanding of forced displacement through data science and statistical techniques.

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship offers an engaging and intellectually stimulating environment where the intern will:

1. Contribute to the CLIFDEW-GRID Project: The intern will support the Climate Finance for Displacement Early Warning – Geospatial Risk and Impact Data (CLIFDEW-GRID) project, focusing on predicting forced displacement at the subnational level, with particular emphasis on climate change’s role.
2. Support Data Science Team Projects: The intern will apply statistical and data science techniques to global forced displacement and statelessness data, enhancing understanding of population behavior and vulnerabilities.
3. Design and Develop Data Products: The intern will assist in the design, development, and maintenance of data products that improve insights into forced displacement issues.
4. Documentation: The intern will document background analyses and the design of final data products, ensuring that methodologies and results are comprehensively recorded.
5. Collaborative Work: The intern will collaborate with external partners, including other UN agencies, governmental bodies, and academic institutions, to support the integration of data science into broader humanitarian efforts.
6. Other Tasks: The intern will perform additional tasks as needed, supporting the section’s overall objectives.

Minimum Qualifications and Professional Experience Required

To be eligible for this internship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Educational Background: Candidates should be recent graduates or current students in a graduate or undergraduate program from a university or higher education institution accredited by IAU/UNESCO. Applicants must have completed at least two years of undergraduate studies in a relevant field.
• Degree Fields: Ideal candidates will hold or be pursuing a degree in Data Science, Data Engineering, Machine Learning Engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in a statistical programming language such as Python, R, or Julia is required. Candidates should have experience with data management tools (e.g., SQL), data visualization platforms (e.g., Shiny, Dash), and familiarity with geo-spatial and remote sensing data.
• Additional Technical Expertise: Experience with Azure, Data Bricks, and Data Factory is advantageous.
• Communication Skills: Strong oral and written communication skills in English are essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively and adaptively within a diverse team environment.

Conditions

The internship is a full-time role, requiring a commitment of 40 hours per week, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The successful candidate must be available to work full-time for the duration of the internship.

Allowance: Interns who do not receive financial support from an external source will receive an allowance to help cover food, local transportation, and living expenses.

Travel: UNHCR provides reimbursement for the cost of economy-class travel from the intern’s residence to the duty station, subject to prior authorization.

Duration: Internships typically last between two to six months, with the possibility of extension up to eight months for full-time internships.

Obligations: Interns are responsible for obtaining necessary visas, residence permits, medical certification, and health insurance coverage applicable to their internship location.

Diversity and Inclusion

UNHCR is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Candidates with a refugee or stateless background are especially encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

The recruitment process may include a written test. No fees are charged at any stage of the recruitment process.

This position presents a remarkable opportunity to contribute to the vital work of UNHCR, leveraging data science to address some of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time. The intern will gain invaluable experience, working at the intersection of data science and humanitarian efforts, while contributing to projects with significant global impact.

Keywords

Top keywords associated with this internship opportunity include Data Science, UNHCR, Refugee Data, Forced Displacement, Climate Change, Statistical Programming, Data Products, Global Data Service, Humanitarian Efforts, and Predictive Models.

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