VAC-12614 Data and Platforms Support Consultant

Since 2011, Libya has witnessed violent conflict and political instability. Libya’s economy remains fragile because of its dependence on oil and lack of economic diversification. A significant share of micro, small and medium businesses in Libya involve their businesses in commerce, services, redistribution which have been hit hard by the loss of civilian income and the decline in the value of Libyan Dinar and its volatility.

The Libya Geodata Platform (LGP) is a cloud-based geo-data platform for economic development institutions, private sector, investors, and other interested stakeholders. The platform includes data disaggregation and geographical visualization modules specifically designed for area-based approach planning at the baladyati level in Libya. It is a user-friendly platform, with the built-in relational and/or non-relational databases, and data ingestion mechanisms with the set data dictionary and technical processes.

The availability of data at the baladyati level has been a major impediment. While majority of economic data is collected by various line ministries, the public sharing or publishing through Libyan Bureau of Statistics and Census is limited. In addition, the challenge includes the unavailability of data related to private sector, employment flows, education and job seekers. The intended data for the LGP shall include sectoral distribution with (i) the number of business licenses and operating permits issued by municipality/region; (ii) number of business registrations by municipality/region; (iii) average size of private sector firms by municipality/region; and (iv) number of private sector firms by municipality/region among others.

The overall objective of the Data and Platforms Consultant is to effectively gather (once available), manage, and visualize economic data in Libya to support economic recovery and development initiatives. This involves enhancing data collection processes and ensuring data accuracy and privacy. The consultant will also contribute to the data visualization tools and dashboards to aid stakeholders in making informed decisions. Additionally, the role includes providing training and support to data contributors and users to maximize the utility of the Libya Geodata Platform (LGP). The ultimate goal is to leverage detailed and localized data to drive targeted economic interventions and policymaking in post-conflict and economically vulnerable regions of Libya.

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the SLCRR economic recovery output lead. S/he will work closely with the SLCRR project team to gather all relevant information in order to produce the required result and will be responsible for the following tasks:

·Locate and evaluate various sources of economic data within Libya, such as municipalities, line ministries, private sector companies, educational institutions, and NGOs.

·Develop a detailed plan for collecting economic data, outlining timelines, specific data requirements, and coordination mechanisms with data providers.

·Actively collect data including business licenses, operating permits, business registrations, and other relevant economic indicators from identified sources.

·Ensure the accuracy and completeness of the collected data to maintain its reliability for analysis and decision-making.

·Analyze and enhance current data collection methods to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

·Organize collected data according to the established data principles and design data governance frameworks, including standards and data sharing mechanisms in both English and Arabic.

·Anonymize personal identifiers and aggregate data at the geographical level, adhering to designed data governance standards.

·Manage the relational and non-relational databases within the LGP, supporting the normalization and ingestion of data from platforms like the Humanitarian Data Exchange and REACH.

·Create and maintain dynamic dashboards and 'smart maps' that present data in a user-friendly, intuitive format.

·Develop documentation to support the data collection process and generate reports based on data visualizations to provide feedback and insights to stakeholders.

·Provide training and capacity building for data contributors and users, including supporting the ingestion process and the design of tailored dashboards for four main users.

·Conduct comprehensive analysis of available datasets specific to Libya to identify gaps and opportunities for enhancement.

Develop and implement testing protocols for the data collection and visualization systems, ensuring robust functionality and user satisfaction

PM

Ability to analyze complex data sets and extract actionable insights.

-       Proficient in data management software and tools, including GIS platforms and data visualization software.

-       Strong ability to communicate effectively in both English and Arabic, catering to a diverse range of stakeholders.

-       Capable of identifying issues and generating solutions in the data collection and analysis process.

Able to work effectively in dynamic and potentially unstable environments, adapting to changes in a post-conflict setting 

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.-       Minimum of 5 years’ experience in data collection, management, and analysis, preferably in economic data or related fields.

-       Demonstrated experience in data visualizations and dashboards.

-       Experience working in projects, particularly in data-driven fields, with a focus on economic development or humanitarian projects.

-       Prior experience working in conflict-affected or post-conflict regions, particularly in the MENA region, is highly beneficial.

-       An understanding of and ability to abide by the values of the United Nations.

-       Awareness and sensitivity in working with people of various cultural and social backgrounds.