Head of Data and Insights

I. Job Information

Job Title: Head of Data and Insights

Unit: Strategic Initiatives

Reports to: Vice President Strategic Initiatives

Reports: 3

Grade: P3 (Staff Contract)

The World Maritime University (WMU) is a postgraduate and research university established in 1983 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the maritime agency of the United Nations. WMU offers M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes, postgraduate diplomas, and Professional Development Courses with the highest standards in maritime and oceans education and training. WMU also has a highly respected research programme supported by specialized research groups across the maritime and ocean fields.

The WMU-Lloyd’s Register Foundation (LRF) Maritime Observatory has been created as a data, evidence and analytical hub established through a strategic partnership between WMU and LRF to strengthen the availability and use of data, evidence and insights related to maritime safety and sustainability to deliver studies related to the impact analysis of maritime safety and environmental issues of contemporary interest to support IMO decision making with evidence based considerations, and to enable the measuring of the impact of policies. The Observatory combines data analysis, evidence synthesis and impact-oriented analytical work to support decision-making and policy development. It is established in close cooperation with LRF’s Global Safety Evidence Centre.

1. Purpose of the Position

The Head of Data and Insights supports the development and implementation of the Maritime Observatory through advanced data science, analytics coordination, and production of technical outputs; and leads the technical operation of the observatory under the guidance of the Vice President (Strategic Initiatives).

The purpose of the Maritime Observatory is to ensure that global maritime safety standards and regulatory decisions are informed by the best available data, rigorous systematic evidence reviews, and clear communication of evidence to decision-makers, particularly within the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its Member States. This includes the development of data-driven insights and impact-oriented analytical work to support policy formulation and evaluation.

Working under the direction of the Vice-President (Strategic Initiatives), the incumbent establishes and manages the Observatory’s data infrastructure, analytical capacity and knowledge outputs combining data analysis, evidence synthesis and policy relevant insights.

The role contributes technical expertise to the development of WMU’s analytical capabilities and supports the integration of data, evidence and insights into the University’s research, academic and capacity-building activities.

2. Level of Responsibility / Accountability

The Head of Data and Insights manages the technical implementation of the WMU-LRF Maritime Observatory and its associated data, evidence and analytical activities under the strategic direction of the Vice-President (Strategic Initiatives).

The position is accountable for:

• Facilitating the implementation of the Observatory’s operational programme in alignment with the strategic priorities defined by the governing structure of the Observatory;

• Establishing and maintaining data infrastructure required for the collection, integration, management and analysis of maritime-related datasets;

• Managing a team of junior analysts and researchers contributing to the Observatory’s activities;

• Overseeing the development and quality assurance of analytical outputs and knowledge products;

• Ensuring that the Observatory’s work combines data analysis, evidence synthesis and impact oriented analytical work in support of maritime safety and sustainability;

• Managing programme resources within approved budgets and donor agreements;

• Ensuring compliance with institutional policies, grant requirements and UN administrative standards.

The incumbent provides technical advice to the Vice-President (Strategic Initiatives) and the governing structure of the Observatory on matters related to data analytics, evidence synthesis, impact assessments and emerging trends relevant to maritime safety and sustainability.

3. Enabling environment

The Head of Data and Insights operates within WMU’s Strategic Initiatives division and works closely with academic units, research groups, the Library and external partners involved in maritime and ocean research, data and evidence activities, and policy development.

The WMU-LRF Maritime Observatory functions as an institutional platform for the collection, integration and analysis of maritime and related ocean data, the synthesis of evidence, and the production of analytical insights relevant to governments, international organizations and maritime stakeholders.

The incumbent supervises a small team of staff and doctoral researchers and collaborates with faculty members and external experts contributing to the Observatory’s work.

The position operates in a collaborative international environment requiring engagement with academic institutions, policy organizations and industry stakeholders, including the translation of data and evidence into policy-relevant insights and support to decision-making processes.

4. Internal / External Focus of the Position

Internal

The Head of Data and Insights collaborates closely with:

• Vice-President (Strategic Initiatives) on programme development, work planning and alignment with institutional priorities;

• Director of Research and research groups to coordinate data, evidence and insights activities with WMU research programmes;

• Academic Dean, Director PhD Programme, Head of Specializations to facilitate student engagement in activities of the Observatory;

• Finance and administrative units on budget management, reporting and grant compliance;

• IT services on the development and maintenance of data infrastructure and analytical systems.

External

Externally, the incumbent liaises with:

• Lloyd’s Register Foundation and its Global Safety Evidence Centre regarding programme implementation, reporting and collaboration;

• International organizations including the International Maritime Organization and other UN agencies;

• Government agencies, maritime industry stakeholders and research institutions contributing to maritime data, evidence and analytical initiatives;

• Academic and policy networks involved in maritime safety and sustainability research.

The role represents WMU and the Observatory in professional exchanges, expert consultations and collaborative initiatives, including the communication of evidence and analytical insights to policy and decision-making audiences.

Summary of key functions:

1. Operational leadership of the Maritime Observatory

2. Development of data infrastructure and analytics capability

3. Production of insights, evidence and knowledge products

4. Partnership development and expert engagement

5. Team and programme management

1. Operational Leadership of the Observatory

Contributes to and coordinates the operational programme of the WMU-LRF Maritime Observatory in accordance with strategic priorities established by the Vice-President (Strategic Initiatives) and the governing structure of the Observatory.

Expected Results:

• Contributes to Operational work plans for the Observatory and implements in alignment with the Vice President (Strategic Initiatives), WMU strategic priorities and donor objectives and the agreed priorities of the Observatory.

• Provides advice to make sure that Observatory activities support the development of data, evidence and analytical insights relevant to maritime safety, related ocean issues and sustainability challenges.

• Mechanisms are established to monitor relevant safety data and evidence on a continuing basis and to communicate key findings in support of awareness, learning and informed decision-making.

• Monitors that programme activities and outputs are delivered in accordance with grant requirements, institutional priorities and agreed quality standards.

2. Development of Data Infrastructure and Analytics Capability

Designs, develops, maintains, enhances the technical infrastructure required for the collection, integration and analysis of maritime-related data, including the development of systems to support evidence synthesis and impact-oriented analysis.

Expected Results:

• Development and management of supporting data technical infrastructure to support the analytical activities, structured for scalability for partnerships and thematic areas.

• Data acquisition plans in place, including the blueprint for framework agreements, and defined approach for primary source collection and gender-disaggregated data.

• Data stewardship and data-sharing mechanisms established to enable secure, trusted, equitable and scalable access to maritime safety data for analysis, evidence development and collaboration.

• Analytics capability and processes established for the unit to move from data collection to finished knowledge products at a consistent quality standard, including inputs to evidence reviews and impact oriented analysis.
  

3. Production of Insights and Knowledge Products

Oversees the development and dissemination of analytical outputs that translate data into actionable insights, support evidence synthesis and contribute to impact-oriented analysis.

Expected Results:

• End-to-end oversight of the unit’s analytical output, ensuring quality, relevance and timeliness of all knowledge products, including evidence reviews and analytical insights.

• Established blueprint for knowledge products production, including formats for analytical outputs, evidence synthesis and policy-relevant communication.

• Fit for purpose insights, evidence products and impact-oriented analyses that serve the objectives of the Observatory and support decision-making.

• Programme of systematic evidence reviews established and implemented in collaboration with relevant partners and IMO stakeholders.

• Delivery of evidence summaries, policy briefs, dashboards and visualizations tailored to the needs of policy and decision-making audiences.

4. Partnership Development and Expert Engagement

Supports the Vice-President (Strategic Initiatives) in building networks of experts and stakeholders contributing to the Observatory’s activities.

Expected Results:

• Contributes to a core partnership network across relevant bodies (e.g., NGOs, industry, academia, governments) for data exchange, evidence development and expert collaboration.

• Contributes to partnership model development, enabling a systematic expansion in accordance with the strategic objectives of the Observatory.

• Engagement activities through roundtables, closed-door sessions and structured dialogues.

• Maintains the engagement with partners supports the identification of priority research questions and evidence needs relevant to maritime safety and sustainability policy development.

• Effective collaboration with key stakeholders, including LRF, the Global Safety Evidence Centre, IMO and related bodies, to ensure alignment of activities and relevance to policy processes.

5. Team and Programme Management

Leads the Observatory’s analytical team and ensures effective coordination of programme activities.

Expected Results:

• Participates in the recruitment, ensures the technical onboarding, mentoring and management of the unit’s junior analysts and researchers.

• Monitoring the delivery of the programme against defined milestones, budget and quality standards.

• Development of standard management reporting to ensure efficient and effective programme execution.

• Development of team’s core capabilities, including expertise in data analysis, evidence synthesis, impact assessment and policy-oriented communication, building an environment that attracts and retains talent.

Effective performance of the Head of Data and Insights strengthens WMU’s capacity to generate and disseminate high-quality evidence related to maritime safety, related ocean issues and sustainability, including gender equality and diversity.

The Maritime Observatory provides trusted data and analytical insights that support governments, international organizations and maritime stakeholders in evidence-based policy development and decision-making.

Through its evidence work, analytical outputs and collaborative engagement, the Observatory enhances the visibility of WMU research and contributes to strengthening the University’s role as a trusted knowledge partner in the maritime sector.

The incumbent works under overall supervision of the Vice-President . Receives broad guidance on priorities; exercises initiative in execution of assigned technical responsibilities.

The Vice-President provides strategic direction for the development of the Observatory and approves major programme initiatives, partnerships and resource allocations.

The incumbent provides regular updates on programme implementation, evidence synthesis, analytical outputs and stakeholder engagement activities.

Functional competence:

• Advanced expertise in data analytics, evidence synthesis and quantitative methods.

• Experience developing and managing digital infrastructures for datasets, analytical tools and dashboards.

• Knowledge of data governance, data management and analytical frameworks.

• Experience producing analytical reports and knowledge products for policy or research audiences.

• Understanding of maritime, oceans, gender and diversity, sustainability and related policy domains.
  

Managerial competencies:

• Ability to translate strategic objectives into operations of the Observatory.

• Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams of analysts and researchers.

• Experience managing externally funded research programmes and donor reporting.

• Ability to build partnerships across academic, policy and industry communities.

Behavioral competencies:

• Strategic thinking combined with pragmatic execution.

• Ability to work effectively and sensitively in international and multicultural environments.

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Initiative, adaptability and capacity to operate in evolving research environments