Junior Consultancy, Parline database national parliaments

Junior Consultancy, Parline database on national parliaments

Background

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments. and has published various comparative data on all national parliaments in the world via the Parline database since 1996. In April 2024, the IPU launched a redeveloped version of Parline that offers a new data model and additional tools such as the Data explorer , API and Data dictionary .

Parline comprises some 650 data points for each parliamentary chamber in the world where there is a functioning parliament. About 70 data points relate to parliamentary elections, while others provide insight into the annual activities of parliaments, including their working methods, administration, composition, parliamentary mandate, and law-making, oversight and budget powers. The data is widely used and referenced by parliaments, researchers, journalists, civil society, international organizations and the IPU Secretariat.

Notably, the IPU’s flagship Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments and data on the sex/age of Speakers, committee chairs and members are used to monitor Sustainable Development Goal targets 5.5 and 16.7 and reported annually to the United Nations.

Data is collected from parliaments themselves – notably through the network of Parline correspondents – based on questionnaires, and via desk research using authoritative sources (e.g. election commissions, parliamentary websites, etc.).

Various teams at the IPU form a group of Parline stakeholders, each focusing on areas such as youth, human rights, gender equality, communications and Member relations.

The junior consultant will cover the maternity leave of the Parline data officer to carry out desk research, ensure quality control and input data. Other tasks may include preparing datasets or infographics for IPU publications, events and social media (e.g. Assemblies and the 30th anniversary of Parline), as well as testing technical developments/enhancements. He/she will work under the supervision of the Senior Parliamentary Researcher in the IPU’s Resource Centre.

Accountabilities

Within delegated authority, the junior consultant will support the operation of the IPU’s Parline database and related activities, contributing to the collection, quality control and dissemination of parliamentary data. The junior consultant will:

• Collect, manage and process data, ensuring quality control of the questionnaires on annual activities and post-election questionnaires, and follow up with parliaments
• Maintain a tracking file indicating the status of data collection
  
  Follow up queries related to the reporting on SDG 16.7.1
  
  Monitor and evaluate Parline KPIs
• Maintain the membership list of the Parline Correspondent network
  
  Assist with the collection, review and updating of parliamentary and election-related data
• Collaborate with team members and stakeholders to promote and enhance the Parline database for its 30th anniversary in 2026
• Contribute to data visualizations and reports for publications and IPU events such as the IPU Assembly
• Prepare documentation for public users and IPU stakeholders
• Contribute to the promotion of Parline among target user groups
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of the roadmap for Parline’s future development, in particular Parline’s homepage
• Carry out testing related to Parline’s future development
  
  Provide general support for Parline-related activities and parliamentary data as needed.
• New data on annual activities and post-election reports is collected and inputted in Parline after quality control
• Requests relating to the reporting on SDG 16.7.1 are completed
• Tracking file on the status of data collection is updated
• List of Parline Correspondents is maintained
• Communications with parliaments are saved appropriately in the electronic archive
• Data visualization work related to IPU events, in particular the 30th anniversary of Parline, is submitted
• Parline home page content is updated
• Parline stakeholder activities are supported

Requirements

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Currently studying Masters’ degree or above in political science, public policy, international…