Associate Operations Data Management Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Since December 2013, the internal conflict that arose in South Sudan has devastated the lives of millions of South Sudanese and displaced more than 4 million people. About 1.9 million of them have been displaced internally and over 2 Million are refugees in neighboring countries. In response to the needs of the displaced, UNHCR initiated its protection and assistance programme, within the UN system-wide cluster approach primarily in the areas of Protection, Shelter/NFI and Camp Coordination and Camp Management, with further search for possible solutions for those displaced returning to their homes and/or their ancestral lands or relocations.

In addition to engagement in protection activities in the Protection of Civilian Sites that host approximately 220,000(12%) of the IDP populations, UNHCR protection strategy in 2018 aims at prioritizing protection activities in IDP locations outside POCs and enhancing outreach activities through standardized protection monitoring activities and constantly engaging IDP women, men, girls and boys to map out protection risks and responses to building their resilience/capacities to mitigate the risks. UNHCR protection and solutions strategy will entail working with Government and partners within the inter-agency system towards the formulation of robust context specific protection and solutions strategies that will guide interventions in those locations and optimize opportunities for solutions.

To achieve the above, UNHCR needs an Assoc. Operations Data Management Officer (ODM) to support UNHCR agency operations in South Sudan. The Operations Data Management Officer will serve to strengthen UNHCR data collection, consolidation, analysis and report to inform UNHCR programming. UNHCR ODM will thus serve to provide necessary support to the UNHCR operations and engagement with other actors, including Government of South Sudan represented by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RCC) in systematic collection and analysis of data on the populations.

South Sudan is a hardship duty station, which is classified as a non-family duty station as there are only basic infrastructure in the capital city Juba and the country. The operational context will include deep field activities, including in areas of shifting civil conflict. Strong, stable, mature and flexible character is required.

Under the direct supervision of the Operations Data Management Officer, the Associate Operations Data Management Officer supports data and information management activities in South Sudan. More specifically the Associate Operations Data Management Officer will:

 Respond and manage user access permissions for UNHCR staff, local government, and NGO partners to global applications in accordance with the policies and standards, including the Data Protection Policy and regional or local country data protection protocols.  Assist in designing and developing standard reports, templates, and forms, while ensuring consistency with global guidance and policies, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.  Identify, diagnose, and escalate for the resolution of technical user errors, bugs and queries related to UNHCR core applications on persons of concern data and other operational data systems, in consultation Associate ODM Officer, external developers and support teams.  Contribute to the capacity building and guidance of technical users, training to all enumerators on RMS Survey tools, methodology.  Monitor user management and conduct regular clean-up of user accounts on KOBO/database and access permissions in accordance with relevant guidance and procedures of the applications and systems under his/her responsibility.  Monitor device and user management within local client and field server solutions, including monitoring frequency of data synchronization to prevent and mitigate data loss.  Analyze and respond to user requests and queries, including compilation and assessment of applications enhancements and change requests.  Assist with data quality assessment, data clean-up and data mapping from legacy or external database systems to the applications, as required.  Conduct data collection audits as required.  Conduct field testing of new functionalities within respective applications, as required.  Support the design and strengthening of operational reports and statistics, including provision of training and user guidance.  Keep apprised of evolving technology and new business needs to support operational data management systems.  Provide business analysis for operational needs.  Conduct mission/travel in the field to support field teams on data collection or for other troubleshooting.  Project site monitoring in an MFT (RMS).  Perform other related duties as and when required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:  Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);  Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;  Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;  Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;  Promote capacity development activities and transfer of skills to national personnel during the assignment;  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;  Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs:  Assist in designing and developing standard reports, templates, and forms, while ensuring consistency with global guidance and policies, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.  Identify, diagnose, and escalate for the resolution of technical user errors, bugs and queries related to UNHCR core applications on persons of concern data and other operational data systems, in consultation Associate ODM Officer, external developers and support teams.  Contribute to the capacity building and guidance of technical users, training to all enumerators on RMS Survey tools, methodology.  Monitor user management and conduct regular clean-up of user accounts on KOBO/database and access permissions in accordance with relevant guidance and procedures of the applications and systems under his/her responsibility.

 Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.  Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.  Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.  Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.  Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;  Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;  Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;  Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

MS Excel, SQL, Databases, R-scripting, Power-BI, Adobe Illustrator or other relevant programmes; • Professional job experience such as experience in registration including use of UNHCR progress software in refugee operation. • Experience with emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, humanitarian/development environment, field coordination, is an asset. • Excellent oral and written skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated - ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Have affinity with or interest in Humanitarian coordination, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Note on novel coronavirus – COVID-19. The rapidly changing nature of novel coronavirus COVID-19 has placed significant and increasing restrictions on the freedom of movement of people, even within countries. Such restrictions may affect the ability of UN Volunteers to begin their assignments at their assigned duty station or limit the ability to enter UN premises. Thus, UNV cannot guarantee assignments will proceed as normal. Candidates for UN Volunteer assignments requiring travel to the duty station may be exceptionally granted during this period alternative working arrangements to work from their place of recruitment until restrictions are lifted. Candidates for UN Volunteer assignments may also need to begin their assignments remotely in cases where access to UN premises is restricted. These are decisions at the discretion of the host entity. Candidates proceeding to interview are recommended to discuss travel requirements, any restrictions, and possible alternative arrangements with the host entity. If selected, candidates should carefully consider the circumstances before accepting UNV’s offer.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly.