Beneficiary Data Specialist (CASH assistance) - Slovakia, Ukraine Emergency Response, Consultancy

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

More information about what we do in Slovakia is available at UNICEF Slovakia

For every child, a calling.

On 24 February 2022, Russian forced began a military operation in Ukraine. In the weeks since this war began, 7.1 million people, including up to 2.8 million children, have been internally displaced and over 4.5 million have fled to neighboring countries seeking protection and safety. The European Union acted quickly to pass a Temporary Protection Directive which provides extended visa-free stay for Ukrainian refugees in EU Member States and access (to varying degrees) to critical services such as health, education, and social protection. In Slovakia, where UNICEF has now formally established a presence and office, the government is seeking support to provide financial assistance to refugee populations while the refugee caseload is being absorbed into the national system. To support the management of the cash transfer registration system (HOPE) and lead on beneficiary data management of the temporary cash response, UNICEF’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia is looking for Beneficiary Data Manager.

The Beneficiary Data Officer will report to the Social Policy Specialist overseeing the cash assistance programme.

The government of Slovakia and UNHCR co-lead a Cash Working Group (CWG) which has been established to design and implement a humanitarian cash response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis. To date, this CWG has agreed on some key parameters of the response, including the types of benefits to be provided, the amounts for cash assistance, and (to an extent) the registration process and distribution of the case load. Based on those agreement, several stakeholders including UNICEF have been since June distributing cash assistance on a monthly basis.

This cash assistance requires to share data between UNHCR and UNICEF, as well as UNICEF and the payment service provider. To ensure that the system is effectively managed and properly functioning, a Beneficiary Data Specialist is needed.

The Beneficiary Data Specialist will be responsible to uphold UNICEF Data Protection Policy while delivering timely beneficiary data management services to Slovakia Social Policy programmes.

How can you make a difference?

• Risk informed project plans reflect Data Protection risks and mitigation measures
• Beneficiary personal data are stored and maintained up to date to ensure timely delivery of cash assistance to recipients
• UNICEF Data Protection Policy and Information security standards are upheld
• The Beneficiary Data management team is provided with exemplary leadership and management.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Social Policy Specialist, the beneficiary data specialist will lead all activities related to the launch of the beneficiary database and troubleshooting for any issues during the period immediately following the launch. This includes:

1. Personal Data Services Management
   1. Provide guidance and oversight for the adequate use of HOPE for UNICEF and partners
   2. Escalate to management risks related to personal data management
   3. Provide oversight of personal data use for efficient and effective delivery of individual payments / cash transfers
   4. Coordinate with interagency counterpart’s data interoperability initiatives
2. Data Management representation function
   1. Coordinate with HQ HOPE team on prioritized support
   2. Represent data management function with external stakeholders including de facto authorities
3. Reporting and Third-Party Monitoring
   1. Provide technical oversight on the ToRs of the Third-Party Monitoring, assessment of technical proposal based on agreed criteria, and selection of the third party for verification of existing payees’ lists
   2. Draft Process and output monitoring report based on data available in HOPE and TPM sources
4. Data Protection Standards
   1. Ensure that Personal Data management workstream is aligned with UNICEF Data Protection Policy
   2. Coordinate with HQ technical counterparts to ensure:
   3. Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) are carried out with appropriate frequency on supported programmes
   4. UNICEF partners are trained on Data Protection and Responsible Data for Children principles
   5. UNICEF CSO and private sector partners comply with relevant data protection legal tools such as Non-Disclosure Agreements
   6. Timely implementation of DPIA recommendations
   7. Ensure timely arrangement and signature of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with UNICEF’s implementing partners, financial service providers and other entities who will require access to personally-identifiable information on UNICEF beneficiaries

5. Data Processing and Analysis

6. Write, manage, and update scripts in python and other relevant language to consolidate, parse, clean and prepare external personal data sources for import in HOPE

7. Consolidate different data sources such as KoBo registration surveys, RapidPro surveys, payment records in CashAssist, post-distribution monitoring (PDM) surveys and other monitoring data (such as market monitoring, grievance and feedback data, etc.) for the purpose of data analysis and data comparison, including longitudinal comparisons
8. Perform advanced statistical analysis for report writing
9. Detect individual record flagged as error upon import in HOPE and perform adequate correction based on programmatic instructions

Spot check and ensure quality of data stored in HOPE and in other digital platform for the case of programmatic non personal data.

Required qualification and experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Information Technology, Economics, Social Science or related field is required. Bachelor's degree complemented with relevant industry certifications and work experience can be considered.

Experience:

5 years of professional work experience of data management or humanitarian program/project management experience. Experience in emergency contexts highly desirable.

Knowledge and skills

• Minimum 5 years of program/project management experience, including with multiple stakeholders
• Experience in implementing humanitarian cash transfers programme
• Experience in Beneficiary Data system for humanitarian cash transfer at field level
• Experience in business operation environments with a proven track record of interfacing with multiple stakeholders (internal and external) and successful project completion.
• Experience in working with UN agencies or NGO (UNICEF experience preferred) at interagency level
• Detailed knowledge of the Project Lifecycle and fluency in project management methodologies.
• Experience collaborating across multiple functions and working with operational subject matter experts, technical resources and architecture teams.
• Excellent communication & presentation skills (written & verbal) across multiple audiences with the ability to influence others while working in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• High motivation, and dedication to deliver results within strict timeframes.
• Experience supervising data management staff

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English as a working language.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: . Competency Framework Brochure (New).pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.