Information Management – Data Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. We had three years to complete our work and then disband.

Today, over 70 years later, our organization is still hard at work, protecting and assisting refugees around the world.

Since the onset of military hostilities in neighboring Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the world has witnessed the world’s fastest growing refugee crisis since World War II, with Romania receiving a significant proportion of newly-arriving refugees. As of mid August 2023, over 2,5 million refugees entered into Romania and over 94,000 refugees from Ukraine are currently residing within Romania. Romania is/remains an important entry country for refugees from Ukraine – both as a destination and transit country. The Government of Romania’s (GoR) immediately activated its refugee response. UNHCR is supporting the Government of Romania through the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP). The RRP is a plan, led by UNHCR, that brings together 34 (appealing) partners -UN agencies, international NGOs and national NGOs – around a common vision/set of strategic objectives to respond to the refugee situation in Romania. To implement the RRP in Romania, the Refugee Coordination Model (RCM) was established in March 2022 composed of a variety of working groups and task teams, including on Protection, Basic Needs, Health, etc., together with sub-groups on Child Protection, Mental Health and Psychosocial support, Information Management and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

Dozens of organizations, CSOs and NGOs are supporting the refugee response in Romania with a wide variety of activities and services. The purpose of the UNV position is to support the mapping of these services in a geo-referenced platform (Service Advisor: https://romania.servicesadvisor.net/en) designed to connect people in need with a wide range of services provided by humanitarian actors, as well as key public services.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Associate Information Management Officer, and in close cooperation with the Inter Agency Coordination Structure Leads, the UNV Service Mapping Implementation Assistant will:

• Lead data gathering processes of services being implemented by different stakeholders in Romania to be uploaded on Services Advisor (Service Advisor) • Support translation efforts of data and services gathered to ensure timely upload of services to Services Advisor • Provide trainings and awareness sessions on Services Advisor for stakeholders seeking to make use of the platform (Online and in person) • Liaise with sector leads to conduct data collection exercises on specific topics • Identify, contact and liaise with stakeholders conducting service mapping exercises to harmonize information and bring them into the platform. • Follow up with the Services Advisor provider to ensure that suggested changes are successfully implemented, if needed • Contribute to the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of Services Advisor engagement with refugees through digital channels and make recommendations on how to improve this engagement. • Regularly update and share information related to ongoing work in Services Advisor, utilizing agreed data collection methods to identify gaps, assess trends and developments. • Maintain frequent coordination with the UNHCR Hotline and AAP systems to identify how to better adapt the platform to be user friendly for refugees • Implement a vetting system to ensure that all organizations on the platform are legitimate to minimize risks to users. • Manage social media campaigns in coordination with the UNHCR protection team and communication team. • Liaise with other social media stakeholders at the social level to ensure that they are promoting the use of services advisor. • Maintain permanent coordination and collaboration with the Communication with Communities refugee volunteers based in the field offices to ensure coherent messaging and coordinated response. • Contribute to age, gender and diversity mainstreaming in all of UNHCR Romania’s activities; • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote and utilize the UNV Online Volunteering service providing themselves and their organizations with flexible, free of charge, Online Volunteer capacity to support their efforts. Information and promotional material can be found in the onsite kit (https://undp.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/UNVknowledgeMng/EvLAeVwabKZNpn3EhhZU8BgBSEOup9oSt4eQBAku6_aNXA?e=VQOLXS).

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o A Services Advisor platform (Service Advisor: https://romania.servicesadvisor.net/en) populated with services of all RRP partners, UNHCR Implementing Partners, among other organizations o A homogenized database containing services that are identified through service mapping exercises conducted by other agencies and units. o At least one report every three months, including a presentation to the Inter Sector Working Group on the results achieved to date. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age;commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • 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; • 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; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

community engagement, digital content promotion, conducting training, or other relevant programmes at the national and/or international level working professionally, or having demonstrated ad hoc experience;
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation and editing skills for diverse social media channels • Strong capacity to work with individuals from different ages, genders and backgrounds • Accuracy and professionalism in producing interactive multi-media content • 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 digital literacy • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in working with refugees and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Desired:

• Previous experience working with civil society groups, non-Governmental Organizations, charities, the UN or other international development organization . is considered a strong asset. • Previous experience in project management is considered a strong asset. • Knowledge of Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic or Romani is considered a strong asset. • Knowledge of social media platforms including Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok is considered and asset • Experience in maintaining social media channels and managing online communities is considered an asset • Experience with Community Based Organisations and participatory methods is an asset • Experience with conducting workshops and presentations in Romanian and/or English • Knowledge or User Experience (UX) is considered a strong asset. • Any coding or software development experience is an asset

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine in accordance with UNHCR’s Administrative Instruction on Covid-19 Vaccination and related Safety Measures. Exceptions may be granted on medical grounds. In exceptional circumstances, the recruitment may be completed on the condition that vaccination is obtained within a specified time.

Application to this assignment is exclusively open to individuals residing in Romania, with availability to travel up to15% of the time.

Romania is located in a temperate climate zone having 4 seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter). Winters are becoming milder with average temperatures around -2 centigrade on average during the daytime. Summers are hot, occasionally reaching around 35 centigrade, especially in July and August. Bucharest is a safe metropolitan city, however as in any other city caution and good judgement shall be exercised.

Accommodation is relatively easy to find although more challenging in the last few months; short-, mid- and long-term. The city offers a wide range of hotels, Airbnb, long term rents, etc in areas not immediately neighbouring UNHCR Office. Accommodation can be fixed using the services of property agencies but online solutions are also numerous.

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

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.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). For information specific to your assignment please see below:

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): RON 6414 Entry lump sum (one time payment) USD 400 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): RON 500 Medical and life insurance Cigna Private Insurance

Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified sick leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days