Programme Officer (Country Support), P-2, DAPM

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 108,633 USD and 147,551 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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.

For every child, inspiration

At UNICEF, we believe that smart demand, supply and use of data helps us drive better results for children. By asking the right questions, collecting and analyzing data can help us understand the experience of every child. And when the right data are in the right hands at the right time, decisions can be better informed, more equitable, and more likely to protect children’s rights.

The Data Governance and Strategy team is working to generate a profound cultural shift toward this vision - from connecting teams and individuals around the world to the right people, resources and answers to help them do their data work, to supporting countries build and strengthen processes to collect quality data to better deliver services for children and to report on their progress. We sit in the Office of the Chief Data Officer of the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM). Our work is in line with the Data for Children Strategic Framework, UNICEF’s commitment to identify and act upon the most strategic data investments for children in the coming decade.

How can you make a difference?

We’re in search of a talented team player who will help us scale up the groundwork we’ve put in place to connect UNICEF colleagues around the world with the tools and resources they need to do data work better. We’re looking for someone who will help us advocate for the use of data at UNICEF and beyond and who can take on new challenges as they arise.

You’re someone who is comfortable around a wide variety of data topics and development sectors. You’re able to grasp complex issues rapidly and translate them into simple, intuitive content for your user. You love working in a fast-paced environment and are ready to manage a wide range of tasks at the same time. You’re a quick learner, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented, and you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and work collaboratively as part of a team that’s helping to solve some of the toughest challenges facing children today.

Summary of results-based key functions/accountabilities

1. Analyzing common challenges and lessons from, UNICEF data practitioners in the field

The Data Strategy and Governance team is transforming UNICEF’s data helpdesk into an organization-wide evidence help desk, designed to channel support requests to experts across the organization and to identify recurring needs. In addition to providing direct support to colleagues through the helpdesk, you’ll be responsible for regularly monitoring and analyzing incoming requests and staying abreast of data work across the organization. This will require collaboration with other helpdesk focal points in the Office of Research, Technology for Development (T4D) team in ICTD, and the Office of Evaluation.

In addition, based on analysis of helpdesk queries and engagement with colleagues in the field, you’ll help the team identify frequently found challenges, recommend priority areas for scale-up and investment, and provide regular analytical reports to the team on these topics.

2. Identifying and developing practical solutions to meet those needs

Knowing what our offices and their partners need is the first step; you’ll also lead the second step -- developing the solutions for those common challenges and opportunities. This may involve work such as developing rosters of skilled consultants in a particular area, researching existing guidance from other UN agencies, or starting new partnerships to help UNICEF offices do their data work better. This area of work requires both creative thinking up front as well as attention to detail to get final, practical products delivered.

Your work will also help shape UNICEF’s global framing of support to country offices and UNICEF’s role in strengthening national data systems for children, including in humanitarian situations.

3. Building a data savvy culture in UNICEF

You will support the Knowledge Exchange function in the team, aimed at enhancing a culture of data savvy in UNICEF. This includes documenting stories from the field, engagement with UNICEF’s Data for Children community through SharePoint, Yammer, Newsletters and other platforms. Spanning all these areas of work, you’ll be working closely with all members of the Data Strategy and Governance team to support the unit in efficiently managing its budget, recruiting the right talent to support our work, and building the capacity of the larger data community. As a team member, you’ll also be expected (and encouraged!) to help us push the boundaries of our work, whether by bringing us better ways of working, new ideas, or different views on our existing portfolio.

Lastly, you are expected to contribute to fundraising efforts for UNICEF’s global data for children work.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in a data related field, international development, public policy, or another area relevant to the work outlined above is required. *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience is required, including evidence of project management, strategic planning, and/or policy support work.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills is required.
• Exceptional writing skills and an ability to write about key data and statistical concepts in an accurate and compelling manner are required.
• Additional expertise in a discipline related to working with data (such as design work, data visualization, data privacy + ethics issues, analysis, data science, or web development) is valued and should be highlighted in the application materials.
• Experience in data analysis, and working with large data sets is an asset
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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:

Duties may be performed remotely.

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