Programme Specialist (Data Sharing), P-3, 6 months, DAPM

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 140,639 USD and 184,155 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 newly established Office of the Chief Data Officer of the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM).

As part of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025 is to protect children – and UNICEF – through Governance of Data. Empowering and equipping heads of office to ensure the data collected and used by their office is:

• • Kept suitably private, is
  • Collected, shared and used ethically and responsibly, and of
  • suitable quality for the purpose to which it is put.

A responsible approach to data is essential in creating an environment that supports effective program delivery and innovation. Creating an environment that encourages innovation, uses data effectively to drive programming for children, and at the same time – ensures that children’s rights are at the centre of all of these discussions requires:

1. Building capacity in, and tools for the field (both within UNICEF and as a global public good) to identify, operationalize and support best practices; including the appropriate use of data to drive change for children.
2. Addressing our own activities around data protection, use, and sharing – reflecting the responsible data for children (RD4C) principles in our own work and in our partnerships with other agencies.
3. Improving our understanding of the risks and opportunities related to data in relation to new and emerging data technologies and applications.

In addition, through a two-year blueprint for joint action, UNICEF and UNHCR aim to transform the quality of life for refugee children and their families. The agencies have committed to working together, through a Joint Data Working Group, to identify and develop tangible solutions to data challenges in pilot countries, and to strengthen coordination and collaboration on data-related issues.

How can you make a difference?

We’re in search of a talented team player who will help us build the foundation for this work to equip and 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 responsible collection and use of data at UNICEF and beyond and who can take on new challenges as they arise.

Under the guidance of the Chief Data Governance and Strategy, and cooperating & coordination closely with other units in the Data & Analytics Section, the Programme Specialist (Data Sharing), will engage closely with UNICEF staff and other partners to:

• Support development of global tools and guidance on ethical data sharing
• Build capacity and provide technical support to colleagues in the field on ethical data sharing
• Support UNICEF’s partnerships on ethical data sharing

You’re someone who will bring in expertise in ethical data sharing to help drive UNICEF’s work on data governance forward. You are comfortable around a wide variety of data topics and development partners. You love working in a fast-paced environment, closely working with other teams in the division, and are ready to manage a wide range of tasks at the same time. You’re a 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 deliver results for children across the world.

Summary of results-based key functions/accountabilities

Under the guidance of the Chief Data Governance and Strategy, the Programme Specialist (Data Sharing), will engage closely with UNICEF staff and other partners to:

1. Support development of global tools and guidance on ethical data sharing

• Identify and evaluate how improved data sharing could address critical data gaps for children and strengthen the overall quality of UNICEF’s programming in development and humanitarian contexts
• Support the development of UNICEF polices and templates for data sharing
• Support the integration of ethical data sharing into UNICEF’s framework and guidance for Data Governance
• Support the rollout of UNICEF data quality framework

2. Build capacity and provide technical support to colleagues in the field on ethical data sharing

• Provide technical guidance to queries from UNICEF colleagues on ethical data sharing, e.g. queries coming through the UNICEF Evidence Helpdesk.
• Document key lessons/ case studies in relation to data sharing needs and practices
• Develop and maintain a repository of Data Sharing (and relevant) resources on the Data for Children SharePoint intranet site
• Organize webinars and trainings on ethical data sharing for colleagues across UNICEF, bringing in relevant speakers and practical examples

3. Support UNICEF’s partnerships development

• In close coordination with other D&A teams, support the development of a data sharing agreement and guidance between UNICEF and UNHCR as part of the Blueprint Joint Action, in line with UNICEF mandates and data needs, RD4C principles, and to promote consistency and predictability across sectors and systems, including a particular focus on child protection data systems.
• Support discussions with other UN agencies on UN system wide guidance and agreements on ethical data sharing
• Support alignment of UNICEF’s work on data governance with the UN Data Strategy

4. Support to fundraising

• Support fundraising efforts, including outreach and communication to new and existing donors and development of fundraising materials.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in research, including statistics, international law, research ethics, or related field 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 five (5) years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong experience in data governance, data sharing, data protection and/or data ethics required
• International and developing country work experience (for IP); national or field work experience (for NO) required;
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, excellent written and communication skills, sensitivity to working in a multicultural environment required;
• Country office experience with UNICEF or another UN entity required.
• Background/familiarity with emergency programming highly valued;
• A solid understanding of UNICEF's core areas of work and familiarity with the UN statistical community;
• 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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