Programme Specialist (Responsible Data for Children), P-3, DAPM, New York, United States

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, a chance

Strategic office context:

A responsible approach to data is essential in creating an environment that supports effective program delivery and innovation. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of data in responding to not only the immediate pandemic, but also understanding the secondary and long-term impacts on children and their families. In response to this demand, we have seen a rapid increase in the use of new data technologies, data sharing arrangements and partnerships, and new data collections in member states. Additionally, we have also seen growing awareness in the risks associated with these data collections, the potential for discrimination or differential access due to biases in algorithms or in the capabilities of the technologies themselves (here), and increased public scrutiny and uncertainty in who has access to data on children and individuals and what they are able to do with it. These changes come on top of an already rapidly changing data landscape at both the global and national level. Digitization, identity management systems, and new platforms have made it easier than ever to collect, store and link data on children.

This role is placed in UNICEF’s Data Governance and Strategy Unit within the Office of the Chief Data Officer in the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring. The Data Governance and Strategy Unit aims to protect children – and UNICEF – through Governance of Data by empowering and equipping UNICEF staff and offices to ensure the data collected and used is protected against harming children:

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

The Responsible Data for Children program in UNICEF commenced in 2018 as a means of building stronger practical support to country offices and field partners on how to collect, manage and use data on children both safely and effectively; and to provide a “public good” to advocate for responsible use of children’s’ data more broadly. The work built on previous guidelines developed by UNICEF in the child protection space – responding to an identified need for a broader, more flexible approach that included how UNICEF interacts with and influences both field partners and governments across the breadth of our work; and a substantive gap in the public discussions on data use in relation to the specific issues related to data on children. The work has been taken forward to date through a partnership with the GovLAB at New York University; which has undertaken the field work, development of case studies and guidance tools, and the design and maintenance of a public facing web site and resource repository (www.rd4c.org). A key product of phase one of the partnership was the development and release of key principles on the responsible use of data. Phase two of this work will focus on both institutionalizing the RD4C principles within UNICEF data processes, and a continued & strengthened collaboration with GovLAB to develop, test and support practical solutions in the field.

Purpose for the job:

Under the guidance of the Chief Data Governance and Strategy, the RD4C Specialist, will engage closely with UNCIEF staff, GovLab and other partners to support the following elements:

• Facilitate and coordinate technical support to mainstream RD4C principles and tools across UNICEF’s programme areas
• Capacity building at global, regional, and country level
• Management of partnerships for fundraising and mainstreaming RD4C across UNICEF and with partners
• Support and ensure integration of RD4C in UNICEF’s Data Governance workstream
• Support RD4C steering committee and coordinate UNICEF inputs into work plans

In addition to the participation of global, regional, and country related events, some other data related support may be required.

How can you make a difference?

1. Provide substantive technical support, undertake research, and coordinate input to improve the integration of RD4C principles and tools into routine UNICEF work practices:

• Mapping document of RD4C tools against internal UNICEF use cases.
• Guidance (and web links) on the use of RD4C within UNICEF process documents.
• Adapted material/ content for data landscape and maturity model documents.
• Support to reviewing Country Office data landscape and action plan documents as relevant.

2. Establish new and manage partnerships for fundraising and mainstreaming RD4C principles and practices globally

• Manage partnership with GovLAB to develop training materials, case studies, webinars and other support material for UNICEF staff and field partners to mainstream RD4C principles and practices.
• Support fundraising efforts for RD4C workstreams from current and new public and private sector partners, including identifying potential partners and development of funding proposals for RD4C workstreams at global, regional and country level.

3. Provide secretariat support to the RD4C Steering committee and coordinate UNICEF contributions to the ongoing workplans and deliverables.

• Organize regular meetings in line with the TORS and workplan deadlines and provide secretariat support to the Steering committee (including minutes, routine briefings for senior staff, funding proposals, and reporting etc.).
• Build and maintain a strong network of communication with key regional staff on RD4C issues.
• Provide support to field activities and coordination to ensure broad UNICEF engagement and input into RD4C field activities (case studies, research, capacity building and tool development etc.).
• Develop and deploy develop an appropriate M&E framework to evaluate the impact of the work, including changes in attitudes, knowledge, and practice.

4. Support and ensure integration of RD4C in UNICEF’s Data Governance workstream:

• Contributions to the mapping of roles and accountabilities at global, regional, and country level.
• Contributions to the design and training of data stewards at UNICEF.
• Contributions to the development of tools and templates to strengthen data governance
• Contributions to partnership development and resource mobilization efforts for UNICEF’s Data Governance workstream

5. Support the UNICEF Data Advisory council, with development of relevant background materials and discussion notes.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in research, including demography, economics, or statistics. statistics, research ethics, sectoral data systems, or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in data ethics, responsible data, or related fields.
• Strong experience working with data collection, including administrative data systems and government functions. This should include system design, evaluation, functional identity and data linkage, and data use.
• Proven research skills (including qualitative analysis and study design) and demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications and/or technical publication.
• Experience formulating guidance documents and tools.
• Strong experience in training or advocacy on data related issues.
• A solid understanding of UNICEF's core areas of work and familiarity with the UN statistical community
• 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) and core competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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

The functional competencies are:

• Relating and Networking
• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Persuading and Influencing
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Planning and Organizing

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:

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.