Associate Operational Data Management Officer at UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The UNHCR Data Transformation Strategy 2020-2025 envisions that by 2025 UNHCR becomes a trusted leader on data and information related to refugees and other persons of concern, thereby enabling actions to protect and to empower persons of concern. The Strategy stipulates investing in four complementary priority areas: data management and governance; information systems; capacities and skill development; and culture for evidence-informed decision-making. The strategy envisages data and information management functions in UNHCR carried out in a complementary and inter-linked manner between Headquarters Divisions and Services, Regional Bureaux, country operations and key external partners, including persons of concern.
An important element is the establishment of Data, Identity Management and Analysis (DIMA) units in all Regional Bureaux and potentially corresponding units in country operation, led by a senior staff to ensure that UNHCR has a capacity to produce, in line with global standards, quality data, information products, conduct region-level analysis, guide registration and identity management, and advise on responsible and effective data use at country- and regional-levels.
Operational data includes the following: population and demographic statistics, case management information, assessment results, situational analysis, protection incidents, vulnerability and risks, and programme response plans, delivery and implementation. It will be both sectoral data and inter- and intra-sectoral data. Systems that manage operational data include registration systems, sectoral monitoring systems, protection and programme monitoring systems, biometrics and identity management systems, case management systems and other data management approaches such as profiling and household surveys that manage the types of data defined above.
The Associate Operational Data Management Officer (AODMO) supports the operational data systems and activities that fall under the responsibility of the respective country, regional or global entities. S/He functions under the supervision of the DIMA Coordinator/Senior Information Management Officer /Senior Registration and Identity Management Officer /Operational Data Management Officer or as delegated. The AODMO liaises closely with the relevant technical units at the country, region or headquarters level for technical guidance on data and application management. The AODMO is closely collaborating with the headquarters technical division responsible for information systems and technology to ensure that global standards relating to operational data systems, including systems that process personal data of the persons of concern, meet the UNHCR global standards, including data security.
The Associate Operational Data Management Officer supports data-related activities conducted in the core applications, whether conducted by UNHCR, partners or Governments. The incumbent will provide high-quality, user-focused support services to UNHCR field operations and partners, in line with agreed standards and objectives. S/he also supports and implements provision of user access to systems and applications in accordance with data protection protocols. The incumbent supports building reports, templates and forms out of the operational data systems, including refugee registration and case management systems.
As delegated, the Associate Operational Data Management Officer coordinates closely with information management, registration and other functions in the Field, relevant sector leads, the Regional Bureaux and relevant Divisions in Headquarters to promote regional and global consistency in operational data management, including registration, population data and personal data. The incumbent may closely work with partners, including Government users of UNHCR applications.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Manage the use, maintenance and technical support of core operational data applications, including systems that manage refugee registration and identity management, including overseeing the quality of data collection and ensuring consistency with standards and guidelines.
• Perform database administrator functions in relation to local field server machines that contain operational data, and refugee and other persons of concern data.
• Respond and manage user access permissions for UNHCR staff, local government and NGO partners to global applications in accordance with the policies and standards, including the Data Protection Policy and regional or local country data protection protocols.
• Assist in designing and developing standard reports, templates and forms, while ensuring consistency with global guidance and policies, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including business module owners.
• Identify, diagnose and escalate for the resolution of technical user errors, bugs and queries related to UNHCR core applications on persons of concern data and other operational data systems, in consultation with headquarters, external developers and support teams.
• Contribute to the capacity building and guidance of technical users and administrators.
• Monitor user management and conduct regular clean-up of user accounts and access permissions in accordance with relevant guidance and procedures of the applications and systems under his/her responsibility.
• Monitor device and user management within local client and field server solutions, including monitoring frequency of data synchronization to prevent and mitigate data loss.
• Analyse and respond to user requests and queries, including compilation and assessment of applications enhancements and change requests.
• Assist with data quality assessment, data clean-up and data mapping from legacy or external database systems to the applications, as required.
• Conduct data collection audits as required.
• Conduct field testing of new functionalities within respective applications, as required.
• Support the design and strengthening of operational reports and statistics, including provision of training and user guidance.
• Support discussions and definitions of business requirements for interoperability of local tools and applications within the core applications, in consultation with business owners and relevant governance structures.
• Keep apprised of evolving technology and new business needs to support operational data management systems, including registration, identity and population data management in the country operations;
• Provide business analysis for operational needs.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Computer Science Information Technology Economics
Statistics Social Science or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Excellent computer skills, particularly in data management. Technical expertise in registration, operational data management and individual case management. Knowledge of SQL or Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Knowledge of UNHCR data standards and procedures.
Desirable:
Previous experience in registration or individual case management, including use of UNHCR proGres and/or BIMS software. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.