Data Manager

The Centre for Humanitarian Data is focused on increasing the use and impact of data in humanitarian response. It is managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and is based in The Hague, the Netherlands. The Centre’s vision is to create a future where everyone involved in a humanitarian emergency has access to the data they need, when and how they need it, to make responsible and informed decisions. Our support is provided to OCHA staff and partners, with a priority focus on locations with humanitarian operations. The Centre focuses on four workstreams: data services, data science, data responsibility, and learning and practice.

The data services workstream is the engine room of the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) platform, a critical component of the Centre’s value proposition. The goal of the HDX is to make humanitarian data easy to find and use for analysis. Launched in July 2014 with just 800 datasets shared by a dozen organizations, HDX is now an anchor in the open data ecosystem, bringing together over 20,000 datasets from hundreds of partners. In 2022, HDX was accessed by 1.5 million people in 230 countries and territories.

The future of HDX will meet the changing needs of humanitarians and prepare us for a world of more data, more diverse actors and less trust. We are working on a technical roadmap that will improve the platform in a number of ways. The areas include: data as a service, geodata services, onboarding, notifications and workflow management.

HDX includes three teams: 1) data systems, which focuses on data pipelines; 2) data partnerships, which focuses on outreach and relationships with users and organizations; and 3) dev/design, which focuses on software and user interface development.

The data partnerships team requires a Data Manager to support the day-to-day maintenance of the HDX platform. The Data Manager will undertake outreach with data sharing partners to introduce the platform and the services we offer. The Data Manager will undertake daily tasks including onboarding new organizations and users, reviewing new and updated data shared by organizations, and processing data so that it is ready to use and visualize.

Functional Responsibilities

The incumbent will report to the lead for the Data Partnerships team who is based in Geneva, under the overall direction of the Lead for the Centre for Humanitarian Data. The Data Manager will work closely with other Centre teams and OCHA staff in field offices.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Work with partner organizations to support data sharing on HDX.
• Monitor the use of HDX by users and organizations and offer training or demonstrations as needed.
• Advise data sharing partners on the use of data extraction processes for their data systems; develop scripts for data transferring when appropriate.
• Undertake daily quality assurance processes to ensure the data shared on HDX adheres to the platform’s terms of service.
• Work with OCHA and partner focal points in priority humanitarian operations to ensure high-priority data is available through the HDX Data Grids and for new rapid-onset humanitarian crises.
• Promote the use of the Humanitarian Exchange Language (HXL) data standard to increase interoperability of data shared by partners.
• Support the distribution of standard reference data, including taxonomies, code lists, and geospatial data for relevant countries.
• Organize trainings, events and workshops for partners on the use of the HDX platform.
• Take part in HDX team meetings as required.

Education/Experience/Language Requirements

a. Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in computer science, engineering, information management, information technology or related field.
• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) plus two (2) additional years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

b. Work Experience:
Required

• At least five (5) years of relevant professional work experience managing data systems.
• Experience in database management and programming.
• Demonstrated experience in working with humanitarian data.

Desirable: (the following experience is optional candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply):

• Experience with Java and Python programming languages, the CKAN open-data portal.
• Proficiency in Excel and/or Google Suite, knowledge of Tableau, R, ARC GIS, qGIS, ODK, and relational databases.
• Knowledge of geodata, databases and processes.

c. Languages:

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Competencies

STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE: Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

INTEGRITY & INCLUSION: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

LEADING SELF & OTHERS: Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

PARTNERING: Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

RESULTS ORIENTATION: Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

AGILITY: Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

SOLUTION FOCUSED: Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract Type, Level and Duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA2 /ICS10)
Contract duration: 12 months, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

This is not a position in UNOPS. UNOPS is solely providing operational support to its partner UNOCHA for this recruitment process. The selected candidate will be a personnel member of UNOCHA under its full responsibility and salaries and benefits will be decided by UNOCHA.

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.