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.
Under the supervision of the Snr DIMA Coordinator/Head of Service/ Deputy Director or Deputy Representative or other designated manager, the Senior Information Management Officer is responsible for coordinating and supporting information and data management activities in the relevant offices, as well as supporting the activities in other offices and Divisions. Within the team working with data and information management issues, they are key to leading and motivating their team of data and information management staff at the global/ regional/ country level; to facilitate coordination among staff working on information and data management activities in the relevant locations; and to function as a liaison with divisions, field and partners on data related issues.
Information and data management staff are responsible for coordinating, planning, supporting and delivering on data and information activities for all UNHCR operational contexts, responses and populations of concern, including providing coordination and leadership in partnerships on data with all stakeholders including persons of concern. They serve the entirety of UNHCR staff and activities, including protection, programme, operations, external relations and executive management for evidence-informed planning, advocacy, and coordination. They are key in ensuring multi-stakeholder, multi-sector, and multi-country activities are provided with robust and meaningful data and information to support planning, funding and advocacy efforts. This includes both internal and external assessments, regional and country-based planning and monitoring activities such as the COPs, GCR implementation, RRPs, HNOs, HRPs, and Cluster Plans.
Information and data management covers the assessment, design, implementation and evaluation of data an information management related activities. This includes assessment of the information landscape; definition of information and data needs; design of data and information activities, including data collection, analysis, storage and dissemination; implementation of data and information management activities; and monitoring and evaluation of data management activities. The focus is largely operational and protection data and analysis – but not exclusively as IMO activities can involve back office data such as HR and Financial as well – related to support results-based planning, monitoring and reporting implemented by UNHCR and by its partners.
Depending on if they are located in HQ, regional or country offices, the role of the data and information management staff is to provide the necessary quality assurance and technical support for the full range of the data and information management and analysis activities to countries and regional offices; to ensure these processes are in accordance with technical standards for data and information management; and to undertake regional or country data and information management (definition, collection, analysis, storage and dissemination) activities. In addition they are responsible for coordinating HQ and external support to the country and regional offices, to liaise with relevant bodies on relevant matters; to monitor the quality of data and information management activities in country/regional or HQ; to design and implement global, regional or country-based data strategies and systems; to ensure data and information activities are implemented in accordance with data privacy policies, global data sharing agreements and data protection regulations; to communicate the status, value and importance of data; to provide the data, information and analysis needed for global analysis; and to identify risks and opportunities based on insights derived from data.
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
Coordinate data and information management activities at the Regional/Country or HQ level:
– Lead and/or support the relevant data and information management team and activities.
– Design or contribute to the development and implementation of information management strategies and systems.
– Communicate the status, value, and importance of data and information.
– Provide support to development and compliance with standard, norms and policies related to data and information management.
– Support the collection, storage, management and protection of data by global, regional and country offices.
– Support consolidation of data systems, including the interoperability of operational data and systems.
– Ensure consistency of data and results for country, global and regional analysis.
– Identify risks and opportunities based on insights derived from data.
– Liaise with HQ/regional/country, external and internal partners on data and information management efforts and mechanisms, including OCHA, IOM, WFP, UNICEF and national and regional institutions.
– Lead or take part the relevant information and data (internal and external) on refugee and related issues.
– Improve data quality through field support, capacity building, monitoring and feedback.
– Ensure and promote data security, data protection and responsible data-sharing.
Support offices with data and information management:
– Support data management activities such as surveys, secondary data reviews, targeting and vulnerability assessments, indicator definition, population data, profiling, analysis, GIS, data visualisation, maps, official statistics and other data and information management activities.
– Support the analysis of primary and secondary data for interpretation and evidence-informed decision making.
– Monitor the quality of data and information management activities in country and regional offices for integrity, veracity, reliability and credibility as well as compliance with standards and norms.
– Analyse needs and capacities for data management activities and provide recommendations for meeting gaps.
– Provide training support to regional offices and operations.
– Support assessments and situational analysis process with analytical frameworks, data collection, and analysis (standards, methodologies).
– Support planning process (standards, methodologies) quality assurance and technical advice on Theories of Change and indicators, as well as with data management and analysis methods.
– Support monitoring by providing quality assurance and technical advice to the monitoring methodologies, data collection and analysis.
– Review and assess country or region-specific data systems and needs, recommend and support accordingly.
Undertake data and information management activities at the Regional/Country or HQ level with other relevant staff
– Lead technical components of data management activities (definition of needs, data collection, analysis, storage and dissemination)
– Provide and recommend tools and systems needed for information and data management activities.
– Provide information and data management coordination products such as 3Ws, joint analysis frameworks, data and information dissemination platforms.
– Consolidate country and regional data and information for country, regional and global analysis including comparative analysis and socio-demographic trends and situational analysis for country, regional or RRP plans.
– Take part in country or regional planning processes (COPs, regional RRP, regional migration response plans, etc.).
– Analyse trends concerning changes at the outcome and impact levels.
– Develop internal and external information management products such as indicators, templates, maps and dashboards.
– Ensure data is curated and stored in data registries and libraries in accordance with standards.
– Ensure data is used in accordance with the defined purposes.
– Lead or support geospatial analysis, statistical analysis, targeting, surveys, indicator definition and other data management activities.
– Provide population movement tracking systems and other population data systems.
– Support solutions for meeting `communication with communities¿ information and data needs.
Work in close collaboration with:
– All staff to further data literacy and assist in interpretation the data.
– Registration staff regarding the use of individual and personally identifiable data collected or managed by UNHCR.
– Programme staff on the data and information aspects of assessment, targeting and monitoring (three most data driven aspects of the OMC).
– Cluster coordinators and partners on data and information needs in UNHCR-led cluster operations, including HNO and HRP processes.
– Inter-agency staff on the development, coordination and monitoring of responses plans.
– Protection staff on the design, implementation and analysis of protection and case monitoring systems;
– Operations coordinators and reporting officers on the design and delivery of data and information management products for internal and external consumption;
– Sectors technical experts on the methodologies, formats, storage and dissemination of sectoral data and information, including cross sector analysis.
– Senior management to understand and serve their information and knowledge needs.
– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
– Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Geography; GIS; Information Management; Social Science;
Statistics; Demography; Data Science: Physical Science;
Engineering; Economics; Computer Science; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
7 years in information management, data or statistical field, 5 years in international context, 3 years in humanitarian or development situation. Experience with data sharing, data management and data analysis to support policy formulation and implementation.
Desirable
Knowledge of national and international statistical systems; knowledge of international protection, human rights and international humanitarian law; experience in data collection and analysis in field situations; knowledge of GIS and geospatial systems and techniques.
Functional Skills
IM-Statistics Analysis
DM-Open Source Software & Data
DM-Population census and econometrics
DM-Protection Data Management Systems
DM-ArcGIS (Geographic Information System)
DM-Cartographic Skills
SP-Design tools such as Global Positioning System (GPS)
CL-Cluster Information Management Tools, Resources and Approaches
PG-Needs Assessment and Response Analysis
DM-Metadata Creation & Management
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
DM-Data collection methodologies
DM-Data Management
DM-Database Design & Development
DM-Data Interoperability
DM-Data governance, quality assurance and preservation
DM-Development of and revision of data standards
DM-Qualitative data analysis
DM-Quantitative data analysis
DM-Data science methodologies
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate exhibits strong technical expertise in relevant IM tools and processes, ideally with familiarity both in UNHCR’s and RRP indicator systems. S/he should possess substantial experience in designing and conducting surveys and protection-related IM exercises (e.g. Protection Monitoring). A track record of proactive participation or leadership in coordination fora (RCM, Cluster settings) is equally of importance.
S/he should also have demonstrated experience in liaising with and managing external stakeholders (such as Governments, NGOs, UN), including collaborative project management. Additionally, the candidate should bring experience in team management, with a capacity for planning, prioritizing, and building team capabilities. He/she should be able to develop an IM strategy and ensure its implementation by the team. Experience in producing data analysis, infographics, publications, and maps is essential.
Furthermore, the ideal candidate should possess strong communication skills, effective advocacy and coordination skills, coupled with cultural sensitivity, proactivity, and ability to set priorities.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
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Desired languages
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Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
Poland’s eastern borders with Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine serve as the European Union’s external boundaries. The country currently hosts over 1 million refugees from Ukraine, in addition to a smaller number of asylum seekers and refugees from different countries.
UNHCR has been in Poland for 30 years (since 1992), working with national authorities on refugee-related matters. With the Ukraine emergency, UNHCR has substantially scaled up its presence and operations. It currently has a Country Office and Frontex Liaison Office in Warsaw, three Field Offices in Warsaw, Lublin and Rzeszow, and a Sub-Office in Krakow, with a workforce of nearly 140 national and international staff.
The overarching principles guiding UNHCR’s strategy in Poland include: i) localization and centrality of protection, ii) strengthening national systems, avoiding duplication and rationalizing the Refugee Coordination Model (RCM) so that it serves the purpose efficiently and iii) capitalizing on the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR) paradigms to advance the rights of refugees and stateless persons in Poland.
As the UN-mandated agency to provide international protection to refugees, UNHCR leads the refugee coordination structure in support of the Government-led response, with the aim to complement, support and strengthen the national response to the refugee crisis, along with ensuring no duplication of interventions and complementarity of action.
The Senior Information Management Officer leads a small team of Information Management staff based in Warsaw, closely cooperating with UNHCR offices in Poland, while supporting functions such as Protection and Programme, for instance by contributing to Protection Monitoring exercises and surveys or by ensuring quality reporting on indicators of UNHCR’s programme.
The incumbent will play a key role in designing and reporting on various aspects of the Poland chapter of the Regional Refugee Response, which (in 2023) has more than 80 partner organizations.
The post requires strong coordination and communication skills, as UNHCR coordinates the Information Management Working Group in Poland and engages in regular communication and joint projects with Government and other entities.
Living and Working Conditions:
Warsaw, the capital city of Poland, is a diverse urban hub with theatres, galleries, music venues, and the UNESCO-listed Warsaw Old Town with historic landmarks and a vibrant dining scene offering traditional Polish cuisine and international fare. The city also has a growing food scene with various international cuisines.
It experiences a temperate climate characterized by well-defined seasons. Summers are pleasantly warm, with average temperatures ranging between 25-30°C (77-86°F). Conversely, winters tend to be cold and snowy, often bringing temperatures below freezing.
Chopin Airport (WAW) is Warsaw’s main international gateway, conveniently close to the city centre, and offering extensive flight options. Modlin Airport (WMI), about 40 km north of Warsaw, is a budget-friendly alternative with both domestic and international flights.
Warsaw’s public transportation is highly efficient, with buses, trams, and a metro network providing easy access to all areas. Various ticketing options, including the versatile Warsaw City Card, simplify commuting. Private transportation alternatives like taxis, Uber, and Bolt are also readily available. There are also bike lanes throughout the city, as well as bike-sharing services.
When it comes to accommodation, Warsaw offers a wide spectrum of housing options. Choices range from historically significant residences in the city centre to contemporary apartment complexes situated in the suburban peripheries. Rental rates vary accordingly, with city centre accommodations commanding premium prices.
Warsaw offers a variety of top-notch international schools, including IB programs at institutions like the American School of Warsaw and the British School Warsaw. English-language kindergartens and preschools are also available.
Poland provides a well-developed healthcare system, and in Warsaw, you’ll find modern medical facilities and hospitals, often with English-speaking staff to cater to expatriate needs.
Overall, Warsaw’s security situation is stable, contributing to the city’s reputation as a welcoming and secure destination for both tourists and expatriates. Like any major urban center, it’s advisable to exercise common-sense precautions such as safeguarding your belongings and being aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA): Computer Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Engineering, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Bachelor of Arts (BA): History, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Information Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Information Technology, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Development, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Physical Sciences, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Statistics
Certifications
HCR Operational Data Management Learning Program – UNHCR
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B – October 2023
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
How to apply
For a full job description and to apply, interested candidates are requested to visit
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
Closing date of receipt of applications: 9 November 2023 (midnight Geneva time)