UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Protection

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the Organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give more children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the Job  

Under the general guidance of the Social Policy Specialist and in close coordination with the Deputy Representative Programs and working with sections’ programme managers, finance specialists, budget specialists, and implementing partnership management specialist, the beneficiary data specialist will be responsible for delivering timely beneficiary data management services while upholding UNICEF data protection policies. The Programme Specialist (Beneficiary Data) will play a key role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and protection of data within Humanitarian Cash Operation and Programme Ecosystem (HOPE), thereby contributing to the success of cash Programmes.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Personal Data Services Management
• Provide guidance and oversight for the adequate use of the HOPE for UNICEF and partners.
• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures for Implementing Partners to collect and share cash recipient’s data across           programme sections.
• Leverage UNICEF tools to consolidate data from various sources, including Implementing Partners, government, or any other agency.
• Provide oversight of personal data use for efficient and effective delivery of payments.
• Escalate to management, risks related to personal data management.
• Ensure the quality of data analysis, reporting, Third-Party Monitoring (TPM), Grievance and Redressal Mechanisms (GRM), and data           protection standards.
• Oversee FSP rollout of Biometric registration for payment authentication in close coordination with the SSCO biometric task force and       finance specialist.
• Lead analysis of various data sources and propose relevant action to enhance the processes and maintain data occurrence across             systems.
• Oversee the process of sharing payment lists with FSP and facilitate the upload of reconciliation information and a sample transaction       list for payment verification purposes.
• Assess the Ministries’ Human Resource Information Management System (like HRIS for Ministry of Health and DHIS2) and provide             recommendation on the possibility of linking HOPE to the system.

Data Management Representation Function
• Provide input and guidance to the Social Policy Specialist who will be the focal point for coordination with RO Social Policy Team and           Programme Group teams on prioritized support.
• Represent personal data management function within SSCO.
• Collaborate and support in UNICEF’s engagement with Government Ministries where HOPE system is applied in the payment of                 beneficiaries or incentives in coordination with relevant section focal point or section chief.
• Coordinate with other UNAFPs on initiatives linked to strategic and operational complementarity on HOPE system.
• Provide into and engage in sharing HOPE data management function in donor briefings.

Reporting and Third-Party Monitoring
• Provide technical oversight on the ToRs of the Third-Party Monitoring, assessment of the technical proposal based on agreed-upon             criteria, and selection of the third party to verify existing payees’ lists and spot-check Implementing Partner attendance verification           exercises.
• Draft process and output monitoring reports based on data available in various tools, databases, and TPM sources.
• Support in drafting programme monitoring reports when required.

Data Protection Standards
• Ensure that the personal data management workstream is aligned with the UNICEF Data Protection Policy.
• Coordinate with HQ technical counterparts to ensure:
Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) are conducted appropriately on supported programmes.

UNICEF partners are trained on the principles of Data Protection and Responsible Data for Children.

UNICEF SSO and private sector partners comply with relevant data protection legal tools such as Non-Disclosure Agreements

Timely implementation of DPIA recommendation.

• Ensure timely arrangement and signature of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with UNICEF’s implementing partners, financial service     providers and other entities who will require access to personally identifiable information on UNICEF.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

Master’s degree in Data Science, Economics, Social Science or related field is required. Bachelor’s degree complemented with relevant industry certifications and work experience can be considered.

Work Experience:

5 years of professional work experience in personal data or humanitarian program/project management experience, including with multiple stakeholders.  Experience in emergency contexts is desirable.

• Experience in beneficiary data systems for humanitarian cash transfer at the field level.
• Experience in implementing humanitarian cash transfer programmes or individual payment schemes
• Experience in business operation environments with a proven track record of interfacing with multiple stakeholders (internal and external) and successful project completion.
• Experience in working with UN agencies or NGOs (UNICEF experience preferred) at the interagency level
• Detailed knowledge of the project lifecycle and fluency in project management methodologies
• Experience collaborating across multiple functions and working with operational subject matter experts, technical resources and architecture teams.
• High motivation and dedication to deliver results within strict timeframes.
• Familiarity with South Sudan is an added advantage.
• Work experience in cash assistance and proven knowledge and technical skills in the setup, design, implementation, and monitoring of cash-based intervention projects from a multisectoral perspective.
• Fluency in English language is required.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.