Data Policy Officer

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) manages an open data platform – the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX). The goal of HDX is to make humanitarian data easy to find and use for analysis.

The HDX team is working with partners to create a framework that lays out the principles, accountabilities and practices for how data should be shared between and among various partners in humanitarian response operations. HDX is also leading on the development of an OCHA data policy.

The HDX team requires a Data Policy Officer to understand data risks and suggest potential remedies and technical options to share and protect data securely. The Officer will also undertake research to define the elements of a broader OCHA data policy. This policy will set the future direction of HDX development and help refine the services that we offer in the future. 

The Data Policy Officer will report to OCHA’s Chief of Data Services who is based in The Hague. He or she will work closely with the HDX data teams in Geneva, Dakar, Nairobi and The Hague.

Functional Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for the following:

●        Conduct a desk review of previous research on data workflow analysis and OCHA’s data policy development.

●        Develop a survey to gather information about current data practices, obstacles and challenges encountered in data sharing and use, and the needs related to governance and guidance for practitioners.

●        Analyze the survey findings and current practices against the law and standards of data protection.

●        Improve the knowledge of the issues and risks posed by the law and data protection standards with OCHA staff and partners.

●        Make observations about current practices around the collect and storage of sensitive data with OCHA and select partners.

●        Develop easy to understand guidelines on good data practices for use by field colleagues and to share with partners.

●        Develop a roadmap with milestones and next steps for finalizing an OCHA data policy based on insights from research in West Africa.

●        Support data literacy workshops when needed by leading sessions on data policy and security.

●        Write blogs and case studies to inform audiences about the research and findings on data policy; contribute to donor reporting for these activities as needed.  

●        Represent HDX in meetings, trainings, workshops, hackathons and conferences; communicate the goals of the Data Lab and the HDX platform to a variety of audiences.

●        Take part in HDX team meetings as required.

Deliverables

●        Survey development and analysis

●        OCHA data policy outline and roadmap

●        Elements of a framework for responsible data sharing with partners

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in in international law, international humanitarian law, human rights or any relevant area to the post.
• First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) plus two (2) additional years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Minimum two years of minimum experience that should include:

• Knowledge of international law;
• Ability to analyze, draft and synthesize is required;

Desirable experience:

• Ability to interact with many entities, both internally and externally is preferred;
• Experience in project management is preferred;
• Experience in the humanitarian sector is an advantage;
• Knowledge of humanitarian health systems data, databases and processes is an advantage.

Professional Proficiency English is required (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is an advantage.    

Competencies

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

 UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Background information- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Background Information - Development Group Cluster

Based in the New York, the UNOPS Development Group Cluster supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. For example, within the United Nations Development Programme, the Cluster works with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support and the Office of South-South Cooperation.

The cluster also supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations in the delivery of project management and implementation services