Consultancy - HCT MIS - Business Analyst, (182 days), EMOPS - NYHQ, USA

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the UNICEF Humanitarian Cash Transfer (HCT) team in developing the business documentation required throughout the development of the UNICEF HCT MIS and to liaise with relevant stakeholders, internal and external, during the different phases. The position will focus on ensuring there is clear documentation and understanding of both the business and functional requirements of the system. As a result, this function is critical to ensure the development of an effective system data management system for humanitarian cash transfer programs at UNICEF. The key result is to ensure that UNICEF HCT MIS evolving business needs are captured and disseminated through relevant documents across the various stakeholders involved. This will include a specific task on documenting the finance related requirements. As a result, the incumbent will be significantly involved in analyzing and capturing the requirements from the Division of Finance Administration and Management (DFAM)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a Champion

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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 all 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.

UNICEF experience in implementing humanitarian cash transfer (HCT) programmes as well as a recent feasibility assessment have shown that UNICEF requires a Management Information System (MIS) to be able to deliver results for children using HCT in contexts where there is no national MIS system available or fit for purpose. From a programme quality assurance and a risk management perspective, a dedicated HCT MIS is needed to (1) comply with UNICEF’s commitment to scale up cash programming, (2) to be interoperable with other UN agencies’ data system, (3) to contribute to the interagency data hub to which UNICEF has recently committed, and (4) to provide adequate level of risk management.

How can you make a difference?

This consultancy position is located in the Office of Emergency Programme in New York, USA.  The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the HCT MIS Project Manager and in close collaboration with the HCT MIS Finance focal point (Finance Manager) in DFAM.

Responsibilities:

• Update UNICEF HCT MIS artifacts and documentation by reflecting the evolving MIS development ecosystem to ensure regularly updated information are used by development stakeholders for technical specifications and software development.
• Support the Finance Manager and Project Manager in ensuring Azure DevOps epics, features and stories as well as all the relevant tickets include the available up to date information.
• Participate in technical internal and interagency discussions on MIS collaboration modalities to inform any changes in the UNICEF MIS requirements and documents.
• Support the Finance Manager in providing relevant information on DFAM policy and technical decision to be translated into requirements by the business analysts.
• Maintain an updated list of financial related functional and operational requirements.
• Coordinate on a regular basis with EMOPS Business Analyst to ensure that financial requirements closely align with business requirements from a functional and operational  perspective.
• Participate in technical discussions with relevant focal points from DFAM to integrated FSP with HCT MIS and document the integration modality to connect the HCT MIS with these providers.
• Liaise with UNHCR Cash Assist business analyst to ensure the finance related business requirements are properly reflected in technical specifications in the sprints pipeline.
• Based on the various requirements and workflows, work in close collaboration with the MIS development team to draft the MIS Standard Operating Procedures, User Manual and Technical Specifications which will be used to guide and support the MIS development and implementation/ use in the field.
• Provide input and support in all levels of testing and carry out user acceptance testing to ensure functional and non-functional requirements are met and aligned with specifications.
• Ensure dedicated requirements for UNICEF ERP software (Vision) enhancement are being implemented accordingly by relevant ICTD/DFAM team.
• Report and inform on regular basis the HCT MIS Project Manager on progress of the work, identify and flag potential bottleneck that would require strategic and management support.

Expected Results: (Measurable Results and Deliverables) 

• Features, stories and tickets updated in Azure DevOps
• Updated documentation in Azure Devops, Github and Sharepoint
• System Integration notes
• MIS Standard Operating Procedures, User Manual available in Github

Duty Station:

New York City, Unite States

Travel:

Consultant is expected to travel to NYHQ. Travel plans to be pre-approved and agreed to by UNICEF EMOPS. Travel paid for by UNICEF shall be based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

In light of COVID19 related office physical presence restriction in New York city, it is expected that the selected incumbent will have the means to work remotely from home as long as required. As soon as the COVID19 restrictions will have been lifted, the consultant is expected to be physically present in our NY office. Specific circumstances will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Time Frame:

Estimated Start Date: 6 May 2020 through 31 December 2020

Duration: 182 days

Key Competencies, Technical Background and Required Experience:

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Information Technology, Finance, Business process management or relevant field

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the design and analysis of management information systems  involving financial data.

Technical knowledge and skills

• Documenting finance related business requirements and technical specifications.
• in the use and design of Management Information System for HCT programmes is desirable.
• Fluency in English. Good written and spoken skills in the language and tools of business analysis.

Call for Proposals:

Applications should include:

• Past experience of the consultant (CV).
• 3 references with updated contact information.
• Sample of similar work undertaken.
• A writing sample in which applicant was the primary author.
• Daily/Monthly rate

Please indicate your ability, availability, financial request and suggested payment schedule to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a financial proposal will not be considered.

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

With the exception of US citizens, G4 visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant/individual contractor and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the individual contractor/consultant's household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well-qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.