Data and Information Assistant (United Nations Volunteer)

READVERTISED!

Target Start Date

24/09/2024

Advertisement End Date

17/09/2024

Onsite

Mission and objectives

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.

Context

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is a global organization protecting people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We work in over 130 countries, helping millions of people with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights, and helping them build a better future (see www.unhcr.org). Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, over 2.8 million refugees from Ukraine have entered Bulgaria and until the end of February 2024, the Government of Bulgaria has granted Temporary Protection to more than 189,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, of whom the majority are women and children. The Council of Ministers has formed a Task Force for the Ukrainian Refugee Response, focusing on inter-ministerial coordination. UNHCR under its mandate leads and coordinates the Inter-Agency refugee response for the Ukraine Situation, in alignment with the Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Ukraine Situation (RRP) – co-leading with and in support of the Government. Under the Refugee Coordination Mechanism, UNHCR has established the national refugee coordination forum – along with an inter-agency Cash Working Group (led by UNHCR), an Education Working Group (led by UNICEF), a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Working Group (led by WHO), a Protection and Inclusion Working Group (led by UNHCR), a Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) network (co-led by UNHCR, UNICEF and a local organization) which fall under the inter-agency refugee coordination mechanism. There are currently 19 partners involved in the Refugee Response Plan for 2024. Additionally, Bulgaria as an external EU border, plays a strategic role in refugee protection within Europe. In 2023, Bulgaria’s State Agency for Refugees (SAR) registered over 22,500 asylum seekers, most from Syria and Afghanistan, which have exceeded the asylum application numbers from 2022. SAR operates six reception centers for the registration, Refugee Status Determination procedures and accommodation of asylum seekers. Amid an increase in arrivals of Afghan and Syrian asylum seekers since 2022, UNHCR supports Bulgaria’s Government to ensure policies and legislation are in line with international and EU standards, and promotes a comprehensive refugee response, grounded in a multi-stakeholder, whole-of-society approach. UNHCR supports government-led efforts to provide key protection – including legal assistance, information on services, education and psychosocial support – reception and accommodation, as well as the delivery of core relief items for winterization and cash assistance for the most vulnerable groups. UNHCR’s priority protection interventions include access to territory and asylum procedures, inclusion of refugees in state-led programs, Child Protection and Gender Based Violence prevention, risk mitigation and response, support to persons with specific needs, and mitigation of the risks relating to trafficking and other forms of abuse and exploitation. UNHCR is also providing technical support to asylum authorities for digitalised systems.

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of UNHCR’s Protection team.

Task description

The UN Volunteer (Specialist) will work closely with colleagues across all units in UNHCR of the operation as well as with external partners on the issues of data and information exchange. The main tasks and responsibilities of the UN Volunteer (Specialist) will be as follows:

• The incumbent will support the units to respond to the data and information management needs of the operation, including the training of staff in the use of proGres and other UNHCR corporate applications and tools.
• The incumbent will be tasked with generating statistical reports according to the standard reporting format, as well as ad-hoc reports, charts and tables as required by management.
• The incumbent will assist in monitoring the quality of the provision of cash assistance for the operation under its area of responsibility through established Monitoring and Evaluation systems. She/he will be required to support the CBI unit to produce regional internal and external reports. She/he will assist the CBI unit in the development of all new activities.
• The incumbent will maintain protection presence and monitoring through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with people UNHCR works with, host communities, local authorities and partners.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required experience

3 years of experience in Economics and finance, management of projects or programmes, data-related fields, business administration; social science; social economics, or other relevant field

• Experience with setting up and monitoring/managing projects that involved data analysis and multi-stakeholder coordination is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Good data analysis and management skills;
• Good IT skills and digital literacy;
• Experience with handling confidential data and demonstrated understanding of different data collection methodologies;
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; including ability to communicate patiently and respectfully with a broad range of individuals including persons with specific needs;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness; Have affinity with or interest data management and/or social protection, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system;
• Bachelor’s degree is an added value

Area(s) of expertise

Information technology, Business management

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required
Bulgarian, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management
• Integrity
• Teamwork, collaboration and respect for diversity
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Communication
• Client and result orientation
• Analytical thinking
• Stakeholder management
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarks

The UN Volunteer will be expected to travel to the field, particularly to areas of high presence of refugees. This assignment requires full-time engagement (8 hours/5 days per week). The UN Volunteer will be responsible for his/her accommodation. The contract lasts for the period indicated above with the possibility of extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service.

Monthly Living Allowance (per month): BGN 2635.83 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 Exit allowance: BGN 183.5 for each month served, paid on completion of the contract Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in exchange rates.

Medical and life insurance:

• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage.
• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment.

Leave entitlements:

• Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds