Data Management Associate

Target Start Date

02/01/2023

31/12/2023

Duties
– Manage the use, maintenance and technical support of databases used in the Operation, including planning and overseeing data collection, input and verifications; production of standard and ad hoc reports.
– Generate statistical reports based on the standard reporting formats and ad-hoc reports, charts and tables as required by the management.
– Provide training, as necessary, to UNHCR staff as well as staff-members of implementing partners in relevant aspects of data management.
– May be required to coordinate with the GIS colleagues to ensure that data collection is compatible with GIS.
– Archive and backup database systems; ensure security of databases; perform database administrator functions.
– Assist in development of new applications/databases needed by the UNHCR Offices/Units in area of responsibilities in order to perform their tasks smoothly.
– Ensure that the clients’ databases are up-to-date by identifying and keeping what is relevant and accurate in an accessible manner.
– May be required to support registration activities including ProGres technical support and on-site assistance.
– May be required to support voluntary repatriation activities including reconciliation of VolRep data from country of asylum and encashment centers, verification of Voluntary Repatriation Forms (VRFs) and coordination with VolRep Centers (VRCs) on information issues.
– Develop forms and tools for data collection and analysis.
– Have access to relevant data and records.
– Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Functional Skills
DM-Database Management
PG-UNHCR’s Programmes
DM-ArcGIS (Geographic Information System)
TR-Training – Virtual and face to face
IT-Computer Literacy
(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.

Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, over 1.6 million refugees from Ukraine have entered Bulgaria and until the end of November 2023, the Government of Bulgaria has granted Temporary Protection to more than 172,500 refugees fleeing Ukraine, of whom the majority are women and children. As of the end of November 2023, an estimated 52,100 Ukrainian refugees remain within the country. The Council of Ministers has formed a new Task Force for the Ukrainian Refugee Response, focusing on inter-ministerial coordination related to the Ukrainian Refugee Response. UNHCR is part of the government-led Task Force Working Group and will strive to address immediate gaps and advocate for the longer-term solutions focusing on inclusion and integration.

Additionally, Bulgaria as an external EU border, plays a strategic role in refugee protection within Europe. In 2022, Bulgaria’s State Agency for Refugees (SAR) registered over 20,400 asylum seekers, most from Syria and Afghanistan. As of end-October 2023, there have been more than 19,000 asylum applications received by SAR which have exceed the numbers for the same period last year. 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 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 Model, 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 MHPSS Technical Working Group (led by WHO), 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 18 partners involved in the Refugee Response Plan for 2023.

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 response, support to persons with specific needs, and mitigation of the risks relating to trafficking and other forms of abuse and exploitation. UNHCR also supports refugees and asylum seekers with legal information and legal aid, including through one-stop protection shops jointly with UNICEF and partners – Safe Space, Protection, and Support Hubs, commonly known as Blue Dots – a dedicated legal hotline and other outreach mechanisms, and communication with community channels.

UNHCR’s cash for protection program continues to address any gaps in the government-led response to immediate and urgent humanitarian needs by reaching vulnerable refugee households and those at heightened protection risks. The operation is currently undergoing a significant transition in its cash assistance approach from one-off payments to multi-transfer system, while supporting inclusion into social protection schemes. The transition requires comprehensive data management support, including coordination with the Bulgarian government to establish a comprehensive database and ensure complementarity and streamline deduplication efforts.

The Data Management Associate works within the Inter-Agency Coordination and Information Management team which is under Protection Unit in Sofia. The incumbent works quite independently with an oversight from the supervisor and close coordination with all units. The Data Management Associate supports protection and field activities as well as the implementation of UNHCR’s cash for protection program in Bulgaria with operational data systems and activities. The incumbent will support building reports, templates and forms out of the operational data systems. S/He will provide support services to UNHCR operations and partners, in line with agreed standards and objectives and will promote regional and global consistency in operational data management, including registration, systems that process personal data and data security.

Contracts are mainly with the colleagues in the same duty station to exchange information and to discuss the work plans. External contacts are with the national and local authorities for gathering and exchange of data.

Essential
Excellent computer skills, particularly in data management. Technical expertise in operational data management.
SQL knowledge along with data administration skills and Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Working knowledge of Python libraries related to data management and analysis (pandas, pyodbc etc.)

Desirable
Experience with statistics. Knowledge of UNHCR data standards and procedures.

Additional Qualifications

Skills
Database Systems, Data Management, Deduplication, DM-ArcGIS (Geographic Information System), DM-Data analysis, DM-Database Design & Development, DM-Database Management, DM-Data Integrity, DM-Data interpretation, reporting and presentation, DM-Data literacy, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-UNHCR’s Programmes, TR-Training – Virtual and face to face

Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA): Computer Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Information Technology, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Statistics

Certifications
Data Management – Other, Information Technology – Other

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