Operational Data Management Officer

Hardship Level

D

Family Type

Non Family with Residential Location

Family Type

Non Family with Residential Location

Residential location (if applicable)

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

Grade

PR3

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2025-07-01

Deadline for Applications

July 11, 2025

Standard Job Description

Operational Data Management Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The UNHCR Data Transformation Strategy 2020-2025 envisions that by 2025 UNHCR becomes a trusted leader on data and information related to refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons, thereby enabling actions to protect and to empower forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The Strategy stipulates investing in four complementary priority areas: data management and governance; information systems; capacities and skill development; and culture for evidence-informed decision-making. The strategy envisages data and information management functions in UNHCR carried out in a complementary and inter-linked manner between Headquarters Divisions and Services, Regional Bureaux, country operations and key external partners, including forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

An important element is the establishment of Data, Identity Management and Analysis (DIMA) units in all Regional Bureaux and potentially corresponding units in country operation, led by a senior staff to ensure that UNHCR has a capacity to produce, in line with global standards, quality data, information products, conduct region-level analysis, guide registration and identity management, and advise on responsible and effective data use at country- and regional-levels.

Operational data includes the following: population and demographic statistics, case management information, assessment results, situational analysis, protection incidents, vulnerability and risks, and programme response plans, delivery and implementation. It will be both sectoral data and inter- and intra-sectoral data. Systems that manage operational data include registration systems, sectoral monitoring systems, protection and programme monitoring systems, biometrics and identity management systems, case management systems and other data management approaches such as profiling and household surveys that manage the types of data defined above.

The Operational Data Management Officer (ODMO) is responsible for supporting the operational data systems and activities that fall under the responsibility of the respective country, regional or global entities. S/He functions under the supervision of the DIMA Coordinator/Senior Information Management Officer /Senior Registration and Identity Management Officer or as delegated. The ODMO liaises closely with the relevant technical units at the country, region or headquarters level for technical guidance on data and application management. The ODMO is closely collaborating with the headquarters technical division responsible for information systems and technology to ensure that global standards relating to operational data systems, including systems that process personal data of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons, meet the UNHCR global standards, including data security.

The Operational Data Management Officer supports data-related activities conducted in the core applications, whether conducted by UNHCR, partners or Governments. The incumbent will provide high-quality, user-focused support services to UNHCR field operations and partners, in line with agreed standards and objectives. S/he also supports and implements provision of user access to systems and applications in accordance with data protection protocols. In addition, the ODMO also supports the monitoring of the quality of data collection in close collaboration with the relevant units and ensures that data inconsistencies are identified and resolved. The incumbent supports building reports, templates and forms out of the operational data systems, including refugee registration and case management systems. S/he also ensures that operational user feedback is recorded and analysed to ensure the relevant applications remain fit-for-purpose.

As delegated, the Operational Data Management Officer coordinates closely with information management, registration and other functions in the field, relevant sector leads, the Regional Bureau and relevant divisions in headquarters to promote regional and global consistency in operational data management, including registration, population data and personal data. The incumbent may closely work with partners, including Government users of UNHCR applications. S/he requires extensive experience and understanding of data systems, including database management and production of reports and other products.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Manage and oversee the use, maintenance and technical support of core operational data applications, including systems that manage refugee registration and identity management, including overseeing the quality of data collection and ensuring consistency with standards and guidelines.
- Perform database administrator functions in relation to local field server machines that contain operational data, and refugee and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons data.
- Respond and manage user access permissions for UNHCR staff, local government and NGO partners to global applications in accordance with the policies and standards, including the Data Protection Policy and regional or local country data protection protocols.
- Design and develop standard reports, templates and forms, while ensuring consistency with global guidance and policies, and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including business module owners.
- Identify, diagnose and escalate for the resolution of technical user errors, bugs and queries related to UNHCR core applications on forcibly displaced and stateless persons data and other operational data systems, in consultation with headquarters, external developers and support teams.
- Oversee capacity building and guidance of technical users and administrators, including provision of training materials and remote webinars and training session for technical staff related to data management, data query and report-building.
- Oversee and monitor user management and conduct regular clean-up of user accounts and access permissions in accordance with relevant guidance and procedures of the applications and systems under his/her responsibility.
- Oversee and monitor device and user management within local client and field server solutions, including monitoring frequency of data synchronization to prevent and mitigate data loss.
- Analyse and respond to user requests and queries, including compilation and assessment of applications enhancements and change requests.
- Assist with data quality assessment, data clean-up and data mapping from legacy or external database systems to the applications, as required.
- Conduct data collection audits as required.
- Conduct field testing of new functionalities within respective applications, as required.
- Support the design and strengthening of operational reports and statistics, including provision of training and user guidance.
- Support discussions and definitions of business requirements for interoperability of local tools and applications within the core applications, in consultation with business owners and relevant governance structures.
- Keep apprised of evolving technology and new business needs to support operational data management systems, including registration, identity and population data management in the country operations;
- Provide business analysis for operational needs.

- 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
For P3 - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Computer Science Information Technology Economics
Statistics Social Science or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Excellent computer skills, particularly in data management. Technical expertise in registration, operational data management and individual case management. Knowledge of SQL or Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Knowledge of UNHCR data standards and procedures.

Desirable
Previous experience in registration or individual case management, including use of UNHCR proGres and/or BIMS software. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills
IT-IT Refugee Systems & Applications
DM-Data collection methodologies
DM-Data Management
DM-Database Design & Development
DM-Protection Data Management Systems
IT-Biometrics
IT-Business Analysis (BA)
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
TR-Training - Virtual and face to face
(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.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

The incumbent should Possess strong leadership and managerial abilities gained from a previous experience. In addition, he/ she should:
• Possess in-depth knowledge of the operational context in the Central Sahel, particularly in Chad, along with proven experience in managing large-scale humanitarian emergencies.
• Demonstrate solid experience in registration, data management, information, and identity management, as well as in coordinating teams of data specialists.
• Show a proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and to work effectively with government authorities in complex socio-political environments.
• Have previously served as a DIMA Coordinator, either in a field operation or within a regional bureau.
To promote diversity within the operation, including geographic diversity, candidates from underrepresented nationalities in Chad operation are particularly encouraged to apply.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

French

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

UNHCR Chad operation has been on emergency since April 2023 with the break of clashes in Sudan between the loyalist forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Two years later clashes continue to intensify causing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Chad.

As of June 22, 2025, there were over 863,501 new Sudanese refugees in eastern in addition to the existing 409,000 Sudanese hosted for more than 2 decades in the country. This brings the total number of refugees in Chad to over 1,418,000 individuals.

The new crisis in Sudan and its effects are directly impacting lives, particularly those of women, children, and individuals with specific needs, including refugee communities, returnees, and host populations.

Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer, the incumbent will in charge of managing operation data management and registration activities and teams including coordination with field offices. He/ She is expected to supervise refugees’ documentation and ID card issuance by the government in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Moreover, the staff is expected to coordinate information management activities related to COMPASS, RRRP, Mapping and so ones.

Chad being a French speaking country, fluency in French as well as good working knowledge in English is required as reports are mostly written in English.

Living and Working Conditions:

N'Djamena is the capital and largest city in Chad. For a large capital city, its infrastructure remains basic, although far superior to standards in other regions. The climate is hot and semi-arid, with a rainy season from June to September. UNHCR staff are free to choose where to live, subject to residential security measures. Electricity can be unreliable and international staff are provided with generators by the Office. Water supplies work in most areas, but personal supplies of food and drinking water are required. Most essential supplies can be found in local markets, although the choice can be limited compared to other centers and prices are high as most goods are imported. Banking facilities are available through local banks such as Ecobank and BCC. Health care standards can be described as basic, with staff encouraged to subscribe to International SOS Clinic Services. Serious or complicated health conditions require evacuation to other countries and dental/other specialist care may not be available. Malaria is the most common, but not the only, infectious disease prevalent in N'Djamena and most other regions of Chad. UNHAS flights are the main means of transport to and from field sites. A limited number of companies operate international flights to N'Djamena. Telecommunications services are basic and expensive, with two mobile telephone/internet operators offering 4G services and a growing number of providers installing fiber optic connections. Access to some communication and social media applications, notably WhatsApp, is currently available but has been censored for long periods and requires the use of a VPN. The UNHCR office is covered by UNHCR's own VSAT services.

Several UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs operate in N'Djamena and use the city as a hub. A French military base is located next to N'Djamena's international airport.

The RR cycle in N'Djamena is 8 weeks, as in the other duty stations, except for Baga sola and Bol, where it is 6 weeks.

The overall threat security level in Chad is designated as Moderate by the UN Security Management System in most of the country, except the Lake region, where it is at substantial level, due to higher terrorist- and armed-conflict-related threats. The level of crime is assessed to be substantial both in the Lake and Eastern regions and Moderate in N’Djamena. It is exacerbated by the closed borders with neighbouring countries which impact the already challenging economic situation. Against the backdrop of a sensitive political transition and other socioeconomic factors, demonstrations, strikes, sit-ins and road blockages often for economic, political or social reasons will continue to be reported, despite their harsh repressions by government security forces.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Computer Science, Bachelor of Arts: Demography, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Geography, Bachelor of Arts: Statistics

Certifications

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 1 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance