Data Responsibility Advisor

The Centre for Humanitarian Data is focused on increasing the use and impact of data in humanitarian response. It is managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and is based in The Hague, the Netherlands. The Centre’s vision is to create a future where everyone involved in a humanitarian emergency has access to the data they need, when and how they need it, to make responsible and informed decisions. Our support is provided to OCHA staff and partners, with a priority focus on locations with humanitarian operations. 

The Centre has four workstreams: data services, data science, data responsibility, and learning and practice. Data responsibility in humanitarian action is the safe, ethical and effective management of personal and non-personal data for operational response. The Centre’s data responsibility work focuses on supporting the adoption of responsible practices in OCHA and the wider humanitarian sector. It also aims to help humanitarians navigate the technical and ethical issues involved when working with data in complex environments. 

Over the past several years, the Centre has led the development of a number of guidance documents, most notably the OCHA Data Responsibility Guidelines (agreed in October 2021 and currently being revised) and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Operational Guidance on Data Responsibility in Humanitarian Action (first endorsed in February 2021 and revised in April 2023). We have also worked with partners to publish a series of guidance notes and tip sheets on topics related to data responsibility such as statistical disclosure control and data ethics. 

The Centre offers a range of support services to increase the adoption of data responsibility including training, missions and adaptation of tools and templates to different settings and languages. We also work closely with teams across OCHA to integrate data responsibility approaches into cross-cutting issues such as access, accountability to affected people and cash assistance.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

The Centre requires a Data Responsibility Advisor to support OCHA staff and partners with their understanding and adoption of guidance, templates and tools that ensure the safe, ethical and effective management of data in humanitarian operations. The consultant will need to assess data risks and suggest potential remedies and technical options to share and protect data securely. It is expected that the Advisor will support the design and implementation of activities including advisory support, training programmes, workshops, and development of guidance, as well as represent the Centre in relevant engagements with stakeholders.

The Data Responsibility Advisor will report to the Data Responsibility Team Lead under the overall direction of the Lead for the Centre for Humanitarian Data. S/he will be expected to work closely with the rest of the Centre´s team and OCHA staff in field locations.

• Oversee the adoption of the OCHA Data Responsibility Guidelines by field colleagues in specific operational contexts.

• Represent OCHA as a subject-matter expert and facilitator in inter-agency, intergovernmental, multilateral, private sector, and non-governmental fora, as needed.

• Lead the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications on issues related to data responsibility. 

• Advise on the development of training materials to support the uptake and understanding of data responsibility guidance by field colleagues and partners.

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships to catalyze investment in the Centre’s work on data responsibility, including drafting project proposals and concept notes for resource mobilization as needed.

• Provide technical and strategic oversight on issues related to data security and data protection, in line with UN Secretariat policies.

• Monitor the adoption of data responsibility by OCHA offices and provide input to the indicators in the Centre’s and OCHA’s results framework.  

• Oversee the research and preparation of case studies to inform audiences about the impact of the Centre’s support on practice.   

• Provide strategic inputs in the preparation of talking points for meetings with senior managers and stakeholders. 

• Participate in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of data sharing in response to requests from field offices. 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in political science, social science, public administration, international studies or related field is required.

• A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience 

Required:

• Minimum (7) seven years of work experience that should include: 

• Progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, development, or other related area is required.

• Experience in writing reports, developing proposals, strategies and policies is required.

• Proven ability managing stakeholders in the humanitarian and/or development sectors or other comparable international organizations is required.

Desirable:  (The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• Technical knowledge in data governance and/or humanitarian data management

• Knowledge of humanitarian policy.

Language:

• Proficiency in English (read, write, speak) is required 

• Knowledge of French is an advantage.  

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) 
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA3 /ICS11)
Contract duration: 12 months, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to satisfactory performance

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.