Deadline for Applications
March 9,
Hardship Level
H (no hardship
Family Type
Family
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
PR
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
Standard Job Description
Organizational Data Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Design, Development and Risk Management Service (DDRMS) has been established to ensure that UNHCR is set up for the future. The Service is under the overall supervision of the Deputy High Commissioner and contributes to shaping and implementing UNHCR's management vision. It advises the Senior Executive Team (SET), headquarters divisions and entities, as well as regional bureaux and country operations on ways in which UNHCR's architecture, policies, processes and systems can be optimized (effectiveness and efficiency) and streamlined (fit for purpose) to help achieve the organization's strategic priorities. DDRMS is responsible for institutionalizing change management across the organization and supporting the High Commissioner and the SET to reinforce UNHCR's culture fostering new ways of working. In addition, it is the custodian of UNHCR's risk management framework and policy.
The Organizational Data Officer reports to the Senior Organizational Analyst. The incumbent of the position contributes towards ensuring that UNHCR's structure and staffing are coherent, fit for purpose, and aligned with its organizational vision and delivery models, including Regionalization and Decentralization. The incumbent closely collaborates with a wide range of data owners from all entities of the organization to ensure solutions proposed are informed by organisational and operational data which is regularly updated and made available to evidence-based decision making inside and outside DDRMS. Within DDRMS the incumbent closely coordinates with and supports other workstreams, notably the workstream on policy and processes with review process and automation, as well as change management and culture with impact assessments and information products. S(he) will also be flagging risks and opportunities emerging from the collection and analysis of organizational data.
The incumbent will contribute to the work of the Design, Development and Risk Management Service to address the UNHCR's diverse organizational data needs. The primary focus of this internally facing, cross-functional role is to ensure the availability of accurate and timely data to inform decision-making, organizational design, and development planning within a broader strategic context. This requires fluency in business process management practices, design thinking and change management.
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
* Integrate data from multiple corporate systems (Results Data Portal (RDP), Compass, CloudERP, Workday (WD), and population data systems) and design ETL pipelines to ensure seamless data ingestion and transformation, while evaluating the appropriate levels of data granularity for accurate representation, analysis, and downstream application.
* Carry out data cleaning, quality and completeness checks for datasets combined from various organisational data systems that are maintained and set up by different stakeholders as necessary. Documentation, data protection and anonymity principles should be considered in this process.
* Refine organizational terminology and metadata frameworks, leveraging this knowledge to confidently and credibly convey results to senior management across diverse functional areas, ensuring alignment and clarity in data-driven discussions.
* Develop data products visualizations, and interactive tools for assessments of UNHCR's current organizational structure, operating models and business processes to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, or misalignments with strategic goals. Tailor products to the purpose and audience.
* Leverage up-to-date knowledge of digital technologies and AI to support the service and team in managing and tracking ongoing projects and tasks, while strengthening the use of modern technologies and tools.
* Ensure DDRMS colleagues have access to aligned, consistent and integrated organizational data, while contributing to the data literacy in the service and support, when necessary, the collection and summarization of feedback through large-scale consultations (e.g., organisation-wide), using tools such as Python-based applications.
* Act as a focal point on organizational data and coordinate and facilitate data exchange between organizational entities ensuring datasets are well documented, and ownership and roles are clear.
* Assist in the production of parameters, standards and benchmarks for organizational design for headquarters, regional bureaux, and operations, using when needed statistical and machine learning methodologies. Develop tools to track parameters, standards and benchmarks.
* Continuously research and apply best practices in organizational data design, structure, and information systems theory to ensure DRRMS and UNHCR's decision making is evidence-based. Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, leveraging new tools, information systems technologies, and methods to streamline processes and improve overall organizational effectiveness.
* Understand and participate in risk assessment discussions with the risk section as needed with special focus on risks and opportunities linked to data management and findings from data analysis.
* Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
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
Information systems; Management; Organizational Development;
Digital technologies; Public Administration; Data Science;
Mathematics or other relevant field
Certificates and/or Licenses
Organization Psychology/Development; Public Administration;
Quality Management; Risk Management;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Experience in UN's organization's data management, organisational change and innovation initiatives through developing or assisting in the analysis of organizational structures, standards, processes or procedures. Experience in organisational data integration, information systems management and the production of interactive visualization and reports at various organisational levels. Solid understanding of UN's organizational data terminology (e.g. human resources and structural classifications, budget, finance and programme taxonomy and/or population types). Demonstrated drafting and presentation skills as well as ability to interpret large data sets and turn them into practical recommendations, e.g. through the use of PowerBI dashboards or narrative reports. Technical experience: Strong knowledge and practical experience with the following tools: Excel, Power BI, Power Query, SharePoint, MS Forms, MS Lists for SharePoint (or any system subsequently replacing a corporate IT system), knowledge of Python, R and UNHCRs AI-chatbots.
Desirable
Experience in both field operations, regional and/or headquarters of humanitarian or international organizations.
Knowledge of UNHCR Operations including programs, indicators, protection mandate, as well as of broader UN reform efforts.
Functional Skills
MG-Change Management
CO-Data Visualisation Techniques/Software
DM-Data analysis
DM-Database Management
DM-Development of and revision of data standards
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
DM-Data Frameworks
DM-Data governance, quality assurance and preservation
DM-Data Integrity
DM-Data Interoperability
SO-Innovation
(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.
Competency Requirements
All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Empowering and Building Trust
Judgement and Decision Making
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Innovation and Creativity
Stakeholder Management
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
Essential Attributes:
•Proficiency and demonstrated experience in working with multiple UNHCR organizational systems such as Results Data Portal (RDP), Compass, CloudERP, Workday (WD), and Orion.
•Data Reporting and Publication: Expertise in creating and publishing online data reports, visualizations, and interactive tools for managers to review detailed information and various scenarios or mock-ups as needed.
•Knowledge of UNHCR Operations: Exposure to various aspects of UNHCR's work, including programs, administration, and protection.
•Understanding of Data Categories: Comprehensive understanding of different metadata and related categories used within UNHCR.
•Reporting Accuracy: Ability to critically assess findings to ensure reproducibility, accuracy, and validation, or clearly explain the criteria used to achieve results.
•Initiative and Creativity: Ability to generate and share ideas, various perspectives, and new scenarios based on data findings and the subject matter under review.
•Technical Skills: Strong knowledge and practical experience with the following IT tools: Excel, Power BI, Power Query, MS Fabric, SharePoint, MS Forms, MS Lists for SharePoint
Desirable Attributes:
•Team Player: Ability to work effectively within a team environment.
•Willingness to Learn: Demonstrates a proactive attitude towards learning and self-initiative
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
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Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Geneva is renowned for its safety and the city boasts excellent healthcare facilities, ensuring that medical care is always accessible. Additionally, the work environment in Geneva is of good standard, with high occupational safety and health standards in place.
More information can be found here: Travelers' Health | CDC
Nature of Position:
The position is part of the Design, Development and Risk Service (DDRS), which has replaced the Transformation and Change Service as well as the Enterprise Risk Management Service. The design and development component of DDRS is dedicated to supporting the effective delivery of UNHCR's strategic objectives by optimizing the organization's architecture and overall institutional framework. This includes improving service delivery through managing access to key data system for OD analyse, hence fostering evidence‑based decision‑making.
The staff member appointed to this position supports DDRS in guiding Senior Management by ensuring that the necessary data and analyses are available for assessing UNHCR's structures, policies, and systems, ensuring that they are fit for purpose and aligned with the evolving organizational vision of UNHCR. This position is highly technical, and information management-related, while being distinctly different from a classical IMO post, requiring independent work with data to generate high quality reports, dashboards and other information products by utilizing different corporate sources, interdependencies and linkages between multiple data sets, to support the design of benchmarks, major change initiatives, and broader organizational management decisions.
This position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, in UNHCR's global headquarters, but might require occasional missions to regional bureaux and field locations. The position of Organizational Data Officer will be reporting to the Senior Organizational Analyst while working closely with all other parts of the service.
Living and Working Conditions:
Geneva, Switzerland, is a city known for its exceptional safety and high quality of life, making it an attractive location for UNHCR staff. The security situation is stable, with low crime rates and a strong police presence ensuring a safe environment. Living conditions are excellent, with a wide range of housing options. As mentioned above, the city is well-equipped with top-tier healthcare facilities, providing comprehensive medical services.
Geneva offers a diverse culinary scene, with numerous restaurants and markets catering to all tastes and dietary needs. The public transport system is efficient and reliable, making commuting easy and convenient. Communication infrastructure is robust, with high-speed internet and extensive mobile network coverage. Additionally, Geneva is home to numerous international schools and educational institutions, ensuring quality education for families. Overall, Geneva provides a secure, comfortable, and well-connected environment for both living and working.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts: Data Science, Bachelor of Arts: Digital Technologies, Bachelor of Arts: Information Systems, Bachelor of Arts: Management, Bachelor of Arts: Mathematics, Bachelor of Arts: Organizational Development, Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration
Certifications
Organization Psychology/Development - Other, Public Administration - Other, Quality Management - Other, Risk Management - Other
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
Compendium
Bi-Annual 2026 Compendium - Part B
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn't require a functional clearance