Home-based in Prague: Beneficiary Data Expert/Specialist (41 working days) - UNICEF Czech Republic Refugee Response Office (RRO)

UNICEF Czech Republic RRO is looking for a qualified Beneficiary Data Expert/Specialist to support the implementation of the programme.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, dedication.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

In the Czech Republic, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Czech Red Cross, UNICEF supported 923 Ukrainian refugee households with 966 children with disabilities with financial support and case management for the period from April 2023 to March 2024. Within the workplan with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and with its technical guidance, the programme was implemented nationwide in collaboration with the Czech Red Cross (CRC). The CRC continues to offer case management for the enrolled children with disabilities. According to the the 7th amendment of the Lex Ukraine legislation, approved by the government on 12 June 2024, humanitarian benefit for children with disabilities will include child disability benefit in the amount of CZK 6,600 starting 1 January 2025.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) has requested UNICEF to continue to provide support to the children with disabilities to bridge the gap until the introduction of the Government’s scheme. The programme will be implemented from October to December 2024 and will aim to address additional costs that the families experience due to their child’s medical condition or impairment. The programme will provide cash to the carers of children (legal guardians) with disabilities, as well as ensure that their needs and vulnerabilities are identified and their access to the relevant basic and specialized services is ensured. This is especially important with the start of the new school year and forthcoming winter-related expenses for the families of children with disabilities.

In the absence of a UNICEF Social Policy team in Czech Republic, the office will hire a consultant to support the implementation of the programme.

Scope of Work

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide assistance and support to UNICEF in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the programme, to ensure effective delivery of financial support to families with children with disabilities.

Working in close cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and CRC, the Consultant will support the 3 month implementation of a cash benefit for approximately 996 Ukrainian refugee children with disabilities.

The estimated duration of consultancy is 41 working days.

Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist, the Consultant will lead the following activities related to coordination, management and implementation of the programme.

1. Ensure effective and timely coordination and management of the programme
2. Ensure effective and timely communication to both partners and beneficiaries
3. Oversee and provide support for beneficiary data management, and timely distribution of cash to beneficiaries
4. Support programme monitoring and evaluation

Detailed tasks and deliverables are in the respective table below.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks / Milestone	Deliverables / Outputs	Timeline / Deadline
Task 1. Coordination and management Ensure timely and smooth coordination with partners including national government, CRC, UNICEF HQ/regional office. Establish, support and report on biweekly coordination meetings with partners to ensure smooth implementation of the programme, proactively identify problems and propose mitigation measures	6 coordination meetings organised and minuted	6 working days; From September to November
Task 2: Communication and outreach Adapt and edit communication content for external and internal communication. Support activation and use of communication channels that are relevant and effective Provide support to the partners to identify most cost-effective communication and outreach alternatives to provide timely information to the beneficiaries	Communication package for beneficiaries in Czech Ukrainian, and English delivered through established channels	4 working days; From September to November
Task 3: Beneficiary Data Management Provide oversight of personal data use for efficient, effective and timely delivery of individual payments/cash transfers/Manage any risks related to personal data management, in line with UNICEF data protection policies Ensure timely arrangements with UNICEF’s implementing partners, financial service providers and other entities that require access to personally-identifiable information on UNICEF beneficiaries (to contribute to payment delivery) Spot check and ensure quality of data stored in HOPE and in other digital platform. Represent data management function with external stakeholders Oversee verification of beneficiaries and confirmation of payments lists in HOPE in partnership with the Czech Red Cross Oversee all payment processes in line with the respective SOP developed and approved by the office Support partners to identify mechanisms for feedback and grievance	NDAs with partners are signed. (2 days) Functional Database established, 2 updates (4 days/ update) Payment list (established), 2 updates (3 days) Programmatic reconciliation on beneficiary database vs. transfers made in HOPE (4 days) Payment/ Reconciliation completed (4 days) All grievances reported and followed up. (1 day)	18 working days; From September to November
Task 4: Monitoring and Documentation Draft Process and output monitoring report based on data available in HOPE Provide support to communication team to produce human stories Provide support to the partners for PDM Provide inputs and support to the final documentation of the programme	PDM conducted after each cycle (0.5 day/cycle) Monitoring reports from HOPE per payment cycle (0.5 day/report) Documentation of HCT programme operationalization and lessons learned drafted and finalised (10 days)	12 working days; From September to November
Monthly report summarising activities undertaken and bottlenecks encountered(if any), as well final hand over report	Final Report (1 day)	1 working day; In December

Estimated Duration of the Contract

41 working days between September and December 2024.

Consultant's Work Place and Official Travel

The Consultant will be remote/home-based with no travel foreseen.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 41 working days to undertake this assignment.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Required:

• Master's degree in Information Technology, Economics, Social Science or related field is required. Bachelor's degree complemented with relevant training and work experience can be considered.
• At least 2 years of experience on social policies/social protection
• Experience in implementing humanitarian cash transfer programmes
• Experience with beneficiary data systems and beneficiary data management for humanitarian cash transfers at field level
• Demonstrated experience on managing partnerships with national counterparts
• Working knowledge of the project/programme lifecycle (Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation) and project/programme management methodologies
• Excellent communication & presentation skills (written) across multiple audiences
• Fluency in English
• Fluency in Czech

Desirable:

• UNICEF experience will be considered an advantage
• Experience with UNICEF HOPE system will be considered a distinct advantage
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment, and maintain respectful working relations with sensitivity and respect for diversity

Skills:

• Ability to synthesize information
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• High motivation, and dedication to deliver results within strict timeframes

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most marginalized children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Please include a full CV and a Cover Letter in your application. Additionally, indicate your availability and professional fee (in USD) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a professional fee will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.