Associate Registration and Identity Management Officer

 

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship) 

Non Family with Residential Location

UNOPS IICA1 

2024-09-01

August 28, 2024

1. General Background
(Brief description of the national, sector-specific or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate).

Repeated cycles of violence and conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) have had spillover effects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with the two countries sharing a 1,500km border. In 2021, UNHCR biometrically registered 73,645 CAR refugees and asylum-seekers who had fled violence and insecurity following the 2020 presidential election, seeking safety in northern DRC. Small population movements involving people fleeing ongoing disarmament operations by the CAR government and its allies, or inter-ethnic conflicts in some prefectures of CAR causing forced displacements continue to be reported by local authorities.

As of 30 June 2024, about 209,793 CAR refugees have found refuge in the DRC. 23% of the refugee population lives in 4 camps (Inke, Bili, Mole, Boyabu), 13% lives in the 4 development hub villages (Nzakara, Wenze, Modale, Sidi), while the vast majority (about 64%) lives outside the camps with host communities, in more than 50 sites that are generally isolated and difficult to access; while about 400 others are in the capital – Kinshasa and a couple of other provinces.

In 2021, UNHCR and partners began implementing the alternative to camps policy that aligns with the Global Compact for Refugees. This policy seeks to strengthen protection and assistance to refugees as well as support the communities hosting them through a series of activities aimed at improving access to social and economic services. In line with this policy, UNHCR has identified 10 villages in North and South Ubangi provinces to serve as development hubs. Four of the above-mentioned hubs are progressively being operationalized to which a total of about 25,019 refugees have already been relocated by UNHCR or self-relocated.

UNHCR and partners have also continued to pursue durable solutions for CAR refugees in northern DRC, notably through voluntary repatriations since 2019. The repatriation from Inke, Mole and Boyabu camps in North Ubangi and South Ubangi to parts of CAR where the security situation has been confirmed as stable is an ongoing exercise. UNHCR plans to facilitate returns for 15,000 persons in 2024.

About 6,500 refugees have already gone back home since the relaunch of the operation in March 2024.

The Sub-Office manages a Field Office in Libenge and another in Yakoma with a total of 76 staff.

Living and Working Conditions:

Staff members may either live at UNHCR Guesthouse or in town where limited accommodation may be found, however currently there is no space at the guest house till the end of the year 2024 when some staff may vacate. Gbadolite has a population of about 159,000 inhabitants, according to the most recent census conducted in 2014, and is located some 25 kilometers south from Mobayi Mbongo, a town established at the Ubangi River. Gbadolite is situated at some 1,150 kilometers northeast of Kinshasa, and the native town of Joseph-Desire Mobutu the late president of Zaire from 1965 to 1997 but also the sphere of control of Bemba a high-profile politician. There is power supplied by the hydro-electric dam established at Mobayi, but frequent breakdowns are experienced for some days or weeks, in which case the use of generators as back up is required. The quality of the water is very poor due to accumulated rust in the piping and most of the time not available at night-time. Housing facilities are also poor and expensive for rather low quality.
The climate for most of the year is characterized by humid and hot temperatures while the rainy season brings into surface crawling reptiles and insects. There are very limited medical facilities in Gbadolite that are in addition not equipped enough to attend to serious medical cases. Evacuation opportunities are limited since there are only two humanitarian flights per week. The existing commercial flight is not approved for the UN staff. However, air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life threatening emergencies during daytime. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. Malaria is the most common disease, but the region is prone to seasonal monkey pox and conjunctivitis epidemics. As a general advice, applicants for the post should be psychologically prepared for the aforementioned context. The R&R cycle is every 8 weeks. There are no good banking facilities at Gbadolite. Telephone networks are not very reliable, but the Office has effective PAMA and Wi-Fi networks.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
(Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks, and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable)

• Assist in the implementation of registration, enrolment and digital identity strategies, for populations of concern in compliance with global and regional protection and inclusion objectives and priorities, ensuring that relevant standards are met, and appropriate methodologies and technologies are implemented.
• Provide technical support to staff on planned registration and digital identity management activities.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of operational guidance, instructions and capacity-development initiatives, in accordance with policy and guidance disseminated by the Global Data Service in Headquarters.
• Design appropriate procedures and systems for assurance of quality registration data and conduct regular data quality and audit checks to monitor the accuracy of data collected, as well as a tool for identification and prevention of fraud.
• Provide post-deployment support and maintenance of the UNHCR refugee systems applications as required.
• Assist the country team to establish and strengthen internal digital identity, registration, and identity management capacity and/or that of government counterparts to manage registration and maintain population data.
• Liaise with Digital Identity and Registration Section of the Global Data Service as necessary to facilitate registration and identity management activities in the region/ country.
• Advocate with and support government authorities to establish and strengthen fair and efficient registration and digital identification procedures and systems and that POCs’ identity documents or credentials are recognised for the purposes of accessing humanitarian, public and private sector services.
• Establish linkages with key partners to implement appropriate case and data management approaches for efficient, accountable and standardized targeting and delivery of assistance and other programming and protection needs.
• Support the operationalization and negotiation with government and UN partners related to interoperability of external digital identification systems with UNHCR refugee registration and identity management systems.
• Liaise and actively engage with government, humanitarian and development actors, and the private sector to promote the inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers into host States’ population registers and digital identity systems and the registration of birth, marriages, deaths, and other vital events of forcibly displaced persons in the host Government’s civil registry.
• Support the collection of reliable data and the availability of effective analysis relating to POCs’ registration, identity management and digital identification at global, regional and country levels (as appropriate) including for the purposes of strategy development and monitoring and evaluation.
• Monitor, document and report on registration and identity management activities at the regional/ country level, and report on the impact of support interventions to the management of operations.
• Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)
o Number of individuals registered in the identity management system.
o Percentage reduction in cases of double registration or identity fraud.
o Improvement in the accuracy of registration data.
o Beneficiary satisfaction level regarding the registration process.
o Implementation of a new registration system by the end of the first quarter.
o Training of local staff on new registration procedures before the second quarter.
o Intermediate audit of registration data at mid-year.
o Accuracy rate of registrations (target: 98%).
o Average time to complete a registration (target: less than 20 minutes per person).
o Percentage of staff trained in new procedures (target: 100%).
o Number of monitoring and evaluation reports submitted on time (target: 100%).
o Monthly reports on registration progress and challenges encountered.
o Quarterly reports detailing key performance indicators and corrective measures taken.
o Annual reports including a comprehensive analysis of trends and recommendations for continuous improvement.
4. Qualifications and Experience
(List the required education, work experience, expertise, and competencies of the individual contractor. The listed education and experience should correspond with the level at which the contract is offered.)

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

Master’s degree or bachelor’s university degree in relevant area (e.g. Law, Development, Social Sciences Information Technology, with focus on Database Development, Data Management and Analysis, Demography, Geography, Political Science, Business Administration, Humanities, Statistics, or other relevant field).

b. Work Experience
(List number of years and area of required work experience. Clearly distinguish between required experience and experience which could be an asset.)

With a master’s degree, minimum two years’ work experience is required whereas with a bachelor’s degree, three years’ work experience is required and 1-year relevant experience with Doctorate degree.

c. Key Competencies
(Technical knowledge, skills, managerial competencies, or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment. Clearly distinguish between required and desired competencies)
 Expertise in identity management and registration of displaced populations.
 Knowledge of information systems and registration databases.
 Proficiency in identity management software (proGres v4, Biometric Identity Management System).
 Ability to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
 Ability to manage a multidisciplinary team in a multicultural environment.
 Project management skills, including planning, execution, and monitoring.
 Ability to make decisions under pressure and solve problems effectively.
 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
 Sense of integrity and respect for humanitarian principles.
 Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing situations and challenging environments.
Relevant Job Experience

Essential
Understanding of the principles and concepts of international protection and UNHCR, including UNHCR’s registration and identity management guidance and the Policy and Guidance on the Protection of Personal Data of Persons of Concern.

Desirable
Technical expertise in registration, digital identity or biometric management systems. Experience with UNHCR’s PRIMES applications. Familiarity with planning, programming, strategic planning, project development, budgeting and resource mobilization. Understanding of civil registration, national identity management or digital identification systems (including population registries) and digital identity technical standards. Demonstrated knowledge of UNHCR and interagency policies, standards, programmes and operations. Experience of devising data collection and analysis. Experience working with partners, including host and donor Governments, humanitarian and development partners. 

Standard Job Description

Associate Registration and Identity 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 persons of concern (POC), thereby enabling actions to protect and to empower them. The Strategy invests in four complementary priority areas: data management and governance; information systems; capacities and skill development; and culture for evidence-informed decision-making. The Data Transformation Strategy also includes UNHCR’s forward learning action plan on digital identity and the importance of strengthening a trusted and secure digital platform to facilitate protection and solutions, assistance delivery and the inclusion of POCs in State systems and their increased access to services.

The Associate Registration and Identity Management Officer (ARIMO) will function under the direct supervision of a Senior Registration or Protection staff in the Section, Bureau or Country Operation. The incumbent supports the management of UNHCR’s registration and identity management-related activities in the region/ country. S/he may receive functional guidance from the Data Service, Headquarters.

The incumbent assists in the implementation of identity management including registration/enrolment-related activities. S/he will support the operationalization of registration, identity management and digital identity strategies such as the inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers into host States’ population registers and digital identity systems and the registration of birth, marriages, deaths and other vital events of forcibly displaced persons in the host Government’s civil registry. The incumbent will also ensure that identity management practices are actively leveraged to support all UNHCR activities, including identification of specific needs, targeting and delivery of assistance, support to protection intervention, fraud mitigation and response, data protection, case management and conduct of durable solution processes.

The incumbent will also support digital identity activities (standard setting, pilots, projects or programmes) with the aim of increasing the trust in the identity credentials of POCs to increase access to humanitarian assistance, protection, solutions and public and private sector services (including connectivity and financial services) while ensuring the appropriate protection of their privacy and personal data. The position will also contribute to ensuring that there is reliable data and analysis relating to POCs’registration, identity management and digital identification at global, regional and country levels (as appropriate) including for strategy development and monitoring and evaluation.

The ARIMO supports field operations with alignment of registration, identity management, digital identity and case management standard operating procedures to global refugee registration and identity management system applications.

When posted to a country operation, the incumbent coordinates registration operations in the Field under the technical guidance of Registration and Digital Identity staff in Bureaux and the Global Data Service in order to promote regional and global consistency in registration, identity management and digital identity.
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
– Assist in the implementation of registration, enrolment and digital identity strategies, for populations of concern in compliance with global and regional protection and inclusion objectives and priorities, ensuring that relevant standards are met, and appropriate methodologies and technologies are implemented.
– Provide technical support to staff on planned registration and digital identity management activities.
– Contribute to the development and dissemination of operational guidance, instructions and capacity-development initiatives, in accordance with policy and guidance disseminated by the Global Data Service in Headquarters.
– Design appropriate procedures and systems for assurance of quality registration data and conduct regular data quality and audit checks to monitor the accuracy of data collected, as well as a tool for identification and prevention of fraud.
– Provide post-deployment support and maintenance of the UNHCR refugee systems applications as required.
– Assist the country team to establish and strengthen internal digital identity, registration and identity management capacity and/or that of government counterparts to manage registration and maintain population data.
– Liaise with Digital Identity and Registration Section of the Global Data Service as necessary to facilitate registration and identity management activities in the region/ country.
– Advocate with and support government authorities to establish and strengthen fair and efficient registration and digital identification procedures and systems and that POCs’ identity documents or credentials are recognised for the purposes of accessing humanitarian, public and private sector services.
– Establish linkages with key partners to implement appropriate case and data management approaches for efficient, accountable and standardized targeting and delivery of assistance and other programming and protection needs.
– Support the operationalization and negotiation with government and UN partners related to interoperability of external digital identification systems with UNHCR refugee registration and identity management systems.
– Liaise and actively engage with government, humanitarian and development actors, and the private sector to promote the inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers into host States’ population registers and digital identity systems and the registration of birth, marriages, deaths and other vital events of forcibly displaced persons in the host Government’s civil registry.
– Support the collection of reliable data and the availability of effective analysis relating to POCs’ registration, identity management and digital identification at global, regional and country levels (as appropriate) including for the purposes of strategy development and monitoring and evaluation.
– Monitor, document and report on registration and identity management activities at the regional/ country level, and report on the impact of support interventions to the management of operations.

– 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
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law;
Development
Social Sciences;
Information Technology, with focus on Database Development, Data Management and Analysis;
Demography;
Geography;
Political Science;
Business Administration;
Humanities;
Statistics; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Training on Emergency Registration
Operations Data Management Learning Program
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Understanding of the principles and concepts of international protection and UNHCR, including UNHCR’s registration and identity management guidance and the Policy and Guidance on the Protection of Personal Data of Persons of Concern.
Desirable
Technical expertise in registration, digital identity or biometric management systems. Experience with UNHCR’s PRIMES applications. Familiarity with planning, programming, strategic planning, project development, budgeting and resource mobilization. Understanding of civil registration, national identity management or digital identification systems (including population registries) and digital identity technical standards. Demonstrated knowledge of UNHCR and interagency policies, standards, programmes and operations. Experience of devising data collection and analysis. Experience working with partners, including host and donor Governments, humanitarian and development partners.

Functional Skills
DM-Data Management
RG-Civil Registration data collection/processing
PR-Individual Case Management
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
DM-Data collection methodologies
(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.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

French,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Data collection methodologies, DM-Data Management, PR-Individual Case Management, PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators, RG-Civil Registration data collection/processingEducation

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Information Technology, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social ScienceCertifications

Emergency Registration – Other, HCR Operational Data Management Learning Program – UNHCR

 

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
Home-Based

No