Generic: Research Officer (Data Management) at UNICEF

The Research Officer (Data Management) is responsible for contributing to the Kenya country office research and data management portfolio. The incumbent will be under the Social Policy Section and will support in the design and effective conduct and uptake of research and social and economic data monitoring in accordance with UNICEF mission, guiding principles, standards, commitments, regulatory framework (including policies, procedures and guidance), as well as professional norms and stand. This includes improving data collection and analysis for increased use for policy and programme action, facilitating use of data for evidence based programming, coordinating and supporting research, building capacity research capacity of partners, coordination, knowledge management and ongoing technical support.

Improving data collection and analysis for increased use for policy and programme action

• Support research and the collection, analysis and user-friendly presentation of data on multidimensional disparity affecting children, including strengthening national data system capacity to collect routinely, report and use data for policy decision-making.
• Provide timely, regular data-driven analysis for effective prioritization, planning, and development.
• Identify data, research and knowledge gaps and work with sector specialists and officers to ensure these are addressed in planned evidence activities. Facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration in research and data collection activities.
• Ensure that UNICEF-supported data collection and research is designed and implemented according to established UNICEF policies and procedures, including gender-sensitive. 
• Support the development of data collection and research Plans
• Facilitate research quality and ensure processes at the section are in accordance with the UNICEF Policy on Research. Ensure that the Standard Operating Procedures outline the quality assurance process for research and that checklists, guidance and other tools are available to research project managers from all sectors.
• Technically support UNICEF programme specialists and programme partners to formulate Terms of Reference for high quality data collection and research projects.

Facilitate use of data and research for evidence-based programming

• Develop, refine and manage  data repository bringing together data from multiple sources into a coherent, visually appealing platform to inform national planning and budgeting decisions and enhance the effective delivery of national programmes delivering basic services affecting children and other vulnerable groups
• Provide technical support for systems strengthening and capacity development on data systems, including during the preparation and undertaking of national census and national surveys, as well as during data collection, analysis, report writing and dissemination
• Undertake data analysis exercises in partnership with other Programme Sections and other relevant partners involved in national surveys and data production
• Provide technical backstopping around survey development and analysis to UNICEF programme sections.  Provides support to programme staff to acquire data from national surveys and administrative sources for further analysis
• Facilitate the uptake of research internally at UNICEF and with national counterparts and partners. Enables a research repository to influence and advocate for the improvement of child-focused policies and programs

Research Dissemination and Capacity Building

• Ensure research capacities of section staff and national partners – government and civil society – are strengthened enabling them to increasingly conduct and lead data/research processes for policymaking at national and decentralized levels.
• Support UNICEF sections on research dissemination and development of advocacy strategies to improve evidence-based policymaking and programming that benefits children and the results are disseminated in a timely fashion to stakeholders in order to improve programme performance and contribute to wider learning.
• Pay attention so the capacity needs of national partners such as civil society, research institutions, universities and think-thanks will be strengthened by involvement in data and research processes.

Coordination, Networking and Knowledge Management

• Ensure that UNICEF is effectively linked to wider global and regional developments in a way that both contributes to and benefits from organizational learning on effective delivery of results for children.
• Coordinate with UNICEF regional office, headquarters and Innocenti Research Center, and other organizations to enable research for/in Kenya
• Ensure that current and accurate evidence are included in country and regional reports, multi-country studies, and knowledge sharing networks and platforms.
• Undertake lessons-learned reviews on successful and unsuccessful of research practices and experience at the national level, and ensure they are shared as appropriate. Similarly, pay attention to knowledge networks to identify innovations and lessons learned that may be relevant for the CO and partners to improve their research function and evidence-based policymaking

UNICEF Programme Management

• Help manage and coordinate technical support around child poverty, social protection, public finance and governance ensuring it is well planned, monitored, and implemented in a timely fashion so as to adequately support scale-up and delivery.
• Ensure risk analysis and risk mitigation are embedded into overall management of the support, in close consultation with UNICEF programme sections, Cooperating Partners, and governments.
• Support and contribute to effective and efficient planning, management, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the country programme. Ensure that the social planning project enhances policy dialogue, planning, supervision, technical advice, management, training, research and support; and that the monitoring and evaluation component strengthens monitoring and evaluation of the social sectors and provides support to sectoral and decentralized information systems.
• Prepare quality programme reports and briefing notes to ensure regular internal and external updates on programme status and progress.
• Ensure timely submission of progress and results for inputting into donor reports, and for planning, management, monitoring and evaluation purposes as needed.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• University degree in Social Policy, statistics, planning development, planning or relevant field
• A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience in research and data development and implementation
• Experience in field work in the area of research, programme implementation or monitoring & evaluation is required.
• At least one year exposure on data and knowledge management to promote use, dissemination and uptake of research and evidence
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.