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For every child, the right to a future 

Every child in the Syrian Arab Republic has the right to equitable and adequate social protection and basic services, such as health, education, nutrition, WASH, and child protection. The Social Policy team in UNICEF Syria Country Office focuses on four key areas – social protection, cash transfers, public finance and general financing for children, and child poverty. In these four priority areas, UNICEF Syria CO provides different levels of technical assistance and support to national counterparts ranging from system strengthening, capacity building, policy analysis and evidence generation, and advocacy with particular focus on social protection systems, large-scale cash-based transfers (both humanitarian and non-humanitarian), and public finance management.

On 8 December 2024, Syria witnessed a monumental political shift . In response to this new context, the UNICEF in Syria is working on developing information and is strategizing on supporting the national social protection reform to support Syria’s recovery and transition. To address the long-term impact of conflict as well as this transition, the UNICEF Social Policy programme will work to strengthen national statistical, public financial management, and social protection systems and coverage, in addition to building decentralized capacities for the effective, equitable and integrated provision of services, especially in geographic areas with pockets of higher vulnerability and more significant disparities.

UNICEF Syria will support the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL), through technical assistance for the conceptualization of a national Management Information System (MIS) for cash-based social assistance, to be hosted at MoSAL. The assignment will provide technical support to the UNICEF Syria Cash Team to ensure alignment with government priorities and international best practice.

The consultant will contribute technical inputs to a national workshop organised by MoSAL and the Ministry of Finance and facilitated by UNICEF and partners, prepare and deliver technical materials for government counterparts, and provide continued advisory support through follow-up technical discussions and meetings.

How can you make a difference? 

The primary objective of the consultancy is to support the Ministry throughout the end-to-end lifecycle of MIS design and implementation. The consultant will bridge the gap between policy goals (social welfare) and technical implementation (IT solution), ensuring the system is fit-for-purpose, sustainable, scalable and user-friendly.

The consultant will assess the current MIS landscape, identify gaps in infrastructure and processes, and recommend practical improvements aligned with international best practices. The role also includes hands-on technical guidance to ensure strong system architecture, data governance, security standards, and overall operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Vision and Strategy Development

• Current State Assessment: Conduct a rapid assessment of existing IT infrastructure, capacities, data flow, and business processes within the Ministry.
• Strategic Roadmap: Define the long-term vision for the Social Registry and Social protection including Cash Transfer MIS. Ensure alignment with national digital transformation strategy, governance standards, and data privacy laws.
• Conceptual Design: Assist in defining high-level architecture, ensuring interoperability with other government databases (e.g., Civil Registration, National ID).

Action Plan Development

• Project Roadmap: Create a detailed, phased costed implementation plan covering procurement, development, testing, piloting, and scale-up phases (include concrete steps/timelines and responsibilities, costed activities etc.).
• Risk Management: Identify potential technical and operational risks and develop mitigation strategies.

MIS Architecture, Infrastructure & Workflow Process Design

• Provide technical support in the design/architecture of the MIS, including development of system and operational requirements, modules, database structure, data flows/workflow, and interoperability requirements.
• Advise on infrastructure setup, hosting options, performance needs,  disaster recovery and operations continuity, network security, daily and automatic data backups  and data security, privacy and protection controls required for MIS supporting large-scale cash transfer operations.
• Design and document key workflows covering delivery chain of a cash plus programme including but not limited to beneficiary onboarding, updates, case management, grievance handling, and payment processing.
• Support planning for integrations with banks, payment service providers, data collection platforms, and communication channels.

Operational Support for Cash Transfer Cycles

• Provide technical support in preparing the MIS for live payment cycles, ensuring all components are ready and tested.
• Review and optimize payment list generation processes, validations, eligibility checks, and reconciliation procedures.
• Troubleshoot operational issues during initial cycles and help establish strong support and escalation mechanisms.

Capacity Building & Knowledge Transfer

• Identify gaps and build the capacity of government staff on MIS operations, administration, and best practices in managing cash transfer systems. Strengthen the team’s technical skills in areas such as data quality, system usage, documentation, and operational troubleshooting.
• Develop and deliver system requirements document, technical design document, training materials, SOPs, user manuals, and guidelines to ensure long-term sustainability and institutional memory.
• Promote a culture of ownership by supporting the government to gradually take over system operations and maintenance.

Technical assistance Quality Assurance, Security

• Ensure that the proposed MIS solution adheres to any required national standards and aligns with international best practices. This includes ensuring system interoperability, enabling secure and efficient data exchange across government and partner platforms, and prioritizing the use of digital public goods and open‑source technologies where feasible.
• The MIS solution should be designed for easy integration with existing and future system needs, support standardized data structures and APIs, and promote a modular architecture that enhances scalability, transparency, and long‑term sustainability.
• Ensure that best practices in software development, system architecture, security, and data management are applied throughout the project.
• Review and strengthen data privacy, security and protection measures, including access controls, authentication, encryption, and audit mechanisms.
• Provide guidance on testing strategies, including functional testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), data validation, and operational performance checks.
• Support the creation of maintenance, support, and monitoring frameworks for continuous improvement.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  MIS and Digital Cash Transfer Advisor TOR (final) - VA.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

1.    Academic qualifications: Master's degree in information systems, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Management, or         a related field (mandatory).

2.    Work experience / Technical competencies:

• At least 10 years of experience in designing, implementing, or advising on large-scale information systems, preferably national systems.
• Proven expertise in MIS/ERP architecture, system design, and infrastructure planning, including scalability, security, and data governance.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or advising on national-level cash transfer programmes, social protection systems, or other large beneficiary-based systems (highly desirable).
• Strong background in system assessments, gap analysis, and producing clear technical recommendations and implementation roadmaps.
• Practical knowledge of large-scale database design, data modelling, data quality assurance, and integration with external systems.
• Proven ability to conduct capacity building, including training, mentoring, and producing technical documentation and SOPs for non-technical users.
• Familiarity with modern development and delivery practices (e.g., agile methodologies) and project management with the ability to guide teams in applying best practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into clear guidance for decision-makers.
• Solid understanding of security standards, including authentication, authorization, data protection, and risk mitigation in information systems.
• Experience working with government stakeholders, providing technical advisory services, and strengthening institutional capacity.
• Proven ability to conduct capacity building, including training, mentoring, and producing technical documentation and SOPs for non-technical users.
• Familiarity with modern development and delivery practices (e.g., Agile methodologies) and project management with the ability to guide teams in applying best practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into clear guidance for decision-makers.
• Experience working in complex humanitarian or development environments, with the ability to navigate constraints and propose practical, sustainable solutions.

3.    Language requirement:
Proficiency in English is required, both spoken and written communication skills. Speaking Arabic language will be considered as a strong asset.  

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Applications through UNICEF’s Talent Management System (TMS)
2. CV and Cover letter describing your qualifications and past experiences (maximum 2 pages), which very clearly indicates your current indicative daily fee rate in USD (Note: contracted daily fee will be contingent upon assignment scope and duration, final agreed rate will be negotiated with requesting office at time of contracting) 
3. At least 3 References from previous Direct Supervisors

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.