Deadline for Applications
March 30, 2026
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
CONTR Local Senior Level Support
2026-04-01
Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
Concise and detailed description of activities, including measurable outputs and delivery dates, impact indicators (what qualitative and quantitative results would be achieved upon completion of individual contract), performance indicators (timelines, value of the service rendered in relation to the cost, timeliness), and work plan:
The incumbent provides hands-on database administration, data quality assurance, and system support for UNHCR operational data systems, including but not limited to RAIS, ProGres Cloud, TuranCore, and related local or interlinked databases. The role supports protection, programme, operations, and management colleagues by ensuring that databases remain reliable, secure, performant, and fit for operational use.
1. Database Administration and Maintenance
• Conduct daily health checks of production databases, including disk space, connection counts, long-running queries, blocked processes, and job status.
• Monitor database fragmentation levels and perform index maintenance when thresholds are exceeded.
• Track table sizes and growth trends, identifying and flagging abnormal growth patterns.
• Perform routine clean-up of obsolete log tables, audit records, and temporary data in line with retention policies.
• Apply database patches and updates during approved maintenance windows, in coordination with DIST.
• Ensure test and development databases remain structurally aligned with production environments.
• Maintain a centralized database tracking log documenting changes, incidents, maintenance activities, and follow-up actions.
• Monitor outstanding database issues and escalate unresolved risks in a timely manner.
2. Test Database Management and Tracking
• Refresh test databases from production on agreed schedules (weekly or monthly, as required).
• Maintain records of test database refreshes, including dates, responsible staff, and encountered issues.
• Ensure that sensitive personal data is masked or anonymized in non-production environments, in line with UNHCR data protection policies.
• Monitor test database size and perform clean-up following completed testing cycles.
• Coordinate with developers and system owners prior to major changes to test environments.
3. Data Quality and Data Integrity
• Execute duplicate detection and validation checks on key datasets (e.g. cases, persons, documentation).
• Conduct routine data quality checks across systems such as TuranCore, RAIS, and ProGres Cloud.
• Address data inconsistencies reported by users or identified through validation scripts.
• Verify referential integrity between related tables and systems.
• Validate datasets against defined business rules and flag violations to data owners.
• Maintain a shared data quality issue log, tracking status and resolution progress.
4. Backup and Recovery Support
• Verify the successful completion of daily database backups and review backup logs.
• Support periodic restore tests to confirm the usability of backups.
• Coordinate with DIST on backup schedules, retention periods, and storage allocation.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation on backup and recovery procedures.
• Keep an inventory of backed-up databases, including scope, retention, and storage locations.
5. Troubleshooting and User Support
• Investigate failed SQL jobs and scheduled tasks, resolving issues or escalating recurring failures.
• Provide technical support to field offices on database connectivity and performance issues.
• Troubleshoot synchronization failures between interconnected systems (e.g. RAIS, ProGres Cloud, local databases).
• Maintain a log of recurring issues and contribute to identifying long-term solutions.
• Respond to urgent database-related incidents during working hours in coordination with supervisors.
6. Reporting and Monitoring
• Develop and maintain dashboards (e.g. Power BI) to monitor database health and performance indicators.
• Prepare weekly status reports covering backup status, job failures, storage usage, and pending issues.
• Support the configuration of alerts for critical incidents such as backup failures or low disk space.
• Track and analyse database performance trends over time.
7. Scripting and Automation
• Develop SQL and Python scripts to automate repetitive database administration and monitoring tasks.
• Support data extraction requests from operational units through scripted queries.
• Automate routine health check reports and anomaly detection processes.
• Develop scripts to identify data quality issues and unusual patterns.
8. Documentation and Knowledge Management
• Document database schemas, table relationships, and key data flows.
• Maintain and update SOPs for common procedures (e.g. backup restoration, test database refreshes).
• Keep an up-to-date inventory of all supported databases, including purpose, ownership, size, and backup arrangements.
• Document custom scripts with clear usage instructions to support continuity and knowledge transfer.
• Perform other related duties as required.
Monitoring and Progress Controls:
The Senior Information Management Associate works under the supervision of the DIMA Coordinator, providing day-to-day technical support and escalating complex issues as required.
Required qualifications, language(s) and work experience:
Education: Minimum 4 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 2 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Language:
Required: Excellent command of English and Turkish
Field of expertise, competencies:
Essential Experience
• Experience in information management, database support, or data systems administration.
• Demonstrated experience supporting operational data systems and ensuring data quality.
Desirable Experience
• Experience supporting humanitarian or development operations.
• Familiarity with large-scale operational databases and system interoperability.
Core Competencies
• Accountability
• Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client and Results Orientation
Cross-Functional Competencies
• Technological Awareness
• Planning and Organizing
• Innovation and Creativity
Individual Contractor
Definition:
Individual contractor is an individual engaged by UNHCR under a contract of limited duration to provide skills or knowledge for the performance of a specific task or piece of work and engaged under an individual contract issued directly by UNHCR. They are neither staff members of UnaNHCR under the Staff Regulations and Rules, nor Officials for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations of 13 February 1946.
Contract Duration/Renewal:
Any extension of an individual contract is subject to operational needs, satisfactory service, and availability of funds. There is no expectation of renewal or conversion of the individual contract beyond its expiry date.
Working Hours:
40 hours per week, inclusive of mandatory night shifts, possibility of work on weekends and official holidays as part of the assigned schedule.
Leave Entitlements:
Annual leave at the rate of two and a half working days per month.
Sick leave at the rate of two working days for each month of service.
Medical Coverage:
Cigna Health Insurance, also available optionally for eligible dependents subject to additional contribution rates and contract duration.
Remuneration:
Remuneration at the level of the vacancy (G4 level or G5 level as applicable) based on the International Civil Services Commission (ICSC) salary scale.
Legal Requirements:
Individual Contractors must comply with relevant local legislation, including but not limited to those relating to taxation, social security requirements, licenses, work permits and visas, and other details stipulated in the terms of their contract. UNHCR undertakes no liability for taxes and social security contributions, duties or other contributions payable by the individual contract holder on payments made under the individual contract. The individual contract holders will not be reimbursed such taxes or granted any other benefit, payment or subsidy which is not expressly provided for in the contract under which they are engaged. UNHCR may require the individual contract holder to provide evidence within a reasonable time that they have registered for and are paying applicable taxation and social security to the relevant national authorities
Important to note: The Individual Contractor shall be responsible for paying any tax levied by his/her Government or other entities on his/her UNHCR earnings. Under no circumstances shall UNHCR be responsible for paying or reimbursing such taxes.
Host country Labor Law is not applicable.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Clearances and ID Cards:
Applications of non-Turkish candidates are subject to MFA clearance before any offer can be made. For cleared candidates who are recruited, MFA ID card applications will be processed while the issuance lies within the authority of the MFA.
Important to note: Once the MFA ID is issued, the time spent under an Individual Contract no longer counts toward eligibility for Turkish citizenship.
Application Requirements:
Applicants must ensure:
To apply for the vacancies timely through Workday. No late applications are accepted.
To reflect their previous experience, language skills (including the mother tongue) and other assets in their Workday applicant profiles duly. Shortlisting is done based on the information provided in the applications only
To attach their valid residence permits (both sides visible) in case they are non-Turkish nationals.
PLEASE DO NOT USE TURKISH CHARACTERS IN YOUR NAME & SURNAME INFORMATION.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to successful reference checks and integrity clearance.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.
External candidates should be legally present in Türkiye at the time of application, recruitment, and hire.
Non-Turkish citizens are required to upload their residence permits or relevant documents under the ‘Certifications’ section, by selecting the type as ‘Personnel Administration – Other’, in order to be considered for this job opening.
Applications by non-Turkish citizens will NOT be considered if a valid residence permit is not attached to the application.
For further information on how to apply, please visit the ‘UNHCR - Application and Selection’ page at https://www.unhcr.org/how-to-apply.html.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
English
,
Turkish
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote
No