Information Management Officer

About the Organization

The position is located in the Crisis Response Division (CRD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

Job Summary

This temporary job opening is being advertised for the position of Information Management Officer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, the incumbent reports to the Deputy Head of Office.

Key Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Information Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Coordination:

• Establish and maintain an information management network in accordance with IASC guidance to facilitate humanitarian information exchange and the promotion of data and information standards.
• Work with clusters to ensure a smooth transition of information tools and services and delivery of common services and products.
• Engage with counterparts in government and liaise with humanitarian partners, donors to ensure delivery of situational analysis.
• Lead information management and analysis to collaborate with the coordination team internally and clusters externally on the Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC) planning, roll out, and periodic monitoring and ensure whole of office approach to information.
• Collaborate and mobilize internal and external information management resources to strengthen emergency preparedness and anticipatory action with Government lead agencies; to liaise with senior management to advocate for enhanced clusters' information management capacity; and to strengthen partners reporting mechanism through the delivery of effective information management services. Coordinate remote information management support provided other to and by OCHA offices and non-UN actors.
• Provide expert training on the use and development of information management tools and platforms to OCHA staff and humanitarian partners.
• Advocate for the use of data standards and common platforms, and for the open exchange of information.
• Identify in-country activities that could benefit from remote information management capacity.
• Manage information management, analysis and assessment teams/networks with external partners and government counterparts, including chairing the Assessment and Information Management Working Group (AIMWG).
• Manage the day-to-day work of the information management, assessments and analysis team, including work planning, recruitment, performance management

Information Management Unit and Integrated Team Management:

• Advise senior management on operational information management, including strategic government liaison on information and data analysis, and immediate priorities, Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC) planning, and anticipatory action frameworks.
• Support the development and implementation of a strategic approach to managing information around the humanitarian programme cycle, including supporting common information processes such as preparedness, anticipatory action and financing, needs assessment, strategic planning, resource mobilization, implementation and monitoring.
• Provide strategic and day-to-day management of the information management team and related staff, including deployment of surge and other short-term staffing.
• Take overall responsibility for the management of information and the production and dissemination of high-quality information products, tools and services.
• Liaise with external actors, including senior staff in humanitarian and development agencies, and government.
• Advise senior management on developing integrated reporting frameworks -e.g. Humanitarian Financing, Access and CMCoord, Public Information on reporting.
• Provide leadership and vision to the integrated information team. Enable a collaborative approach between different areas of expertise within the team, foster innovation, stimulate early adoption of tools and technologies, and support team building and capacity development through continuous coaching and training of team members.
• Oversee the drafting, stylistic design, editorial coherence and production of all information and reporting materials intended for external use, such as maps, infographics, reports, press releases, bulletins and situation reports.
• Recruit staff, taking due account of geographical balance; manages, guides, develops, trains and fosters teamwork and communication among staff under his/her supervision.
• Carry out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters, reporting on budget/programme performance and evaluation of staff performance.
• Perform other related duties, as required by the Head of Office and the Deputy Head of Office.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in information management, information systems, social science or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in information management, information systems, disaster management, humanitarian affairs, or other related area, is required.
• Experience in managing information in disaster response or complex emergencies is required.
• Experience in anticipatory action frameworks and financing is desirable.
• Experience in managing inter-agency humanitarian planning cycle (HPC) tools, including the Country Module is desirable.
• Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN common system or in a comparable international organization is desirable
• Experience in the Africa context is desirable.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required.
• Required language levels for English: Reading UN Level III, Writing UN Level III, Listening UN Level III, Speaking UN Level III.

Assessment:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Required Skills and Competencies

Professionalism:

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the management of information in complex emergencies, disaster preparedness, disaster response and early recovery.
• Ability to identify issues, analyse humanitarian trends and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
• Ability to conduct data collection using various methods.
• Demonstrates conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning & Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Technological Awareness:

• Keeps abreast of available technology.
• Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office.
• Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Managerial Competencies - Managing Performance:

• Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority.
• Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member.
• Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills.
• Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines.
• Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff.
• Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative.
• Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

How to Apply

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on "Manuals" in the "Help" tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.