For circulation - Information Management Officer (IMO), L-3, OCHA Field Duty Stations, Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/67/2008

[Brendan McDonald]

Dear Colleagues,

It would be much appreciated if you please circulate to interested colleagues the following OCHA Vacancy Notice for Information Management Officers, which is also posted on ReliefWeb.  OCHA is gradually moving to a roster based system for our most frequently advertised posts. Once this roster is established, it is most likely that we will only recruit Information Management Officers at the L3 level from this roster for the next two years. I would therefore encourage interested practitioners to apply for the roster, even if they are not currently available.

Best regards,
Brendan


Brendan McDonald
Manager
Field Information Services Unit (FIS)
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Tel: +1-917-367-3557 Fax: +1-212-963-1040
Email: mcdo...@un.org
http://ochaonline.un.org



----- Forwarded by Brendan McDonald/OCHA/NY on 04/10/2008 12:15 PM -----

OCHAVACANCIES/OCHA/GE Sent by: Chiraz Boutiba 04/10/2008 05:58 AM

To cc Subject Information Management Officer (IMO), L-3, OCHA Field Duty Stations, Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/67/2008

 

Mailing address:
Palais des Nations
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Fax: (+41 22) 917 0080
E-mail: ochava...@un.org

                                                                 
                                                                                     Date of issue: 10 April 2008

Post title and level:            Information Management Officer (IMO), L-3        

Duty station:                                  OCHA Field Duty Stations
               
Duration:                                  Up to twelve (12) months (with the possibility of extension)
                       
Vacancy Notice number:            OCHA/G/67/2008

Deadline for applications:        11 May 2008

Date of entry:                             To be determined

Duration of the Roster:                     Two years after the placement on the Roster


                                                    United Nations Core Values:
                                  Integrity ● Professionalism ● Respect for diversity

These generic terms of reference have been created as a preparedness measure for possible deployments to countries where OCHA will provide information management support to humanitarian coordination.

I. Introduction of the Roster Programme  

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) launched vacancy announcements for Roster purposes. OCHA - through the Roster Programme - will pre-select qualified and suitable individuals from the (international) humanitarian arena for its field assignments across the globe.  

Successful candidates will normally be deployed in the field for an initial period of one year with the possibility of extension, although shorter assignments (less than twelve months) are also foreseen. The shorter assignments may also be at the Headquarters (New York or Geneva).  



II. Organizational Setting and Reporting Lines:

In countries or regions affected by either major natural disasters or complex emergencies, OCHA field offices have the responsibility for overseeing cluster coordination in response to the humanitarian crisis. An OCHA field office functions as the secretariat and chief adviser to the Humanitarian Coordinator, who has specific responsibility for the dissemination of information and policies of the Executive Committee on Humanitarian Affairs (ECHA) and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) to the humanitarian community, the host government, and donors, as well as support to resource mobilization efforts.  

Through the Humanitarian Coordinator, a OCHA field office works on four core functions: (i) alleviation of human suffering through the coordination of principled humanitarian action; (ii) promotion of preparedness and prevention efforts to reduce future vulnerability to natural disasters; (iii) advocating for the rights of people in need; (iv) and facilitating sustainable solutions to address root causes.  

The IASC has also endorsed OCHA as the steward of Humanitarian Information Centers (HIC), a UN Humanitarian Common Service made available to the Humanitarian Coordinator during emergency. HICs work to support coordination through the provision of information products and services, and contribute to the creation of a common framework for information management within the humanitarian community. HICs are service oriented, existing solely to ensure that clients have access to the best, most timely and reliable information products possible.

Humanitarian information management improves the capacity of stakeholders for analysis and decision-making through strengthened collection, processing, interpretation and dissemination of information at the intra and inter-cluster level. Information is in this sense the foundation on which decision-making for a coordinated and effective response is based and underpins the functions of both OCHA Field Offices and Humanitarian Information Centers. Whilst the specific activities of the IMO will vary depending on the country specific context, the overarching objective for the IMO is to improve support to decision making through the strengthened collection, processing, and timely dissemination of information relevant to the response.

III. Duties and Responsibilities of the Incumbent:

Within the limits of delegated authority, the incumbent will discharge the following functions:

In collaboration with the Field Information Services Unit, update and assimilate global information management standards, policies and
procedures to guide related activities within the OCHA Office.

In close collaboration with the relevant OCHA staff, determine the primary data and information elements that are required internally and
externally to support inter-cluster coordination and overall humanitarian decision-making.

Develop and maintain a client-oriented approach with all relevant stakeholders to help identify their information requirements to ensure that the
 information needed to support humanitarian operations and the coordination role of the Humanitarian Coordinator, OCHA Field Office or the
HIC is submitted/collected, organized and made available to all humanitarian stakeholders in-country and if relevant, regionally.

Support strategic and operational decision making by processing and analyzing data and information and presenting it in the format most useful
for analysis (e.g. reports, maps).

Together with the other relevant staff of the Office, design and implement a structured dissemination plan for all information products and services
(e.g. reports, data, maps) through, for example, hard copy, stand alone executable programs, CD-ROMs and websites.

Provide training to OCHA staff on OCHA’s information systems and standards.

Serve as focal point within the humanitarian community for information exchange and support the promotion of data and information sharing
protocols, such as SHARE standards and the use of standardized metadata, as well as data standards (particularly P-codes).

Manage the data collection, data entry and use of standardized systems to support humanitarian operations and the Consolidated Appeals
Process (CAP).  These standardized databases include: Who Does What Where, Contacts Directory, Field Document Management System
(FiDMS) and Financial Tracking System.

If necessary, oversee technical staff in the development of databases to support the collection and processing of context specific data
(e.g.: affected population, displaced populations, demographic and vulnerability data, results of common rapid needs assessment etc.).

Support the advocacy functions of the office through the collection, processing, storage and retrieval of documents, including images, of
emergencies and vulnerability, as well as relief operations.

If required, manage OCHA staff working directly on information management activities.

Any other duties as may be requested by the OCHA Head of Office (or HIC Manager if appropriate).

IV. Results Expected:

The IMO will be expected to implement or maintain OCHA’s Field Information Management Strategy under the leadership of the Head of Office or HIC Manager. He/she will be expected to provide direct support to OCHA Offices and Humanitarian Information Centres (HIC) in the use of field information management applications and procedures, particularly the standardised Content Management System, the Who does What Where and Contact Directory and the Field Document Management System.  He/she will also contribute to the development and improvement of field information management procedures at the local and regional levels to ensure that information management in the field functions efficiently and provides the best possible functionality and usability to FIS clients and stakeholders.  Some field travel (across the designated field office and/or the region) will be required.

V. Work implies interaction and cooperation with the following actors:

Staff at all levels within OCHA, HICs, NGOs and the humanitarian community as well as national counterparts and donors.

Representatives of other UN humanitarian agencies and other member organizations in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, UN
Mission and Member State personnel with responsibility for information management, humanitarian issues, and non-governmental
organization representatives.

Delegations, government officials, involved actors in the crisis, and partners in universities and research institutes, etc.

Field Information Services Unit in OCHA New York

 
VI. UN COMPETECIES:

The United Nations organizational/core and managerial competencies include:  
(Core) Accountability; Client Orientation; Communication; Commitment to Continuous Learning; Creativity; Planning and Organizing;
Teamwork; and Technological Awareness;
(Managerial) Building Trust; Empowering Others; Managing Performance; Leadership; Judgment/Decision-making; and Vision.      

However, for this particular vacancy announcement, the candidates will be tested for the following core and managerial competencies:

CORE COMPETENCIES:
               
Professionalism
Advanced knowledge of the use of information management in humanitarian response; ability to analyze and articulate the information management requirements of complex situations requiring a coordinated response between disparate actors; demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment to ensure the effective and timely completion of complex tasks; ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters).

Communication
Excellent communication and training (spoken and written) skills including the ability to convey complex information management concepts and recommendations to staff at all levels, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style that can be readily understood by non-information management practitioners.

Teamwork
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision.

Accountability
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates and peers, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Client Orientation
Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; designs solutions and basis recommendations on the principles of usability; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients’ informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.

        Planning and Organizing:
Capacity to develop clear and executable goals that are consistent with agreed overall strategies; Ability to effectively plan own work as well as coordinate and monitor the work of others; Ability to manage conflicting and challenging priorities as well as to work under pressure and/or with limited supervision; Capacity to foresee potential risks/predicaments and to allow for contingencies when planning.  

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES:

Judgment/Decision-making:
Very good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness; ability to provide substantial assistance in developing strategic direction, to effectively plan and establish priorities resulting in an effective work structure; ability to identify key issues in humanitarian situations with the capacity to determine root causes of problems and identify solutions to them; proven ability to objectively consider positive and negative impacts of different courses of action and the willingness to take difficult decisions when necessary.      

Managing Performance:
Ability to delegate appropriate responsibilities, accountabilities, and decision-making authority; some management experience in humanitarian and disaster relief activities; ability to provide assistance in integrating knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives and translating them into a results-orientated work program; ability to ensure that roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines are clear to staff members; ability to monitor progress against milestones and deadlines; ability to encourage risk-taking and support creativity and initiative.  

VII. CREDENTIALS REQUIRED:

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Social Sciences (Information Management), Business Administration (Information Management or Computer Science), Management (Information Management or Information Systems), Geographical Information Science, Geography, Information Management, or in other related field.
A combination of relevant academic background (at least a first level university degree id est Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and extensive relevant professional experience (at least seven years of professional experience) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Professional Experience:
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in information management or in any related field of expertise. The professional experience must include, at least, two (2) years at the international level, preferably, with dispersed operations.

Language requirements:

For all OCHA field duty stations, excellent command (i.e. mastery of verbal and written) of English is a requirement.
For French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian-speaking field duty stations, a pertinent language may be deemed a requirement or only an (strong) asset, which would depend on operational needs of a particular field duty station and will be tested during an interview session, as appropriate.

In light of the above, you are requested to indicate all official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish) that you are familiar with and the level of proficiency.    

Other desirable knowledge/skills:          

Relevant professional experience within the UN common system or at an International NGO in a humanitarian emergency.
Professional experience in the application of information management in humanitarian response.
Qualifications and/or industry certification in the following applications: Microsoft Office (advanced user certification of MS Access, MS
Excel and MS Word desirable) and Lotus Notes.
Knowledge and experience of database development and management.
Knowledge of application of GIS in a humanitarian context
Knowledge of Content Management Systems.

 

VIII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Duration of assignment (normally for a period of twelve months) is strictly contingent upon availability of funds and operational needs.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be entertained.
Qualified female candidates and nationals of non- and under-represented countries at the UN Secretariat are particularly encouraged to apply.
Given the magnitude of incoming applications, only those applicants who are deemed suitable for this particular Roster vacancy announcement
will be contacted for an interview.
OCHA reserves the right to appoint a Rostered candidate, who does not meet the minimum requirements of the post in question, at
a level commensurate with her/his credentials.

OCHA reserves the right to offer Rostered candidates a headquarters or field-based assignment with the duration of less than one year
and/or at one level lower than the advertised vacancy announcement.
Misrepresentation and/or clear inconsistency in the submitted application material may result in elimination from the selection process or
expulsion from the Roster.    
Authenticated diploma(s) of completed university degree(s) will be requested before the placement on the Roster.




Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

All posts are subject to availability of funds.

Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged.

Diploma of completed University degree may be requested in due course.

Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.
OCHA retains the right to offer to suitable candidates similar positions at the same level in other duty stations, as and when required.  For OCHA internal candidates, this is valid for posts at the same level only.

All applicants are requested to email the following documents to the OCHA Human Resources Section/AO at ochava...@un.org :

1. Cover letter, explaining why you consider yourself qualified and motivated for this particular position
2. Completed Summarized Personnel Information Form
3. Completed P-11 and P-11 Supplementary Forms

All Application Forms can be found by clicking on the following link:
http://ocha.unog.ch/OCHAvacancies/

It would be appreciated your stating your full name and the OCHA vacancy notice number (OCHA/G/67/2008) as the subject in your e-mail application.

Please send one email application for every vacancy announcement.