Emergency Information Management Officer - UNICEF Kenya (NOB)

Support visualization, collection and maintenance of primary data and information elements, in humanitarian context and UNICEF Humanitarian response, that are required internally and externally to support humanitarian decision-making Identify secondary data and information resources relevant for and prior to deployment for rapid onset emergency response. Liaise with UNICEF M&E section to gather and share information – especially for background data and sources of information in-country. Maintain and update GIS data set and produce Cartography and infographics as requested across the sectors.

Below average performance of the 2016 short and long rains has led to a severe drought in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) of Kenya. As a consequence the food insecure population in Kenya has more than doubled over a six-month period.  It is estimated that 2.7 million people in Kenya are now in need of relief assistance, from 1.3 million in August 2016^[1]. This includes 300,000 people in non-Arid and Semi-Arid (non-ASAL) counties affected by crop failures and decline of yields. Most vulnerable are children under 5 years, mothers, the elderly and the sick. Turkana North, North Horr of Marsabit, and Mandera have reported critical levels (GAM >30per cent) of acute malnutrition. Approximately 35 per cent of rural water points were non-functional even before the drought; now it is estimated that an additional 20 per cent of water points have broken down or dried up in some areas. The cost of water has risen up to ten-folds in some counties as water points are breaking down due to extra demands or drying up.

The government of Kenya has signed a cabinet memo in November 2016 to allocate Ksh 210 million for the drought response, but these funds have still to be put to full use. The President of Kenya has declared the ongoing drought a national disaster on 10 February 2017, with a call for international support. Several county assemblies have voted re-alignment of development budget to drought emergency response. With devolution, the primary responsibility for disaster preparedness and response now lies at the county level and newly formed county executive committees have variable capacity levels for disaster preparedness and response. The central government disaster management system relies on sketchy mechanisms and institutions that are ill prepared for managing disaster in the new devolved governance landscape. The management of the on-going drought response has demonstrated weakness in the coordination, communication and information management between national and county level.

In view of the above situation, an Emergency Information Management Officer is required to strengthen the multi-sector information management capacity of UNICEF and government to manage multi-dimensional information flows and provide solid evidence to decision makers on needs and gaps in key sector influencing the lives of the most affected children's and women in emergency.

 Scope of Work

 Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Field Operations and Emergency the key responsibilities of the post will be as follows: 

1. Support visualization, collection and maintenance of primary data and information elements, in humanitarian context and UNICEF Humanitarian response, that are required internally and externally to support humanitarian decision-making
2. Identify secondary data and information resources relevant for and prior to deployment for rapid onset emergency response. Liaise with UNICEF M&E section to gather and share information – especially for background data and sources of information in-country
3. Maintain and update GIS data set and produce Cartography and infographics as requested across the sectors.
4. Assist in strategic and operational decision-making by coordinating the processing and analysis of data and presenting it in the format most useful for analysis (e.g. reports, maps) using latest data visualisation and mapping technologies.
5. Participate, advise and ensure adherence to information management system during field assessment.
6. Identify barriers for humanitarian information collection, collation, analysis and sharing. Work with the sector coordinator/emergency focal point to develop appropriate supportive strategies for collecting and sharing data/information by providing a timely, added value service to all stakeholders.
7. Liaise with OCHA and IM Focal Points in other sector/clusters – share information as appropriate and identify and gather information from other sector/clusters which can inform sector response and preparedness decisions.
8. Assist in structured development and dissemination of UNICEF information products and services (e.g. reports, data and maps) through internally and to external partners (OCHA, donors, UN agencies, government): for example, hard copy, email list and websites.
9. Work in close collaboration with communication team to provide update contents on the UNICEF website, twitter and humanitarian products;
10. Promote and support capacity building of UNICEF staff, sector partners, Government personnel as required on information managements and simple mapping with M&E section.
11. Be the responsible for organising FO&E UNICEF shared drive and innovation in utilisation of One drive cloud.
12. Any other duties as may be requested by Chief of Field Operation and Emergency.

Results expected: support achievement of section objectives through the provision of high-quality information products and services, which give UNICEF sections and partners access to essential information for better analysis and decision-making. 

Desired background and experience

QUALIFICATION and COMPETENCIES (indicates the level of proficiency required for the job.)

Education: University degree in Information Management (Geographic Sciences, Information Technology, Information Systems, Statistics) or Social Sciences, Humanitarian Studies, International Relations with specialized training in data/information management or/and graphics design and visualization.

Technical Skills:  Strong background with information management in humanitarian contexts with specific focus on:

• Strong knowledge of Excel and MS Access.
• Ability to present information in understandable tables, charts, graphs, maps and Infograph
• GIS and mapping using ESRI ArcGIS or open source software (preferable)
• Data management skills
• Communications and writing skills, using both graphic and narrative presentations

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional work experience – including field experiences in information management and development of information products with visualization in an international development or humanitarian setting.
• Willingness and ability to work in difficult environments, in often stressful, time-critical situations.
• Experience/exposure in humanitarian coordination mechanism.
• Excellent technical capacities to ensure smooth and high quality production
• Experience in working with state institution, NGOs and local authorities, working in the local development and the public administration field.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• The ability to provide quality products, with minimum supervision and to tight deadlines.

Competency Profile (For details on competencies please refer to UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.)  

1. i) Core Values (Required)

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

1. ii) Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication [I]
• Working with People [I]
• Drive for Results [I]

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

• Analyzing [II]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [I]
• Applying Technical Expertise [II]
• Planning and Organizing [I]

1. iv) Technical Knowledge[2]

Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job)

(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.) 

• Data management and analytical skills
• Must have strong knowledge of Excel and MS word. And of other IM and GIS software.
• Ability to present information in understandable tables, charts and graphs
• Communications and writing skills, using both graphic and narrative presentations
• Knowledge of global/Kenyan humanitarian issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.
• Knowledge of UN humanitarian reform principles and OCHA IM mechanism.

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.