Emergency Response Information Management and Reporting Officer (P-2), LACRO, Panama

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Latin America & Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO)

Terms of Reference

Post Title:         Emergency Response Information Management and Reporting Officer

Contract Type:  Temporary Appointment

Proposed Level: P2

Duration:          8 Months

Duty Station:    LACRO – Panama City

Supervisor:       Regional Adviser Emergency

Date of Entry     1 August 2017

BACKGROUND

Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the world’s regions most vulnerable to a diversity of hazards which have in parts been intensified by climate change: hurricanes in Central America and the Caribbean; torrential rains and flash flooding across the continent; prolonged droughts in Central America and the Gran Chaco region of South America; cold waves in the mountainous regions; large scale fires in South America; and volcanic activity and earthquakes along the Pacific coast and in the Caribbean. These disasters result in forced displacements and expose children to increased risk of exploitation and abuse.

ROLE AND OBJECTIVES OF LACRO in the REGION

UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO) works to reinforce country offices, partner and national counterpart capacity to respond to emergencies, in accordance with the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs) and within the principles of Humanitarian Reform and the inter-agency Transformative Agenda. At regional and country office (CO) level UNICEF works with interagency partners to ensure more focused cost effective and coherent humanitarian work in the region, while building up emergency preparedness through interagency cooperation.

LACRO supports COs, partners and national counterparts to build more resilient systems, communities and societies, so they can better resist, absorb and recover from disasters. This includes a multi-sectorial approach to address vulnerabilities and risks to children and women’s well-being including school preparedness and education about disasters and consequent risks; strong water and sanitation systems to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change and post-crisis water related diseases; surveillance, early detection and treatment of malnutrition in drought and disaster-prone areas; social cohesion and violence reduction; and prevention and response to all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse of women and children in emergencies. This approach combines strengthening national capacities while developing local capacity for disaster risk reduction. UNICEF aims to strengthening and promote governments’ leadership of sectorial coordination of emergencies, including clusters when activated. The regional office works to promote national humanitarian policies in line with the CCCs, while providing technical support and training to national counterparts for preparedness and response.

PURPOSE

Under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Chief of Emergency, the Regional Emergency Response Information Management and Reporting (IM) will be responsible for designing and putting in place a sustainable information management mechanism that enables regular substantial multi-sectorial reporting that could contribute to COs preparedness and response and adequate Regional Office follow up. IM mechanism in place should stimulate and facilitate timely capture, systematization, analysis, reporting, dissemination and archive of key information for adequate decision making and evidence-based advocacy.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

KEY END-RESULTS

• Conduct an analysis of the gaps and needs for information products and management in emergency related themes within the Emergency Unit and among country offices and LACRO sections to clearly identify information gaps, IM Products priorities as well as feasible and sustainable targets in terms of IM and reporting.

• Mapping of Key IM essential products required, both at regional and national level. Identifying a feasible flow to produce them and a simple methodology to adapt essential products for different audiences (country offices, LACRO, partners, donors, academic etc.) based on the gap and need analysis and existing knowledge.

• Creating digital compilation of documents (editorial tasks of reviewing content and metadata for inclusion into the digital collection and assistance in the coordination of the digital library development and dissemination).  

• Identify and regularly disseminate relevant thematic Program information. This includes developing a plan with specific knowledge management “products” to produce during the year, which may contain, regularly update the UNICEF LACRO web page and provide support to Communication Unit in documenting and collecting information for dissemination.

• Develop and facilitate a user-friendly documentation of good practices of regional and country-led initiatives in the realm of child-sensitive EPR, DRR and CCA for community of practice and advocacy purposes.

• Explore ways of looking across activities per each programme components and compile existing and new toolkits, training modules, information papers, success stories, etc.

• Create a training catalogue for the Emergency Programme, working in consultation with regional and global colleagues, as well as REDLAC member organizations.   

• Nurture a culture for evidence based (Data-driven) analysis to facilitate planning, adjusting, and scaling-up Emergency initiatives. Support the communication and sharing information systems with other networks in the regional and beyond.

• Liaise, organize and facilitate exchange between LACRO and other UNICEF community of practice activities (CoP) at regional and global level.

• Support UNICEF LAC Emergency programme at regional and country levels so that they are effectively visible and accesible.

• Linking Humanitarian and Development - Establish mechanism to ensure information facilitates cross-fertilization between sectors within Country Offices and in the Regional Office.

• Regularly disseminate relevant thematic programme information amongst the country offices and regional sections.

• Identify and regularly disseminate relevant thematic Program information among social media and another relevant mass media. This includes developing a plan with specific knowledge management “products” to produce during the year, which may contain, regularly update the UNICEF LACRO web page and provide support to Communication Unit in documenting and collecting information for dissemination.

• Support Information Management during emergencies as well as the preparation of Emergency Sitreps and reporting.

• Contribute to the design and implementation of relevant emergency and risk related research.

• Prepare written Unit documents including briefing notes, mid and year end and donor reports.

• Train UNICEF relevant staff in the region to enhance emergency IM capacities at regional and CO level.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education:

Master’s degree in international affairs, relations, human rights, economics, business, political science, environment or related fields.

Work Experience:

At least 5 years’ relevant experience with developing information systems, database design, data management, including academic data bases, analysis and/or reporting. Demonstrated experience in partner-networking, research and analysis. Experience in data visualization and GIS, map production and capacity building to give "hands-on" training on information management and reporting. Proficient in use of GIS, Excel, SPSS or STATA and other related software packages. At least one instance of exposure to emergency response programming and or preparedness planning. Active involvement in humanitarian crisis response programmes preferred.

Languages:

Fluency in English and Spanish. Adequate proficiency of French would be an asset.

Other skills and Attributes

• Capacity to work in stressful conditions.

• Flexibility and adaptability to shifting conditions and work demands.

• Capacity to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with RO and CO colleagues and external partners.

• High level of Integrity and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.

• Analytical and conceptual ability, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.

Competencies: Highly responsible individual with the following competencies:

• Adapting and Responding to Change Level 2  

• Applying Technical Expertise Level 2  

• Communication Level 1

• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks Level 2

• Drive for Results Level 2

• Persuading and Influencing Level 2  

• Planning and Organizing Level 1

• Working with People Level 2

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 organization.