Information Management Officer, Education Sector, NO-A, Damascus, Syria (Temporary Appointment)

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT:  

The Information Management Officer (IMO) is one of the core Sector Coordination team members and plays a vital role in collecting, analysing, and sharing information that is important for the stakeholders to make informed (evidence based) strategic decisions on:

1.            the needs of affected populations

2.            the prioritization of these areas according to sector indicators

3.            where there is a need for sectorial partners and to what degree

4.            what are the key gaps in activity and need

Under the overall supervision of the Education Sector Coordinator, the  IMO will support the Education and Child Protection Sectors Coordinators by supporting with the data collection and analysis, and reporting required to make programmatic decisions. 

As such, the IMO to liaise and communicate with many different types of people and agencies and act as a ‘bridge’ between Sector decision makers and technical IM staff.  Fundamental to the job is the ability to present information in a way that is easily understood by the sectors members and the management. 

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:  

1. Information system management:

• Maintain and strengthen Sector databases (e.g. track partner activity, coordinate monthly reporting from partners, etc.).
• Programme-relevant data collection, collation, storage, filtering, analysis and dissemination to inform needs assessment and decision-making.
• When relevant, work with government and or other sectors to make updates to the information management system to reflect changes in needs.
• Undertake data analysis based on the updated dataset and generate tables, graphs and other statistical data products for quality reporting, resource mobilization and communication.

2. Produce relevant information resources:

• Collate and maintain reports from sector partners.
• Work with the WoS IM / Sector Coordinators to develop relevant maps of sector needs and response activities.
• Provide summaries of Sector progress against key indicators as required including HRP activities.

3. Support the understanding and use of the information management system:

• Provide training, support and information to partners/government staff on the information system, tools and reports including provision for gender and age disaggregation of data and reporting on particularly vulnerable groups.
• Encourage and support partners to report to the Sector by providing clear instructions in simple format and feedback on reporting outcomes.

4. Maintain and continuously update (on monthly basis) the existing IM products of the Sector. In particular:

• The Who does What Where and When (4Ws) database and related products, such as charts and maps.
• Oversee progress and results of the sectors at national and local levels

5. Support the sector in all aspects related to information management:

• Maintain an updated contact list of the Sectors partners, focal points, donors, and other parties of relevance to the Sector.
• Act as Sector IM Focal Point and represent the Sector in the IMWG chaired by OCHA.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:   

Education:   A first university degree level qualification. Preferably in information systems, computer sciences, Information Technology or related fields. Equivalent experience in lieu of relevant degree would be accepted.

Work Experience:  

• Minimum of one year of relevant professional experience in a similar role
• Proven statistical, analytic and technical skills including database management and data analysis, high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), ability to maintain basic websites, ability to produce data summaries and visualizations, GIS knowledge an advantage.

Additional Critical Requirements :

• Prior experience with UN agencies, with a knowledge of key programmatic and sectoral distinctions between education and child protection.
• Prior experience with sectors and subsectors- in terms of understanding their roles vis a vis lead agencies, and the demonstrated ability to work across sectors simultaneously.
• Proven experience with the organization and management of sectoral workshops, coordination meetings.
• Proven experience of communication and networking with various counterparts including local NGOS, INGOs  and government counterparts.

Competency Profile

        i)  Core Values (Required)

                        Commitment       •    Diversity and Inclusion      •     Integrity

        ii)  Core Competencies (Required)

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

        iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

        •  Applying Technical Expertise   [ I ]           •  Relating and Networking  [ I ]   •  Analyzing  [ I ]        

        • Planning and Organising [I]          

        iv) Technical Knowledge  

        a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required

                        • Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.

                        • UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.

                        • Mid-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP)

        b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (the job group)

• Methodology of programme/project management
• UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies.
•  Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
• UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness

        c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.
• UNSECORD training for members of Security Management Team. 

Languages:  

Fluency in English and Arabic.

Duration of contract: One year