Senior Information Management Officer (Field Support)

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior Information Management Officer (Field Support)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Under the supervision of the Chief of Section (FICSS), and in close coordination and consultation with the Senior Information Management Officer (Inter-Agency), the incumbent develops and implements strategies to support field operations in assuming the organisation's responsibilities for Information Management in various contexts.

The Senior Information Management Officer maintains relations with a wide range of partners, facilitating discussions to arrive at consensus on purpose and methodologies for data collection and management. The incumbent works regularly with IM and data management staff in the field, technical staff in the Division(s) and the Bureaux  in Headquarters, and with protection and programme staff in the field to develop consistent and collaborative data gathering and information management (IM) tools. The incumbent is often the reference point for technical advice in regards to information management issues. The incumbent will need to develop and maintain an effective field network of Information Management Officers to provide predictable, modern and appropriate information management and capacity.

The incumbent will identify lessons learned in information management in field operations and propagate best practices.  S/he will identify effective information management tools from country operations, and modify them to suit multiple country contexts, develop guidance related guidance, and make them globally available. An important result is to ensure the coherence of UNHCR¿s data standards with standards developed for inter-agency collaboration and data discovery such as HXL/HDX and UN Metadata standards. As such, the incumbent will need to have solid knowledge of the importance of open data principles and practices, while having an excellent capacity to organize information, communications and set appropriate priorities to meet objectives. In addition to solid professional experience in information management, the incumbent will need to have sharp communications skills and the ability to collect, capture and measure performance against the IM strategy and recommend corrective action where necessary.

The incumbent establishes and manages an inclusive and transparent approach to inter-sector IM coordination. The position supports UNHCR operations and training globally to improve efficiencies in the management of information within UNHCR and with operational partners. This includes UNHCR responsibilities in refugee and Cluster (IDP) environments. The Senior Information Management Officer is also responsible for developing and implementing a communication strategy, which outlines the agency¿s commitment to information management as a core responsibility.
The incumbent will work closely with HQ colleagues to fulfil gaps in staffing by providing functional clearance, maintaining a Roster of skilled deployees and/or being available for deployment as needed. The position supports UNHCR operations via remote, field support and training to improve efficiencies in the management of information within UNHCR and with operational partners.

Together with the Chief of Section (FICSS), the incumbent identifies opportunities within UNHCR¿s partnerships and collaborations for information management.

S/he needs a level of maturity to be able to lead, mentor and coach new team members and remote staff. The incumbent will need to deploy on short notice to potentially insecure work environments for short periods of time, based on operational needs defined by FICSS.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- UNHCR and partners in both refugee and IDP settings have solid information management capacity.
- UNHCR has a global network of Information Management Officers deployed in field operations.
- Coherent and comprehensive operational data is available to partners and staff to support assessment, planning and reporting.
- Sector IM systems and methodologies are coherent and consistent with standards for data capture, management and dissemination.
- UNHCR makes innovative use of data, data management tools and methodologies.
- Innovation and expansion in UNHCR¿s partnerships for information management.
- UNHCR operational data supports planning and delivery in all operational contexts.

Responsibility
- Manage a team within FICSS/Copenhagen and an informal network of technical staff in the field working on operational data management, information management, geographical information management, and related areas.
- Develop and implement communication strategies on information management for both staff and partners.
- Act as a focal point for guidance, coordination and policy development of information pertaining to UNHCR populations of concern, providing support to UNHCR field operations and coordinating inter-section IM activities.
- Oversee the development and dissemination of tools for information management in field operations, including in emergencies and solutions.
- Oversee the definition and dissemination of standards for operational data collection.
- Coordinate efforts to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to information management activities in both cluster and non-cluster operations, as well as in emergencies and solutions operations.
- Support regional IM staff and DESS in ensuring IM products and services are established at the onset of an emergency and are reflected in contingency plans.
- Provide, in collaboration with DESS and Bureau, information management support to field operations, particularly in emergencies, and maintain an emergency roster of deployable Information Management staff.
- Identify and find solutions for information management human resources gaps and obstacles.
- Assist the P5 Chief of FICSS in functional clearance for field-based IMO appointments.
- Assist the P5 Chief of FICSS in updating, monitoring and implementing UNHCR¿s information management strategy in all operations.
- Assist the P4 Senior IMO (Interagency Relations) in the design and delivery of basic and advanced training in information and data management principles and practices.
- In partnership with the P4 Senior IMO (Interagency Relations) in Geneva, assist in UNHCR¿s Annual Programme Review.
- Act as backup of P4 Senior Information Management Officer (Interagency Relations) in Geneva.

Authority
- Selection of standards for UNHCR operational data collection, storage, sharing and disposal.
- Sector IM systems are well coordinated in terms of data inter-operability and data sharing.
- Choice and prioritisation of tools to be developed to support information management in the field.
- Functional clearance for operational and information management officers in the field operations.
- Definition of requirements and methodologies for training of field staff on information management in UNHCR, including training of both IM and non-IM staff.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) in in social sciences, demography, geography, statistics, information management, or related area plus minimum 8 years of experience in international organizations (e.g. UN agencies, INGOs, IOs, bi-lateral cooperation agencies, etc.). Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- A minimum of 5-8 years of proven experience of data analysis in humanitarian or development contexts, with a minimum of 2 years field experience;
- Knowledge of the UN system and the humanitarian community.
- Knowledge of protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators.
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency in word processing and spreadsheets and excellent knowledge of database software. CSPRO and/or other statistical programmes.
- Thorough understanding of inter-agency coordination mechanisms at HQ and field level, as well as forced displacement and protection issues.
- Experience in population data collection, with knowledge of different data collection methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative). Experience in the conception and implementation of profiling exercises is an asset.
- Experience with registration activities in field operations, particularly with IDP populations.
- Ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data and to resolve operational problems.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Additional UN languages are an advantage.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Proficiency in a second official UN language is desirable.
- Successful participation in the Operational Data management Learning Programme is desirable.
- Experience in web design and software development is an asset.
- Experience with relevant software such as ArcGIS, Mapinfo, SPSS, CSPRO and/or other statistical programmes, EpiInfo6, SQL Server, and/or proGres is desirable.
- Experience with HTML, PHP, ASP and/or Java is an asset. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2018 Compendium is Thursday 18 October  2018 (midnight Geneva time).