UNDP. Myanmar Information Management Unit Manager, P-4. Open until 31 May 2010

MYANMAR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT UNIT MANAGER (MIMU) - RE-ADVERTISED
Location : Yangon, MYANMAR
Application Deadline : 31-May-10
Additional Category Management
Type of Contract : TA International
Post Level : P-4
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected canditate is expected to start) 30-Jun-2010
Duration of Initial Contract : 5 months
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Background
In 2004 The Vulnerability Unit was established, under the office of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), to provide data management and analysis of key indicators to better inform the UN Country Team on the needs of vulnerable populations. In 2007, recognizing the need for centralized information management and collaboration among all humanitarian and development actors, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and UN Country Team have endorsed an expanded role of the Vulnerability Unit. As the Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU) the unit will now act as a common service to humanitarian and development partners, supporting coordination and decision-making by providing information analysis, products and services, and by promoting a common framework for data collection and management.

The IMU Manager, as the senior staff member, is responsible for the overall management of the Unit and staff as well as providing strategic and technical guidance in information management to the IASC Country Team. The IMU Manager will report to the UN RC/HC, with direction from the IASC Steering Committee, and supervise technical staff.


Duties and Responsibilities
Provide strategic guidance to the Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator, IASC/UN Country Team and stakeholders on data and information management for effective humanitarian and development programming;
Develop strategies to ensure availability of data necessary to support coordination and decision-making, with an emphasis on supporting common indicators and common needs assessment initiatives;
Liaise with UN agencies, NGOs, Sector/Cluster coordination groups, governmental actors and other partners to help identify their information requirements and to ensure that the information needed to support humanitarian coordination and operations is made commonly available;
Promote data standards (including Place Codes), develop standardized data collection and dissemination tools and processes, and support other information-sharing protocols, and the use of standardized metadata; Establish and lead inter-agency information management working group(s) to promote information-sharing, data standardization and interoperability and where appropriate, joint data development initiatives;
Manage the development and maintenance of common databases and templates that support coordination and information-based decision making;
Ensure necessary data and staff support for Geographic Information Systems development, mapping and analysis;
Conduct both simple and multi-dimensional analyses and seek ways of linking quantitative and qualitative information and analysis across sectors;
Ensure that the Unit provides timely, high-quality and demand driven information products and services;
Maximize the extent that information and data is shared and disseminated among the IASC/UN Country Team and other humanitarian partners, ever mindful of sensitivity issues;
Represent the Unit through briefings and other activities to the wider humanitarian community and provide reports on Unit activities as requested;
Supervise the strategic and day-to-day management of the unit; Recruit, manage and train IMU staff in the performance of their duties, including staff development and regular assessment as well as providing support in key technical areas where possible


Competencies
Professionalism:

Advanced knowledge of the use of information management in humanitarian response; highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative ability to identify 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 pressure including in stressful environments (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters);
Communication:

Excellent communication and training 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 easily 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;
Planning and Organizing:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as needed; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Accountability:

Takes ownership of responsibilities and honors commitments; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates and peers, provides oversight and takes overall responsibility for delegated assignments.
Client Orientation:

Views information services and products from a client perspective; 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 to provide proactive solutions and anticipate problems; keeps clients’ informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.
Judgment/Decision-making:

Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision.
Commitment to Continuous Learning:

Demonstrated history of keeping abreast of new developments in the field plus a commitment to continuous learning.


Required Skills and Experience
Education :

Advanced degree, preferably in humanitarian affairs, information management, political science, development studies, social sciences or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area;
Experience :

A minimum of 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience, including management experience in information management, humanitarian affairs, emergency relief management, rehabilitation or development, or a related field for an UN Agency or NGO in an humanitarian or development environment;
Demonstrated experience in understanding, managing and analyzing information at a strategic level and a clear understanding of how information can be used to improve humanitarian assistance delivery and development projects;
Excellent inter-personal and liaison skills - to have the ability to work with UN Heads of Agency, IASC members, NGOs and senior government officials to build relationships and ensure cooperation;
Knowledge of information management technical tools, including database development and use of GIS systems;
Demonstrated ability to properly prioritize and manage complex operational tasks in a difficult environment;
Possesses a strong service orientation;
Launguage Requirements:

Fluency in both written and spoken English. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
Note:

For those who applied before need not re-apply, your application will be considered for the final evaluation.



UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.