Programme Officer (Information Management), P-3. UN Secretariat, OCHA, Geneva. Open until 31 December 2010

Job Title:
PROGRAMME OFFICER (INFORMATION MANAGEMENT), P3
Department/ Office:
OFFICE OF THE EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR - GVAO
Duty Station: GENEVA


Posting Period:
1 November 2010-31 December 2010
Job Opening number:
10-PGM-ocha gvao-15370-R-GENEVA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Return to Previous Page

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Org .Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Information Services Section (ISS), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Geneva, Switzerland. The Programme Officer reports to the Chief of the Information Services Section, or designate.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned information management projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Provides advisory services on information management approaches and practices in disaster preparedness and response, including: needs and business process analysis; collection, processing and analysis of data and information; and information management policies and procedures, with an emphasis on technological applications.
• Researches, analyses and evaluates new applications of information systems, technology and processes to the management of information in disasters and/or complex emergencies and makes recommendations for their deployment.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, meeting minutes etc. related to information management practices in disaster preparedness and response.
• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on information management practices in disaster preparedness and response.
• Develops detailed system and other functional specifications and standards for managing information in disasters and/or complex emergencies, including the development of training materials and user manuals.
• Participates in large, complex projects, to include disaster assessment or other missions; assists in the coordination of international humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations and in ensuring the necessary support (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.); undertakes and provides support to technical assistance and other field missions, e.g. participates in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific country coordination mechanisms.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Core Competencies:
Professionalism:
- Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches to the management of information in disaster contexts and complex emergencies
- Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems
- Ability to conduct data collection using various methods
- Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis on the management of information in disaster contexts, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases
-Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities
-Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
- Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:
-Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
-Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
-Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
-Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
-Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Planning & Organizing:
-Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
-Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
-Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
-Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
-Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
-Uses time efficiently

Creativity:
-Actively seeks to improve programmes or services
-Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs
-Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas
-Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box"
-Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things
-Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches

Technological Awareness:
-Keeps abreast of available technology
-Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office
-Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks
-Shows willingness to learn new technology

Commitment to Continuous Learning:
-Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession
-Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally
-Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates
-Shows willingness to learn from others
-Seeks feedback to learn and improve

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Disaster Management, Emergency Management, Geographic Information Systems, Information Management, Information Systems, Social Sciences or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in managing information in a disaster management, emergency management, humanitarian crisis or related context is required. Relevant experience managing information in a disaster at the international level is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Assessment Method

Selected eligible candidates will be required to undertake a technical test and complete a case study on the management of information in a major natural disaster. Short-listed candidates will then be invited to undertaken a competency based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules and procedures. For this post the staff member will be required to travel extensively to developing countries, often into highly stressful environments (civil strife and/or natural disasters). Deployments, which are often at short notice, can be for up to eight weeks at a time. The staff member will be required to periodically register for OCHA’s Emergency Response Roster and be available to deploy with United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams if required. Extension of the appointment is subject to the availability of the extra-budgetary funds.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.