Information Management Officer, P-3. OCHA, Geneva. Open until 27 December 2011

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


Posting Period:
28 October 2011-27 December 2011
Job Opening number:
11-IMA-OCHA GVAO-21172-R-GENEVA


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


Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Advocacy and Visual Media Unit, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Geneva, Switzerland. The Programme Officer reports to the Head of Advocacy and Visual Media Unit, or designate.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the incumbent will discharge the following functions: Manage information to support OCHA and the UN system, as well as partner organizations, prevent, mitigate, manage, and recover from humanitarian disasters and emergencies. Determine the primary data and information elements that are required internally and externally to support humanitarian decision-making. Support strategic and operational decision making by processing and analyzing data and information and presenting it in the format most useful for analysis (e.g. reports, maps). Develop a client-oriented approach with all relevant stakeholders to help identify their priority information requirements. Design and implement a dissemination plan for all information products produced by OCHA (e.g. situation reports, data, maps). Provide training to OCHA staff on OCHA’s information systems and standards. Undertake data preparedness activities in support of OCHA’s response preparedness and contingency planning efforts. Establish and maintain an information network to facilitate humanitarian information exchange and the promotion of data and information sharing protocols, in particular those developed and endorsed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. If necessary, oversee technical staff in the development of databases and other applications to support the collection and processing of context specific data (e.g.: affected population, displaced populations, demographic and vulnerability data, results of common rapid needs assessment etc.). Support the advocacy, communication and reporting functions of the office through the collection, processing, storage and retrieval of documents, including images, of emergencies and vulnerability, as well as relief operations. In collaboration with the Information Services Section and Advocacy and Visual Media Unit, apply global information management standards, policies and procedures to guide related activities within the OCHA Office. Any other duties as may be requested by the Head of AVMU.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the use of information management in humanitarian emergency, crisis management or disaster management contexts; ability to analyze 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 extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters); and 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 communications; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

CLIENT ORIENTATION: considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: 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; and uses time efficiently.

MANAGING PERFORMANCE: delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration (Information Management), Disaster and Emergency Management, Geographic Information Systems, Information Management, Statistics, or Social Sciences, or related area. A first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with qualifying relevant professional experience (at least seven years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in managing information in a crisis management, disaster management, emergency management, humanitarian emergency or recovery context. Relevant international field experience in any of these areas is desirable. Qualifications and/or certification in the following applications are desirable: MS Access, MS Excel, ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suit, or similar applications.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic, French, or Spanish is desirable.

Assessment Method

Competency based interview. Technical test may be required.

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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.

No Fee

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