Job Title: Information Management Associate
Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Host entity: UNRCO
Assignment country: Sri Lanka
Expected start date: 17/07/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Colombo
Details
Mission and objectives
Thirteen years after the end of the armed conflict, Sri
Lanka has not returned to active conflict and has remained a largely peaceful
country. However, stresses on peace and social cohesion remain, including new
fault lines, exacerbated by the Easter Bombings of 2019, the current economic
crisis and the legacy of the armed conflict which are not yet fully addressed.
While a return to armed conflict is not viewed as a near-term risk, Sustaining
Peace requires continuous engagement in addressing existing challenges,
improving governance and social cohesion, as well as the robust monitoring of
emerging risks. There has been a growing recognition of the need to
systematically mainstream conflict sensitive approaches into all programme activities
in the country. In this context, the UN in Sri Lanka has in recent years
continued to invest in a wide portfolio of peacebuilding priorities, including
those supported by the UN Peace Building Fund. Among the peacebuilding
priorities has been developing a deep contextual analysis of emerging risks
such as climate security and land use, organized crime, and the impact of
online hate speech that would support the Secretary General’s global agenda on
Prevention. Looking ahead, the main instruments to advance these priorities
will be the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework
(UNSDCF) 2023-2027 and the UN SDG Multi Partner Trust Fund. Through increased
coordination around these two mechanisms, the United Nations Country Team
(UNCT) is expected to significantly increase integrated approaches and joint
programming in support of Sustaining Peace and more broadly, SDG 16
Context
This UNV assignment is part of UN Office for Resident
Coordinator to provide the administration and coordination support to the
Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) for its HNP related work. At the request of the
Government of Sri Lanka, the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) launched the
Humanitarian Needs and Priorities Plan (HNP) on 9 June 2022, targeting 3.4
million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Against an ask of $149.7
million in humanitarian funding, the HNP centered around three strategic
objectives: (1) to save lives through the provision of food assistance,
essential medicines, targeted nutrition services, safe drinking water and
emergency livelihood support for the most vulnerable; (2) to provide immediate
agricultural support that allows the resumption of basic productive activities
for the maintenance of livelihoods and food security; and (3) to provide
protection from violence, especially for vulnerable groups, and prevent and
mitigate other protection risks through timely assistance, including mental
health and psycho-social support and education. These objectives and
corresponding priority needs were implemented through five sectors centred
around Food Security; Agriculture and Livelihoods; Nutrition and WASH; Health;
and Protection (including Gender-Based Violence and Child Protection) and
Education. Building on already present capacities of humanitarian actors in Sri
Lanka, including UN agencies, international and local NGOs, as well as
institutional knowledge of responding to large scale natural disasters, the
process of strengthening humanitarian coordination structures with the launch
of the HNP was completed rapidly. With the support from OCHA, Humanitarian
Country Team (HCT) meetings became more regular, as did Inter Sector
Coordination Group (ISCG) and sector specific meetings. Areas where the need
for a substantive scaling-up of coordination became evident included
information management cash-based interventions, where dedicated working groups
strengthened. By the end of 2022, more than 30 humanitarian assessments had
been completed across all sectors, including food security, nutrition and protection.
Assessments continue into 2023, and another large-scale Crop and Food Security
Assessment Mission (CFSAM) is planned for March and April of this year. Much of
the response planning for the Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) plan
relied on assessment results, and ongoing monitoring of project implementation
allowed for making subsequent adjustments as necessary. The objective of this
assignment is to support the maintenance of joint-up information management,
data and reporting products, in particular the 5W dashboard. The 5W data
collection tool is designed to provide essential information regarding which
organizations (Who) are carrying out which activities (What) in which locations
(Where) in Which period (When) for which beneficiaries (Whom). This information
is essential to cluster coordinators and organizations to coordinate their
activities effectivity, reach their targets on time and ensure that
humanitarian needs met without gaps or duplication. The Management Information
Associate will support with the maintenance of joint-up information management,
data and reporting products. On the job training on specialized skills or
platforms would be provided in collaboration with the OCHA Regional Office for
Asia-Pacific.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of
Humanitarian and Resilience Officer or his/her designated mandated
representative(s), the UNV Information Management Associate will: 1. Support
effective data management focusing on the achievement of the following results:
· Ensure availability of
up-to-date information for informed decision making by RCO and sectors by
consistently updating and maintaining the existing databases. · Support creation of new
databases or spreadsheet solutions to meet the information requirements of RCO
and the stakeholders. ·
Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources to maintain
databases/database systems. ·
Analyze and interpret data and participate in the ongoing report preparation
and dissemination. ·
Develop data collection tools including use of online data collection platform
such as KoBo toolbox, setup appropriate data collection methodologies, design
and implement database systems and spreadsheets for data management, train
partners/enumerators and analyse data. ·
Manage information management process to maintain key databases and provide
regular updates, particularly on: o Who Does, What, Where (5W) o Assessment
registry o Contact Database o Funding ·
Other coordination tools as needed 2. Create information products focusing on
the achievement of the following results: ·
Produce and update information products such as reports, charts and
infographics by turning data into graphical products to convey messages and a
storyline; develop advocacy materials including presentations and other visual
materials. ·
Develop maps, snapshot and dashboards using standard templates and styles. · Develop and maintain
online dashboard (ideally PowerBI) of key information such as 5Ws, funding etc.
· Promptly attends to the requirements
of stakeholders by disseminating mapping and other information products through
suitable media, i.e. print, email, etc. ·
Effective contribution of maintaining a repository of important raw data such
as spreadsheets, geo-datasets, and other databases of operational information.
3. Ensure effective information management coordination focusing on the
achievement of the following results: ·
Support the functioning of the Information Management Working Group. · Support the management of
contents on Humanitarian Response Platform and other relevant web platforms,
provide overall quality control for the platform and ensure content is current,
comprehensive and follows relevant metadata standards. · Provision of inputs and support
to the production of situation reports as required on the humanitarian
situation. ·
Engage with IM officers of other UN agencies and organizations to access and
develop situational analysis. ·
Liaison with OCHA ROAP office for information management related standards and
guidelines. 4. Provide effective support to the HCT and the RCO focusing on the
achievement of the following results: ·
Provide up-to-date information, briefing packs and analysis of the situation,
needs and response progress. ·
Consolidate operational information on a regular schedule, perform data
analysis and feed into advocacy and communication process. · Provide information
management support to emergency preparedness and contingency planning process. · Support to RCO for ad-hoc
products.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 - 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the
country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in ·
Advanced higher degree (bachelor's or equivalent) in a relevant discipline · Minimum 2 years of
professional work experience either in information management and data
visualization or the development/humanitarian sector, ideally with knowledge of
both. Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge: · Skills in infographic and
dashboard development are an asset. ·
Experience with Data management, Visualization (ArcGIS/QGIS, Adobe or
equivalent open- source tools and PowerBI) is an asset. · Relevant experience in
development, humanitarian or the NGO sector is desirable. · Accuracy and
professionalism in document production and editing. · Excellent interpersonal skills;
culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and
collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community
members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different
levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for
development. ·
Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging
environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of
international and national personnel; ·Solid
overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office
applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database
management; and office technology equipment; ·
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with
tight deadlines.
Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Communication, Information technology
Driving license
-
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Sinhalese, Level: Working
knowledge, Required Tamil, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in information management,
information systems, web management, data management, geographic information
systems & mapping, data visualization, or other related area is required.
Competencies and values
• Planning and organizing • Professionalism • Teamwork and
respect for diversity • Client Orientation • Integrity: • Commitment to
continuous learning • Flexibility
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Sri Lanka is an island nation located off the south coast of
India. An estimated population of around 21 million people is sheltered in this
multi-ethnic, multi- cultural and multi- religious country. Colombo is situated
in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the
country. The city is located on the west coast of the island, adjacent to the
administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Bandaranaike International
Airport is located 35km from Colombo and is served by the main international
airlines. Sri Lanka is a tropical country with moderate temperature and high
humidity all throughout the year. Average temperature in Colombo ranges between
27 and 30 degrees Celsius. The island experiences two main monsoon seasons,
where heavy rainfalls occur, from May to August and October to January. Rice
and curry comprise the main dishes. Sri Lankan cuisine tends to be quite spicy.
There are hotels and other types of accommodation options available in Colombo.
Supermarkets, banking and medical facilities are present within the city.
Telephone and Internet service is widely available. Phone plans and data are
inexpensive; however, it should not be expected that the internet services work
consistently or at a high speed. At present Sri Lanka is undergoing high
inflation and an economic crisis. The public unrest and protests are common.
The prices of common commodities fluctuate on a daily basis and shortages can
also be experienced. Main health advisories are related COVID 19 and Dengue,
which is also highly prevalent in Sri Lanka, especially after the rainy
seasons. Mosquito repellent is available in all local drug stores. Sri Lanka is
a unique country and UN is providing unique humanitarian operations in Sri
Lanka. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also
requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more resilience and
commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore,
flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in challenging
conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. As
this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be
responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.
National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme
that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to
achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part
of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to
combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights
and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender
identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability,
pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be
subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2
(Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
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