Information Management Specialist

Job Title: Information Management Specialist

Organization: UNICEF

Job no: 565343
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Duty Station: Kabul
Level: P-3
Location: Afghanistan
Categories: Health

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a future!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1xkXZs0cAQ

How can you make a difference?

I. Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The Afghanistan Health system made considerable progress over the period of 2003-2021. Data from household surveys between 2003 and 2018 show significant improvement in the coverage of reproductive, maternal and child health services. The number of functional health facilities increased from 498 in 2002 to 2,725 in 2017 and the proportion of health facilities with skilled female health workers increased from 25% to 95.2% (MOPH HMIS department). The number of Community Health Workers (CHWs) increased from 2,682 in 2005 to 29,596 in 2017 (MoPH, CBHC department). Coverage of skilled birth attendance (SBA) for women in rural areas has increased from 4% to 59% and antenatal care (ANC) coverage from 8% to 61% between 2013 and 2018. However, Afghanistan does have a robust DHIS system in place for data and information management, which UNICEF is using as a primary data source, there exist significant gaps in terms of monitoring systems to validate the information and ensure timely provision of data and real-time monitoring system. 

Job organizational context 

UNICEF Afghanistan monitors its delivery against its approved Country Programme, including progress against the respective milestones which are set each year. The Country Programme has a mid-term and annual review and an end-of-cycle review. Progress on output level results is assessed during these reviews and data is managed through the Results Assessment Module (RAM) system at UNICEF HQ.  

Monitoring of the implementation of projects delivered by UNICEF Afghanistan and its implementing partners occurs throughout the year. UNICEF Afghanistan adopts a risk-based approach in relation to monitoring its implementing partners’ activities and results. Specifically, the level of monitoring it undertakes is determined by the risk assessment made of each partner during its due diligence/capacity assessment.

Purpose for the job

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the M&E Manager, in close collaboration with the Health Section and Programme Monitoring and Evaluation section. This position is based in the Afghanistan Country Office in Kabul, Afghanistan, with frequent travel to the field.

II. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

• Maintain and develop data repository and dissemination tools 
• Support in the development and implementation of standardized and harmonised data collection tools across sectors. This includes real-time data collection tools while using ONA.
• Maintain and further refine centralized digital platform that collates programme performance data from implementing partners, field offices and sections. Centralized database should be updated on monthly basis to generate HPM indicators progress report for SitRep reporting.
• Maintain and further refine centralized digital field monitoring system that collates field monitoring observations collected via ODK platform;
• Strengthen and further roll out new initiatives such as the digital community feedback mechanism, in collaboration with the PMU.
• Contribute to the roll-out of the new initiative on supply end-user monitoring in collaboration with Supply section.
• Ensure consistency in disaggregated data collection, data cleaning, analysis and reporting for monthly situation updates, across hubs using data sources, such as the 4W matrix and sector data collection
• Support in data quality and assurance for quantitative data generation for the country office
• Support in digital tool development for monitoring and reporting products including UNICEF wide ICT4D/ ONA/ODK and eTools platforms.

Data visualization products

• Produce clear and concise data visualization products (e.g. maps, dashboards, infographics) as required
• Respond to data visualization requests, including delivery of products to support reporting, advocacy and resource mobilization efforts.
• Collaborate with sections and field offices in producing sector and state specific information products.
• Develop and maintain catalogues of IM and data products, including maps and assessments.
• Strengthen the capacity of programme officers, especially sector specific IM/M&E focal person in data visualization.
• Regularly publish office-wide bi-weekly/monthly dashboards.

Capacity building, knowledge exchange and dissemination

• Conduct IM/GIS support missions and capacity building events for programme officers at section and field level, particularly targeting national staff, with a view towards building national capacity.
• Mentor and coach IM, M&E and programme staff on IM and M&E.
• Support the development of effective methods and platforms to standardize and share information.
• Support the management of Section-wide information management repository i.e. share-point and related platforms.

Support Data Analysis and Utilization of Health Sector Service Providers

• Engage and coordinate IM efforts with UN and other partners to explore complementary data initiatives.
• Identify the monitoring needs, priorities, and activities required for effective Health sector Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans.
• ensure sound data flow and analysis of UNICEF Health Sector its partners performance as per the commitments made by UNICEF in undertaking all significant health projects
• support data analysis for performance monitoring of UNCEF supported service providers, including the capacity to improving volume and quality of Health and Nutrition services
• promote the use of data through producing reader friendly and customized data packs, health infographics.
• Support data analysis from macro level surveys including MICS, HMIS and Third-Party Monitoring data sets.

III. Impact of Results

• It is expected that the expertise of the IM Specialist will significantly positively impact health section efforts and the overall UNICEF child survival and development agenda in Afghanistan with the provision of timely and quality information for informed decisions making, infographs and dashboards. 
• The efficacy and efficiency of the assistance provided in program monitoring and evaluation and surveys will improve the quality of health interventions.
• Timely response and quality reports to donors and partners.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (master's or higher) in information management, computer sciences, social sciences, statistics, planning development, public health, or related field
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in programme development and implementation, including monitoring and evaluation activities
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies is considered an asset
• Experience in programming languages like Python, R, and SQL is an asset
• Strong Excel skills, PowerBI and dashboards is required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness(3)Drive to achieve results for impact(4)Innovates and embraces change(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity(6)Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Advertised: 28 Aug 2023 Afghanistan Standard Time
Deadline: 18 Sep 2023 Afghanistan Standard Time

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