General

Description of assignment title: Information Management Specialist

Assignment country: Somalia

Expected start date: 07/01/2022

Sustainable Development Goal: 10. Reduced inequalities

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: UNOCHA

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Nairobi

Details

Mission and objectives

The humanitarian crisis in Somalia is among the most complex and long-standing in the world. Cycles of internal conflict and widespread violence have fragmented the country, undermine development efforts and perpetuate high levels of humanitarian needs and protection concerns. These are further exacerbated by increasingly frequent and intense natural disasters. Some 5.9 million people need humanitarian assistance, of whom 2.9 million are internally displaced persons (IDPs). Many IDPs have been displaced from their homes for decades. They are marginalized and at risk of forced evictions, discrimination and pervasive gender-based violence (GbV). Female-headed households within internally displaced communities are particularly exposed to high risks of sexual exploitation and abuse, with limited recourse to due process and psycho-social support. Conflict and insecurity in southern and central Somalia significantly increased during the first quarter of 2021, driving cycles of displacement, disruptions to livelihood activities, and constraints on trade and humanitarian access. More than 492,000 people were displaced across the country between January and June 2021, primarily due to conflict (73 per cent). The increase in conflict during this period is attributed to both increased insurgent activity and political instability; the relationship and tensions between the Federal Government and Federal Member States are increasingly driving insecurity and needs. OCHA Somalia continues to advocate for enhanced collaboration with development and stability actors with a view to break the cycle of crises and end humanitarian needs. However, given the volatile political context and the election process, risks related to COVID-19 and the gradual withdrawal of the African Union Mission, as well as uncertainty regarding the level of engagement of development and resilience actors in Somalia, it is unlikely that humanitarian needs will substantially decrease in the coming years.

Context

OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. In Somalia, OCHA contributes to principled and effective humanitarian response in Somalia through coordination, advocacy, policy development, information management, and humanitarian financing tools and services. With a country head office in Mogadishu, OCHA Somalia operates through eight sub-offices located across the entire country and a sub-office in Nairobi, Kenya.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Head of Information Management unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• •  Support and maintain the inter-cluster information management network in accordance with IASC guidance to facilitate humanitarian information exchange through the Information Management Assessment Working Group (IMAWG)
  •  Web Management: Manage content on relevant web platforms (HumanitarianResponse.info, ochasomalia.org, etc..), provide overall quality control for the platform and ensure content is up to date; work with external counterparts on related web platforms such as agency and cluster websites and ReliefWeb to facilitate cross site search and interoperability.

•  Data Management: Support in the design, development and management of databases, spreadsheets and excel (such as creation of pivot tables, VLOOKUP, forecasting, etc..), and other data tools, including in support of the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) analysis, and ensure the quality of high-value humanitarian data for accuracy, consistency, and comparability; consolidate operational information on a regular schedule to support analysis.
•  Data Analysis: Organize, design and carry out the evaluation and analysis of location specific datasets through meaningful statistical techniques; participate in the development and revision of data standards (e.g. the Humanitarian Exchange Language, Common Operational Datasets) and advise on the application of these standards into local systems and processes.
•  Interactive visualization: Create interactive visualization using the Power BI – Business data analytics. Collect data from different partners and clusters and create interactive dashboards.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

4 years of experience in

•  National and/or international level in Information Management and Communication
•  Demonstrated proficiency with graphic software and publishing tools (Adobe Creative suite etc.) will be considered an advantage.
•  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;
•  Good knowledge on PowerBI, Adobe Illustrator and InDesign.
•  Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
•  Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, Information technology

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Communication; Information Management

Competencies and values

•  Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to [UNOCHA’s]; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to [UNOCHA] procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
•  Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and [UNOCHA] in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
•  Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
•  Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
•  Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
•  Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
•  Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
•  Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNOCHA’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Nairobi, Kenya security risk level is low to medium. The security situation within Nairobi is calm in most areas. Risks to personnel are reduced by adherence to UN security guidelines, instructions and mitigating measures. Crime rate causes some cause for concern. It is mandatory for all personnel to receive a security briefing upon arrival.

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