Background

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In 2004 The Vulnerability Unit was established, under the office of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC), to provide data management and analysis of key indicators to inform the UN Country Team on the needs of vulnerable populations. In 2007, recognizing the need for centralized information management and collaboration among all humanitarian and development actors, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and UN Country Team have endorsed an expanded role of the Vulnerability Unit. As the Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU), the unit will now act as a common service to humanitarian and development partners, supporting coordination and decision-making by providing Information analysis, products and services, and by promoting a common framework for data collection and management.

The Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU) Manager, as the senior staff member, is responsible for the overall management of the Unit and staff as well as providing strategic and technical guidance in Information management to the MC Country Team. The IMU Manager will report to the UN RC/HC, with direction from the IASC Steering Committee, and supervise technical staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Provide strategic guidance to the Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator, IASC/UN Country Team and stakeholders on date and information management for effective humanitarian and development programming;
• Develop strategies to ensure availability of data necessary to support coordination and decision-making, with an emphasis on supporting common indicators and common needs assessment initiatives;
• Liaise with UN agencies, NGOs, Sector/Cluster coordination groups, governmental actors and other partners to help identify their information requirements and to ensure that the information needed to support humanitarian coordination and operations is made commonly available;
• Promote data standards (including Place Codes), develop standardized data collection and dissemination tools and processes, and support other information protocols, and the use of standardized metadata;
• Establish and lead inter-agency information management working group(s) to promote information-sharing, data standardization and interoperability and where appropriate, joint data development initiatives;
• Manage the development and maintenance of common databases and templates that support coordination and information-based decision making including common Indicators: Common Assessment formats, Who, What, Where database, Myainfo (Devinfo platform);
• Ensure necessary data and staff support for Geographic Information Systems development, mapping and analysis;
• Conduct both simple and multi-dimensional analyses and seek ways of linking quantitative and qualitative information and analysis across sectors;
• Ensure that the Unit provides timely, high-quality and demand driven information products and service including: technical support to partners end assistance on data collection, management; base maps, atlases and country gazetteers; thematic maps presenting multi-sectoral information; reports and summaries;
• Maximize the extent that Information and data is shared and disseminated among the IASC/UN Country Team and other humanitarian partners, ever mindful of sensitivity Issues;
• Represent the Unit through briefings and other activities to the wider humanitarian community and provide reports on Un activities as requested;
• Supervise the strategic and day-to-day management of the unit;
• Recruit, manage and train IMU staff in the performance of their duties, including staff development and regular assessment as well as providing support In key technical areas where possible;
• Any other duties as may be requested by the HC/RC, IASC MIMU Steering CommitteeFunction;
• Provide strategic guidance to the Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator, IASC/UN Country Team and stakeholders on data and information management for effective humanitarian and development programming.

Expected Results:

• Humanitarian and development agencies will have a better understanding of the role of information management coordination and more effective use of tools and standards in their operations;
• Development strategies to ensure availability data necessary to support coordination and decision-making with an emphasis on supporting common indicators and common needs assessment initiatives;
• Indicator data compiled from partner assets, assessments and extrapolation using proxy indicators;
• Liaison with UN agencies, NGOs, Sector/Cluster coordination groups, governmental actors and other partners to help identify their information requirements and to ensure that the information needed to support humanitarian coordination and operations is made commonly available;
• Stakeholder agencies familiarized with the function and the products and services of the MIMU and the MIMU familiar with the operations and information assets of the stakeholder agencies. Results will include an inventory of data assets; a schedule of planned assessments; the majority of agencies using common standards such as place names and Pcodes; dissemination of data and information products hack to agencies;
• Promotion of data standards (including Place Codes), develop standardized data collection and dissemination tools and processes, and support other information-sharing protocols, and the use of standardized metadata;
• The majority of agencies will use common standards such as place names and Pcodes and collection tools such as common assessment format;
• Establish and lead inter-agency Information management working group(s) to promote information-sharing, date standardization and interoperability and where appropriate, joint data development initiatives;
• A functional multi-agency information management working group that meets on a regular basis;
• Manage the development and maintenance of common databases and templates that support coordination and information-based decision making;
• Core information in an effective format; outputs in the form of reports and maps that are widely disseminated;
• Ensure necessary data and staff support for Geographic Information Systems development, mapping and analysis;
• Core GIS files in standardized global formats; outputs in the form of maps and aliases (hard and soft copy) widely disseminated;
• Conduct both simple and multi-dimensional analyses and seek ways of linking quantitative and qualitative information and analysis across sectors;
• Information products that inform humanitarian and development agencies about aid coverage, gaps, and needs;
• Ensure that the Unit provides timely, high-quality and demand driven information products and services;
• Technical support to partners; base maps, atlases and country gazelieers, thematic maps presenting multi-sectoral information; other reports and summaries;
• Maximize the extent that Information and data is shared and disseminated among the IASC/UN Country Team and other humanitarian partners, ever mindful of sensitivity issues;
• Dissemination tool(s) such as a website or off-line equivalent;
• Representation of the Unit through briefings and other activities to the wider humanitarian community and provide reports on Unit activities as requested;
• A well briefed constituent of stakeholders; documentation of the units activities,12. Supervise the strategic and day-to-day management of the unit;
• A functional and efficient information management unit;
• Recruitment, management and training of IMU staff in the performance of their duties, including staff development and regular assessment as well as providing support in key technical areas where possible.

Competencies

UN Core Competencies:

Professionalism:

• Advanced knowledge of the use of information management in humanitarian response;
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative ability to identify and articulate the information management requirements of complex situations requiring a coordinated response between disparate actors;
• Demonstrated problem skills and ability to use sound judgment to ensure the effective and timely completion of complex tasks;
• Ability to work under pressure including in stressful environments ( e.g. Civil strife, natural disasters.

Communication:

• Excellent communication and training skills including the ability to convey complex information management concepts and recommendations to staff at all levels, both orally and In writing, in a clear, concise style that can be easily understood by non-information m practitioners.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts In accordance with final group decision.

Planning and Organizing;

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• Identifies priority activities and assignments;
• Adjusts priorities as needed;
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
• Uses time efficiently.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of responsibilities and honors commitments;
• Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
• Supports subordinates and peers, provides oversight and takes over for delegated assignments.

Client Orientation:

• Views information services and products from a client perspective;
• Designs solutions and basis recommendations on the principles of usability;
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
• Monitors ongoing developments to provide proactive solutions and anticipate problems;
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;
• Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.

Judgment/Decision:

• Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, gathers relevant information before making a decision;
• Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them;
• Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information;
• Checks assumptions against facts;
• Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision.

Commitment to Continuous Learning:

• Demonstrated history of keeping abreast of new developments in the field plus a commitment to continuous learning.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Masters degree from an accredited institution, preferably in humanitarian affairs, information management, political science, development. studies, social sciences.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience, including management experience in information management, humanitarian affairs, emergency relief management, rehabilitation or development or a related field for a UN agency or NGO in a humanitarian or development environment;
• Demonstrated experience in understanding, managing and analyzing information at a strategic level and a clear understanding at how information can be used to improve humanitarian assistance delivery and development projects;
• Excellent inter-personal and liaison skills - to have the ability to work with UN Heads of Agency, IASC members, NGOs and senior government officials to build relationships arid ensure cooperation;
• Knowledge of information management technical tools, including database development and use of GIS systems;
• Demonstrated ability to properly prioritize and manage complex operational tasks in a difficult environment;
• Possesses a strong service orientation.

Language:
 
Ability to write and concisely in English.