Background

 

 

 

 

(National Geographic Information Officer – Fixed Term - OCHA- Gaziantep)

 

United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Gaziantep is seeking applicants for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Officer position in Gaziantep.  Please note that applicants applying for UNOCHA Local Fixed Term positions must be a Turkish Citizens.

 

 

Only candidates holding Turkish Nationality and who meet the recruitment qualifications in terms of education, experience and language skills as advertised through the Job Description, should apply online and submit one application through a letter of interest accompanied by an informative but concise CV in English indicating the reference code of the post and UN Personal History Form (P11) by cob 29 January 2015.

 

 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Visit www.unocha.org for additional information on UNOCHA.

Background

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Information Management Officer, the National Information Management Officer (NIMO) plays a key role in managing the information flow, standardization and security within and between OCHA offices working on the Syria operation. The NIMO will also work in close collaboration with the wider humanitarian community for information provision and provision of information management services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

 

  1. Implementation and development of IM strategies and standards
  2. Repository of data through effective database management
  3. Development of mapping products
  4. Digital designing support
  5. General IM and ICT support
  6. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

 

 

1. Ensures implementation and development of IM strategies and standards focusing on achievement of the following results:

 

  1. Full compliance with corporate information management and technology standards, guidelines and procedures for the OCHA office technology environment.
  2. Analysis of the requirement and elaboration of internal policies and procedures on the use of IM and ICT.
  3. If required, map and elaborate/establish internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for IM and ICT.
  4. Play a key role in streamlining of internal information management processes in the OCHA office through training and assistance with establishment of relevant guidelines and procedures.
  5. Contributes to the development and implementation of a dissemination strategy for all information products (e.g. reports, data, and maps) through appropriate media, i.e. hard copy, stand alone executable programmes, CD-ROMs, websites.

 

 

2. Ensures repository of data through effective database management focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

  1. Ensures availability of updated information for informed decision making by OCHA and partners by consistently updating and maintaining the existing databases.
  2. Supports creation of new databases to meet the information requirements of OCHA and the stakeholders.
  3. Improves the effectiveness of the databases by making them more user friendly and error free by continues improvement and being open to comments and criticisms.
  4. Acts as the first line support for all database related requests from internal and external users, in particular related to the following core databases:
    • Who Does, What, Where
    • Survey of Surveys
    • Contact Database
    • Social Media Tracking
    • Who Has what where inventory

 

3. Creates effective development of mapping products focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

  1. Creates attractive maps using ArcGIS and other mapping tools using OCHA templates and styles, ensuring that they are appealing and adequately detailed, and effectively communicating key information to users.
  2. Promptly attends to the requirements of stakeholders by disseminating mapping and other products through suitable media, i.e, print, email, CDs etc.
  3. Effective contribution of maintaining a repository of important raw data such as geo-datasets and other similar databases.

 

 

4. Ensures effective digital designing support focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

  1. Creates and designs graphic elements and reports using OCHA standard styles and guides.
  2. Effectively represents information through graphical media, i.e, graphs, charts, presentations etc., using advanced designing programmes, ensuring their attractiveness and effectiveness in communicating key messages.
  3. Maintains and improves the layouts of reporting and presentation templates using graphic design programs ensuring consistency in look and ease of navigation.

 

 

5. Provision of effective general IM and ICT support focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

  • Ensure up-to-date operations of office software and applications, including Lotus Notes, Who-does-What-Where, and Contact Directory.
  • Support strategic decision making by processing data and information and presenting them in the format most useful for analysis (e.g. reports, maps, etc.);
  • Maintain a client-oriented approach that ensures the IMU provides high-quality information management services and products to the OCHA office and to members of the humanitarian community;
  • Develop and maintain additional information systems using appropriate software platforms to meet any additional and ad-hoc information management needs.
  • Design and manage content on web resources to effectively disseminate information.
  1. Provide advice and support in the acquisition, commission, operation and maintenance of ICT hardware and software as required by the OCHA office. Monitor the ICT infrastructure to ensure the provision of a stable operational environment.
  2. Ensure backup and restoration procedures for information stored in servers and local drives.
  • Provide expert advice and recommendations on improvements to the ICT environment and systems.
  • Any other duties as may be requested by the OCHA Head of Office and IMU Head.

 

6. Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

 

  1. Identification and promotion of different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge management and sharing, and information provision.
  1. Organization of training for the OCHA staff and stakeholders on IM tools etc.
  2. Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices directly linked to IM and ICT management.
  3. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Impact of Results

 

The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency of the OCHA office and the overall humanitarian response related to Syria crisis. Further, the ICT and IM support services has an impact on the operations of the OCHA office, information sharing and knowledge sharing.

• Professionalism – Comprehensive knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of humanitarian issues , emergency relief and related human rights issues; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to analyze and articulate the  protection dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response; demonstrated problem-solving skills; and very good knowledge of region of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions; strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement; ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian  protection and  knowledge of the institutions of the UN system; demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations; ability to relate humanitarian  protection issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social and human rights programmes in affected  region.


• Planning & Organizing – Ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.


• Client orientation – Ability to identify client’s needs and match them to appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain effective and productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; capacity to keep clients informed of [progress or setbacks in ongoing projects. Ability to monitor ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’’ environment to keep informed and anticipate potential problems.


• Teamwork – Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Required Skills and Experience

 

Education:

 

Master’s degree (or Bachelors Degree with additional 2 years of experience if no Masters qualification) in information technology, information systems, information management, web development, database, GIS or other relevant field.

 

Experience:

 

2 years of relevant working experience in the following disciplines (4 years if no Masters qualification):

  • Web maintenance, design and development, with proven experience in HTML, JavaScript, PHP, ASP and/or PHP programming and format encoding.
  • Database design and programming using MS Access, SQL (MS, MySQL etc)
  • Experience with Lotus Notes, Office Applications other software platforms.
  • Experience in graphic design, multimedia and products branding.
  • Experience with ArcGIS, MapInfo and other GIS software is an advantage.
  • Experience in the design and development of surveys including user requirements, form design, implementation, data entry, cleaning and analysis is an advantage.
  • Certification in these products/disciplines is an advantage.

 

 

Language Requirements:

 

Fluency in English and Turkish are required. -

 

Other Skills

 

 

  • Ability to communicate with technical as well as non-technical people.
  • Ability to prioritise multiple tasks within an environment where many interruptions occur.
  • Good awareness of the sensitiveness of decision-making information support.
  • Ability to work with multi-cultural teams and international professionals;
  • Availability and fitness for travel;
  • Ability to work under pressure.