Background

Information management is a core component of a comprehensive support strategy for the humanitarian community. The Information Management Unit (IMU) will work to advocate for an environment whereby relevant data (spatial / GIS, non-spatial tabular, statistical, etc.) can be brought into a structure that supports the efficient management of data and information in the context of the humanitarian response.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under  the  direction  of  the  Head  of  the  IMU,  the  incumbent  will  perform  the  following functions:

  • Support the development and maintenance of the Who Does What and Where (4W) database which will aid in the tracking of humanitarian focused activities within the NGO community and across the different parts of the country;
  • Under the technical supervision of the 4W lead, assist with building strong relationships and maintaining regular contacts with the local and international NGO  community  to gather information on their humanitarian and development activities in support of the Who, What, Where, When database. This requires frequently liaising with responsible parties;
  • Support the development of the following: standardized reporting formats, SOPs for need assessments, consolidating reports and data in the required formats for internal and external use;
  • Contribute significantly to the regular updating of 4W information by gathering information from organizations, this will require using different sources of information;
  • On a regular basis, collate and disseminate 4W maps to the humanitarian community and in cooperation with the Advocacy and Policy Officer and the Field Coordination Unit;
  • Support the management of the 4W database by identifying through various information sources (e.g. reports, web sites, brochures, etc.) which organizations (who) are carrying out which activities (what) in which locations (where), When and for tracking the humanitarian/development activities and to present the information at various levels of detail;
  • Support the development of ICT procedures for the gathering/exchange of data with contributing partners as well as in the implementation of these procedures.
  • This part of the work requires a strong level of technical ICT expertise in the areas of programming and/or scripting (e.g. MS Access, VBasic);
  • Assist  with  the  development  and  perform  maintenance  tasks  for  Humanitarian web presence in Syria;
  • Assist the Graphics Designer in the development of web-based data entry forms and support the creation/updating of content (text and images) for web- publishing;
  • Technical support to the Reporting Unit, ensure the accuracy and correctness of published public information by maintaining linkages to internal document management system;
  • Support RHOC staff, and especially working with the Inter Sector Coordinator and Reporting Officers, in the process of creating/editing web-based content;
  • Support in the development of spatial/geographical information products (i.e. maps, but also metadata, data dictionary, etc.);
  • Lead, collect, extract, organize and file geographical data on humanitarian activities for the purpose of creating an archive of humanitarian information products;
  • Assist with the creation of maps and other related information products by using standard GIS software tools and related attribute and/or descriptive data. This component of the work requires a strong practical knowledge of relational database software like MS Access as well as MS Excel and experience with the pivot table function;
  • Helping  to  provide  general  IM  support  as  well  as  data  /  information  to  the
  • Humanitarian community in Syria and in the region;
  • Assist in collecting, collating, formatting, verifying, and distributing emergency humanitarian intervention matrix to track responses, reduce duplication, and ensure timely response by the humanitarian partners and simultaneously identify gaps to trigger quick response;
  •  Provide support in the preparation of meeting minutes and other technical reports relevant to the range of IMRU activities;
  • Provide basic graphics/design support for various presentations, as well as the layout of reports, and development of high quality visual products (typically these are: maps, tables, graphs, photos);
  • Any other tasks as required by UNOCHA.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

  • Ability apply conceptual  models  in support  of  formulation,  implementation,  monitoring  and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
  • Strong IT skills;
  • Ability   to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master Degree in Computer Sciences, Engineering, GIS, Informatics, Information Technology; or related field; or
  • BA degree with 2 years of relevant experience.

Experience:

  • Relevant experience at the national or international level in the area of Knowledge/Information Management or related field;
  • Previous relevant experience with UN or the NGO sector is an advantage;
  • Strong database design and management skills (familiarity with software such as MS Access, Excel, MySQL);
  • Good knowledge of GIS systems and supporting software; and
  • Experience in the development and management of spatial/ geographic data layers;
  • Solid  knowledge  of  MS  Office  software  products  is  required (especially: MS Access, MS Excel, MS Power-point, MS Word);
  • Web  design  and  database  programming/administration  skills.

The following skills are desirable:

  • The understanding of indicators and their development;
  • Publication   development/production,   especially   drafting   text, design of graphic elements and layout;
  • Public speaking – able to make presentations & chair meetings in English and Arabic;
  • Knowledge/familiarity with: Arc and Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator).

Languages:

  •  Proficiency in English and Arabic is requirement.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.