Background

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) aims to help ensure that emergency response saves lives and protects people in crisis. OCHA also seeks to enhance the connectivity and coherence between humanitarian and development work, based on the comparative advantage of diverse actors and in support of national and local capacity, towards collective outcomes that reduce risks, needs and vulnerability.

 

OCHA Colombia works to ensure that evidence-based and collective situational awareness informs decisions on humanitarian action, seeking to ensure that streamlined data and analysis is provided to inform a rapid, effective and principled response. OCHA Colombia works to facilitate enough, timely, substantial, predictable and flexible financing that meets the needs of the most vulnerable people. In accordance with its mandate, OCHA undertakes advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable people to ensure effective and principled humanitarian action. This advocacy contributes to action that also enhances the protection of affected people.

 

This position is located in different capitals of Colombia. The Field Information Manager works in places with the presence of Local Coordination Teams (LCTs), with direct line and report on information issues to the Situational Awareness Unit of OCHA Colombia. The Field Information Manager works under the supervision and close collaboration of the LCT leaders and maintains regular contact with relevant counterparts in local institutions, UN agencies, funds and programmes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and donors, among others at the local level to access information. Ensure that the functions respond to all processes for information management and handling set out in the Joint Information Strategy of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT).

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions:

 

Under the direct supervision of the LCT leaders and direct line and report on information issues to the Situational Awareness Unit of OCHA Colombia, the UNV volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

  • Support with the management, feeding and updating of the systems, platforms, tools and websites (Monitor, 345W, salahumanitaria.co, among others) established to consolidate the situation information and humanitarian response, as well as peace building and development, with a differential approach (gender, age and ethnic).
  • Support with the consolidation and processing of data, analysis of information from the territory where it is present, reflected in key messages, emergency information products and context (Flash update, Situation Report, infographics, presentations, factsheet) on a regular basis, which make visible both the situation, humanitarian response and gaps, with a differential approach (gender, age and ethnicity).
  • Guarantee the updating and/or elaboration of information products (public and internal), both narrative and visual, in a timely manner, according to the criteria established in the work plan of the place where the information manager is located.
  • Provide technical support and participate in processes established by the Local Coordination Team (LCT), within the humanitarian programming cycle, ensuring that people with sectoral needs, humanitarian gaps and response in their region are informed. The information must guarantee disaggregation in terms of gender, age and ethnicity, as well as the cross-cutting nature of the gender, differential and rights approach.
  • Support with capacity building of partners and local counterparts to promote, facilitate and optimize the management of information on the systems, tools and products mentioned, in addition to involving other counterparts when necessary.
  • Participate and support the execution of rapid needs assessment MIRA and their respective reports where humanitarian impact is evident, as the tool established for the EHP, in addition to the participation and contribution of the partners. Promote the use of MIRA's gender tools.
  • Participate and actively support defined and existing coordination spaces at local and national levels when necessary (both the humanitarian architecture and institutional), within the framework of the functions and themes established for the position.
  • Involve gender focal points / gender groups in the development of strategic information products (regional briefings, context presentations, flash, etc.)
  • Permanent communication with the thematic focal points in Bogotá, to inform about the request of ad hoc information by other partners or members of the ELC, GiC and/or EHP. Also to receive and apply the given feedback.
  • Participate in follow-up meetings through teleconferences and send weekly reports on response actions, high-level visits and other relevant situations that should be known at the national level, for the respective advocacy and coordination responding to the objectives of the ELC and EHP.

    Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

     

    Staff of UN system agencies, staff of non-governmental organizations and civil society dealing with humanitarian issues; officials of local governments and institutions.

     

  • Results/Expected Output:

    ·       Presentation and periodic analysis of the main dynamics and response and impact on the departmental humanitarian situation

    ·       Preparation and updating of the information products (emergencies and situation) established in the work plan, which speak of the humanitarian situation for the respective incidence and decision-making.

    ·       Exchange of information with relevant partners, including visual material on emergencies and humanitarian situation of the department for their visibility.

    ·       Inform partners and thematic groups about the information available (products and systems) for the benefit of the LCT's work.

    ·       Collect, analyze and document the humanitarian needs you will find in the evaluations carried out in the field.

    Communication, updating and sending of information to the central office of OCHA Bogotá on relevant humanitarian events

Competencies

  • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
  • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
  • Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
  • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
  • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Bachelor's Degree in economics, international relations, political or social sciences, or other related area; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and extensive work experience in an area related to information management
  • Advanced university degree (preferably)
  • Minimum 18 months of work experience
  • Some working knowledge/experience of the UN system and understanding of agency mandates ;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure and in meeting deadlines;
  • Excellent Office skills. Knowledge of statistical software (including SAS, SPSS (STATA, and/or R), web tools (Power BI) and geographic information systems software (ArcGis, others) is desirable.
  • Ability to work with mínimum supervision, with efficiency, competence and integrity with people of different national backgrounds;
  • Some experience working with international NGOs and donors;

 

b) Language

English oral y escrito (Ventajoso) Nivel - Intermedio

Spanish oral y escrito  (Mandatory) Nivel – Fluido

 

 

Life Conditions

Santiago de Cali or Cali, is the capital of Valle del Cauca Department, and the most populous city in southwest Colombia. As the only major Colombian city with access to the Pacific Coast, Cali is the main urban and economic center in the south of the country, and has one of Colombia's fastest-growing economies.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for seeking his own housing and other essentials for subsistence. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan for intentionally caused damage.

 

Condiciones de Servicio

El contrato inicial es emitido al momento de la llegada por el periodo indicado más arriba. El contrato puede extenderse dependiendo de la continuidad del mandato, la disponibilidad de financiamiento, la necesidad operacional y el desempeño satisfactorio. Sin embargo, la renovación de la asignación no está prevista.

Un voluntario de la ONU recibe un subsidio mensual de subsistencia (en inglés, Volunteer Living Allowance o VLA) compuesto por un Subsidio de Subsistencia Mensual y una Prestación Familiar para aquellos con dependientes (como máximo tres). El VLA es pagado al final de cada mes para cubrir vivienda, servicios, transporte, comunicaciones y otras necesidades básicas. El VLA puede ser calculado mediante la aplicación del multiplicador de ajuste por lugar de destino (en inglés, Post-Adjustment Multiplier o PAM) a la tasa base del VLA de US$ 1,602. La tasa base del VLA es una tasa global, mientras que el PAM es especifico del país y fluctúa mensualmente de acuerdo al costo de vida. Este método asegura que los voluntarios internacionales de las Naciones Unidas tengan un poder adquisitivo comparable en todos los lugares de destino, independientemente de la variación de los costos de vida. El PAM es establecido por la Comisión de Administración Pública Internacional (CAPI) y se publica en el inicio de cada mes en la página web de la CAPI (http://icsc.un.org).

En los lugares de destino no familiares, que pertenecen a las categorías de condiciones de vida difíciles D o E, según la clasificación de la CAPI, los voluntarios internacionales de las Naciones Unidas reciben un diferencial de bienestar (en inglés, Well-Being Differential o WBD) mensual.

Además, los Voluntarios de la ONU reciben un subsidio de instalación en el inicio de la asignación (si el voluntario no residía en el lugar de destino durante al menos seis meses antes de asumir la asignación) y en el caso de una reasignación definitiva a otro lugar de destino.

VNU provee seguros de vida, salud e incapacidad permanente, así como traslados de asignación, vacaciones anuales e integración plena en el sistema de seguridad de la ONU (incluidos los reembolsos de seguridad residencial).

Los Voluntarios de las Naciones Unidas reciben el pago de viáticos (en inglés, Daily Subsistence Allowance) al tipo de cambio de las Naciones Unidas para los viajes oficiales. Se concede un subsidio de reinstalación por servicios satisfactorios al final de la asignación.

VNU proporcionará al candidato seleccionado, junto con la oferta de asignación, una copia de las Condiciones de Servicio, incluyendo el código de conducta.

 

Importante

Solo se considerarán las aplicaciones que contengan el Formato P11 firmado (Bajo ningún motivo se considerarán apliaciones que no adjunten de manera correcta el archivo en mención). Pueden encontrar el formato P11 en http://www.co.undp.org/content/dam/colombia/docs/Operaciones/P11_Personal_history_form-es.docx

El Programa de Voluntarios de Naciones Unidas está comprometida en lograr la diversidad laboral al interior de su oficina en términos de género, nacionalidad y cultura. Individuos de grupos sociales minoritarios, grupos indígenas y personas con discapacidad están por igual alentados a aplicar. Todas las aplicaciones laborales serán tratadas con la más estricta confidencialidad.