Organization: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Country: Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
Closing date: 03 Mar 2019
The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to i) alleviate human suffering and disasters in emergencies; ii) advocate for the rights of people in need; iii) promote preparedness and prevention; and iv) facilitate sustainable solutions.
As part of its operations, OCHA produces and delivers a number of information products and services including data coordination, databases and info graphics. It also promotes information management (IM) best practices and lessons learned to help coordinate information sharing and implement international mechanisms and standards.
The Information Management Assistant will assist in the production and delivery of IM products and services. She/He will be part of OCHA team within the Resident Coordination office in Venezuela.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the technical supervision of the Head of the Information Unit in the Regional Office in Panama, and overall direction of the Regional Disaster Response Advisor in Venezuela, the Information Management Assistant will be expected to support the implementation and maintenance of OCHA’s strategy in support to the overall strategy of the RCO and to:
Act as focal point to facilitate the many Information Management processes, information collection, analysis and processing in a systematic manner in close relation with ROLAC coordination structures and similar officers in neighboring countries.
- Develop strong links with other local actors managing information and data related to the response, such as IM focal points in the response community to promote sharing and monitoring of available data and information-sharing between organizations.
- Work closely with colleagues to identify their needs and advise on the information products and services that OCHA can offer to enhance their work
- Maintain and promote the use of global standard IM tools and services within the response community and maintain a data base of response actors by sector of activity and geographic location (3W).
- Analyze and process data and information into formats to be used in information products (infographics, maps, situation reports, bulletins…)
- Monitor and analyze crisis situations to identify priority information needs and gaps and possible information sources to bridge the gaps.
- Support the Regional OCHA information team in regular products and services to ensure that Venezuela’s situation and trends are reflected in regional documents.
- In coordination with the Regional Disaster Response Advisor, promote the activities developed in the work plan.
- Upon the request of the office, deploy to other countries to support OCHA response missions.
- Identify needs and contribute to develop products that consolidate relevant information, including charts, maps and other informative products.
- Support the construction and application of information management mechanisms shared between identified actors.
- Maintain and regularly update the 3w presence of actors with emergency response presence and capacity.
- Maintain and update the monitoring framework for UNDAF-related activities
- Support the design and management of information linked to the new UNDAF to promote standard tools for disaster preparedness and response within partners.
- Updated planning documents, contact lists, and other key documents that require regular updating.
- Monitor and analyze the implementation of programs always seeking to identify the gaps of information and to contribute to collect the necessary information.
- Any other duties as may be requested by OCHA Regional Office or the Regional Disaster Response Advisor.
Competencies
Professionalism
Knowledge of the use of information management in emergency response; ability to analyze and articulate the information management requirements of complex situations requiring a coordinated response between disparate actors; demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment to ensure the effective and timely completion of complex tasks; ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters).
Communication
Excellent communication and training (spoken and written) 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 readily understood by non-information management 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.
Client Orientation
Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; designs solutions and bases recommendations on the principles of usability; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; 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 clients.
Accountability
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates and peers, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Technological awareness
Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary education is required
- Advanced university degree in information technology, demography, statistics, social sciences and / or studies in social sciences with specialization in information management.
Experience:
- 5 years of relevant experience in information management, emergency or disaster management, data base management or related fields.
- Advanced and demonstrable experience in Microsoft office software packages (Excel, PowerPoint etc.).
- Demonstrable ability to present information in understandable tables, charts and graphs in visualization software whether in Tableau, PowerBI, Excel, etc.
- Experience in web-based management systems.
- Knowledge of GIS and Adobe Illustrator desirable.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in oral and written Spanish and English.
- English to be tested through TOEFL (minimum 500 points).
Other Skills:
- Ability to work productively under pressure, cope with deadlines, and the technical ability to work with online forms and systems.
How to apply:
Disclaimer
Important applicant information
Application Deadline based on NY time, please consider the time difference between Venezuela and NY (USA / 2 hours before midnight in Venezuela).
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
This post is subject to local recruitment.
The people making the selection can be considered in the UNDP Venezuela Roster List for future processes in similar positions.
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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