General
Description of assignment title: Information Management Associate
Assignment country: Sri Lanka
Expected start date: 05/15/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No
Host entity: UNRCO
Type: Onsite
Expected end date: 04/30/2024
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Colombo
Details
Mission and objectives
Thirteen years after the end of the armed conflict, Sri Lanka has not returned to active conflict and has remained a largely peaceful country. However, stresses on peace and social cohesion remain, including new fault lines, exacerbated by the Easter Bombings of 2019, the current economic crisis and the legacy of the armed conflict which are not yet fully addressed. While a return to armed conflict is not viewed as a near-term risk, Sustaining Peace requires continuous engagement in addressing existing challenges, improving governance and social cohesion, as well as the robust monitoring of emerging risks. There has been a growing recognition of the need to systematically mainstream conflict sensitive approaches into all programme activities in the country. In this context, the UN in Sri Lanka has in recent years continued to invest in a wide portfolio of peacebuilding priorities, including those supported by the UN Peace Building Fund. Among the peacebuilding priorities has been developing a deep contextual analysis of emerging risks such as climate security and land use, organized crime, and the impact of online hate speech that would support the Secretary General’s global agenda on Prevention. Looking ahead, the main instruments to advance these priorities will be the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 and the UN SDG Multi Partner Trust Fund. Through increased coordination around these two mechanisms, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) is expected to significantly increase integrated approaches and joint programming in support of Sustaining Peace and more broadly, SDG 16
Context
This UNV assignment is part of UN Office for Resident Coordinator to provide the administration and coordination support to the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) for its HNP related work. At the request of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) launched the Humanitarian Needs and Priorities Plan (HNP) on 9 June 2022, targeting 3.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Against an ask of $149.7 million in humanitarian funding, the HNP centered around three strategic objectives: (1) to save lives through the provision of food assistance, essential medicines, targeted nutrition services, safe drinking water and emergency livelihood support for the most vulnerable; (2) to provide immediate agricultural support that allows the resumption of basic productive activities for the maintenance of livelihoods and food security; and (3) to provide protection from violence, especially for vulnerable groups, and prevent and mitigate other protection risks through timely assistance, including mental health and psycho-social support and education. These objectives and corresponding priority needs were implemented through five sectors centred around Food Security; Agriculture and Livelihoods; Nutrition and WASH; Health; and Protection (including Gender-Based Violence and Child Protection) and Education. Building on already present capacities of humanitarian actors in Sri Lanka, including UN agencies, international and local NGOs, as well as institutional knowledge of responding to large scale natural disasters, the process of strengthening humanitarian coordination structures with the launch of the HNP was completed rapidly. With the support from OCHA, Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) meetings became more regular, as did Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG) and sector specific meetings. Areas where the need for a substantive scaling-up of coordination became evident included information management cash-based interventions, where dedicated working groups strengthened. By the end of 2022, more than 30 humanitarian assessments had been completed across all sectors, including food security, nutrition and protection. Assessments continue into 2023, and another large-scale Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) is planned for March and April of this year. Much of the response planning for the Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) plan relied on assessment results, and ongoing monitoring of project implementation allowed for making subsequent adjustments as necessary. The objective of this assignment is to support the maintenance of joint-up information management, data and reporting products, in particular the 5W dashboard. The 5W data collection tool is designed to provide essential information regarding which organizations (Who) are carrying out which activities (What) in which locations (Where) in Which period (When) for which beneficiaries (Whom). This information is essential to cluster coordinators and organizations to coordinate their activities effectivity, reach their targets on time and ensure that humanitarian needs met without gaps or duplication. The Management Information Associate will support with the maintenance of joint-up information management, data and reporting products. On the job training on specialized skills or platforms would be provided in collaboration with the OCHA Regional Office for Asia-Pacific.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Humanitarian and Resilience Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Information Management Associate will: 1. Support effective data management focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Ensure availability of up-to-date information for informed decision making by RCO and sectors by consistently updating and maintaining the existing databases.
- Support creation of new databases or spreadsheet solutions to meet the information requirements of RCO and the stakeholders.
- Acquire data from primary or secondary data sources to maintain databases/database systems.
- Analyze and interpret data and participate in the ongoing report preparation and dissemination.
- Develop data collection tools including use of online data collection platform such as KoBo toolbox, setup appropriate data collection methodologies, design and implement database systems and spreadsheets for data management, train partners/enumerators and analyse data.
- Manage information management process to maintain key databases and provide regular updates, particularly on: o Who Does, What, Where (5W) o Assessment registry o Contact Database o Funding
- Other coordination tools as needed 2. Create information products focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Produce and update information products such as reports, charts and infographics by turning data into graphical products to convey messages and a storyline; develop advocacy materials including presentations and other visual materials.
- Develop maps, snapshot and dashboards using standard templates and styles.
- Develop and maintain online dashboard (ideally PowerBI) of key information such as 5Ws, funding etc.
- Promptly attends to the requirements of stakeholders by disseminating mapping and other information products through suitable media, i.e. print, email, etc.
- Effective contribution of maintaining a repository of important raw data such as spreadsheets, geo-datasets and other databases of operational information. 3. Ensure effective information management coordination focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Support the functioning of the Information Management Working Group.
- Support the management of contents on Humanitarian Response Platform and other relevant web platforms, provide overall quality control for the platform and ensure content is current, comprehensive and follows relevant metadata standards.
- Provision of inputs and support to the production of situation reports as required on the humanitarian situation.
- Engage with IM officers of other UN agencies and organizations to access and develop situational analysis.
- Liaison with OCHA ROAP office for information management related standards and guidelines. 4. Provide effective support to the HCT and the RCO focusing on the achievement of the following results
- Provide up-to-date information, briefing packs and analysis of the situation, needs and response progress.
- Consolidate operational information on a regular schedule, perform data analysis and feed into advocacy and communication process.
- Provide information management support to emergency preparedness and contingency planning process.
- Support to RCO for ad-hoc products.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in information management, information systems, web management, data management, geographic information systems & mapping, data visualization, or other related area is required. Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge
- Skills in infographic and dashboard development are an asset.
- Experience with Data management, Visualization (ArcGIS/QGIS, Adobe or equivalent open-source tools and PowerBI) is an asset.
- Relevant experience in development, humanitarian or the NGO sector is desirable.
- Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Communication, Information technology
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Sinhalese, Level: Working knowledge, Required Tamil, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in information management, information systems, web management, data management, geographic information systems & mapping, data visualization, or other related area is required.
Competencies and values
- Planning and organising
- Professionalism
- Team work
- Client Orientation
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Sri Lanka is an island nation located off the south coast of India. An estimated population of around 21 million people is sheltered in this multi-ethnic, multi- cultural and multi- religious country. Colombo is situated in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. The city is located on the west coast of the island, adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Bandaranaike International Airport is located 35km from Colombo and is served by the main international airlines. Sri Lanka is a tropical country with moderate temperature and high humidity all throughout the year. Average temperature in Colombo ranges between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius. The island experiences two main monsoon seasons, where heavy rainfalls occur, from May to August and October to January. Rice and curry comprise the main dishes. Sri Lankan cuisine tends to be quite spicy. There are hotels and other types of accommodation options available in Colombo. Supermarkets, banking and medical facilities are present within the city. Telephone and Internet service is widely available. Phone plans and data are inexpensive; however, it should not be expected that the internet services work consistently or at a high speed. At present Sri Lanka is undergoing high inflation and an economic crisis. The public unrest and protests are common. The prices of common commodities fluctuate on a daily basis and shortages can also be experienced. Main health advisories are related COVID 19 and Dengue, which is also highly prevalent in Sri Lanka, especially after the rainy seasons. Mosquito repellent is available in all local drug stores. Sri Lanka is a unique country and UN is providing unique humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more resilience and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in challenging conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
