Assistant Information Management Officer

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

B

Family

UNOPS LICA8

2024-04-02

April 16, 2024

Operational context

Guyana is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention or the 1967 Protocol, and there is no national legal asylum framework. UNHCR offers the only mechanism in the country to access international protection through refugee status determination, under its mandate. While there is a relatively small number of people of different nationalities currently seeking asylum in Guyana, approximately 25,000 Venezuelan nationals have entered Guyana in search of safety and stability due to the difficult political and socio-economic situation in their country of origin. Significant numbers of Guyanese nationals (and their descendants) have also returned to Guyana after many years living in Venezuela. The increasing number of forcibly displaced people from Venezuela has put additional strain in already limited resources and impacted host communities, especially vulnerable local communities in the country’s hinterland, where protection, social and tele-communication services are limited. The increased bilateral tension between Venezuela and Guyana over the territorial dispute has contributed to political sensitivities around the influx of Venezuelans into Guyana, about which the Government has confirmed the continuity of a humanitarian policy of admission into the country and integration into Guyanese society.

The profile of the forcibly displaced people in Guyana includes mainly Spanish-speaking and Indigenous Warao-speaking populations in remote border zones, mining areas and urban centres. As mentioned above, there is also a relatively small number of mandate refugees and asylum-seekers of different origins, dispersed mostly in the country’s capital. UNHCR supports governmental efforts to give them access to public services, especially Education and Health; access to documentation and to justice are also important priorities. Initiatives are under consideration, to promote joint projects in the area of livelihoods. Partnerships are also established with other organizations to provide support to individuals in situations of vulnerability. Obtaining updated and reliable data about the situation of forcibly displaced persons and their needs is a key priority.

From October 2019 to February 2020, with the support of UNHCR, the Government of Guyana provisionally rolled out biometric registration of Venezuelan forcibly displaced people, being the first country in the Americas to utilize the PRIMES registration system for Government registration. As this pilot was discontinued, a comprehensive data collection system and a proper management of information and data remain a high priority discussed at several levels with governmental stakeholders, other UN agencies and NGOs.

The Associate Information Management Officer will report to the Protection Officer, working closely with other units, as well as at inter-agency level, to execute the operation’s strategy for data collection about forcibly displaced people and management of information, with a focus on creating and utilizing surveys complemented by protection monitoring activities and limited individual registration. The incumbent will coordinate and oversee the implementation of above-mentioned components of the data collection system for the Guyana operation, provide technical support to colleagues and partners (including general IT support to the office), conduct monitoring and follow-up on data collection activities, including through regular missions to the priority areas (especially in hinterland communities) and support the continuous development of strategies adapted to the operational needs in the country, including the possibility of coordinating the creation of IT systems and solutions for the Government and other local stakeholders.

Desirable candidate:
– Knowledgeable in IT systems and UNHCR Registration Systems
– Excellent writing and analytical skills;
– Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
– Demonstrated understanding of critical issues around safe and ethical data collection and analysis
– Experience in collecting, storing, managing, and protecting data of forcibly displaced people in line with UNHCR principles
– Knowledge and experience of participatory approaches to engaging with and mobilizing communities and stakeholders.
– Understanding working with vulnerable populations and utilizing a protection approach in formulation of strategies
– Demonstrated coordination and consensus building skills to manage multiple stakeholder consultation processes.
– Ability to identify and circumvent risks associated with political sensitivities
– Ability to work under significant time pressure and come up with innovative and creative solutions faced with fast-paced changing circumstances.

Please note that this position is offered under a UNOPS LICA contract at LICA-8 level, for an initial period of until DEC 31, 2024, with possible extension subject to budget, good performance and operational needs.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Persons interested in applying for this position must be legally present in Guyana at the time of recruitment.

The United Nations in Guyana is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner
A2-elementary
B1-lower intermediate
B2-upper intermediate
C1-advanced/proficient
C2-fluent

Shortlisted candidates will be required required to sit for a written test (complementary)

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English

,

,

Desired Languages

Spanish

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No