Re-Advertised – Information Management Specialist, NO3, Mekele, Ethiopia (Temporary Appointment 364 days) (For Ethiopian nationals only)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, vaccination

Ethiopia is situated in the Horn of Africa and is the second most populous country on the continent with an estimated population of 115 million. It borders six African countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, and covers 1,104,300 square kilometers. Approximately 85 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures with Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in the religious, ethnic, and language composition of its people.

Over the past two years, children and their families across Ethiopia faced multiple and complex emergencies, such as the conflict in the northern Ethiopia and the drought, which resulted in millions of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. UNICEF has programmes in Child Protection, WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social Policy, and Education and serves over 15 million children in Ethiopia. Join UNICEF Ethiopia to contribute to improving the lives of children and women.

Watch a video about Year in Review Here

For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the job

Join our team to improve the use and analysis of available humanitarian situational and response data from UNICEF’s response efforts in Tigray, to improve humanitarian performance monitoring and reporting through integrated and strengthened data management; and increase efficiencies and reduce staff reporting burden through integrated data management standardization and automation of outputs and information products.

Summary of Key Functions and Accountabilities

How can you make a difference?

1. Information Management

• Maintain a database and dashboard to track core humanitarian indicators with the intention to scale up in all Field Offices over the 11- month period.
• Develop snapshots for internal and external purposes, develop maps to support UNICEF’s programming and that of our partners and build the capacity of the emergency teams Field Offices to collect, record, collate and analyze data.
• Provide quality assurance of Field Office bi-weekly situational reports and monthly Situation Reports.
• With IM colleagues in UNICEF, clusters and partners support an IM network as part of
• emergency preparedness and risk informed programming. Attend Federal level inter-cluster IM meetings.
• Identification and reporting of any gaps in emergency assistance to the emergency team.

2. Support the design and implementation of UNICEF’s data management strategy

• Review humanitarian planning and programme documents, identify the information and knowledge management needs in consultation with the emergency team and jointly propose innovative measures and activities to address identified needs and gaps.
• Advise and provide technical input to design and implement data collection mechanisms and related analysis to ensure the situation of the most vulnerable children is continuously and strategically monitored.
• Liaise with other IM’s, Emergency IM Specialists, including Cluster IMs on technical issues and disseminate / incorporate best practices.

3. Data analysis and mapping

• Provide data analysis on survey data and other data received. Use this data to support the preparation of regular reports, including the Situation Report for the Ethiopia Humanitarian response, donor proposals and programme analysis as needed.
• Support the emergency teams in the Field Offices, and the Field Operation, Emergency Unit in the analysis of data and information and perform data quality and consistency control, ensuring harmonization of humanitarian performance monitoring with the regular programme.
• Regularly participate in the implementation of monitoring missions as required, gathering information to be included in reports.
• Leverage Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for map production and geographic data management while promoting data standards and harmonized management of geographic data/information.
• Provide Information Management services to support population data management,
• including population estimation, information flows from established systems, and movement tracking.
• Provide technical guidance on information and knowledge management systems to promote the use of evidence to inform policy and decision making.

4. Capacity building

• Develop and implement capacity building plan around data and information management, monitoring, and innovative, creative, and effective ways of data gathering, analysis and visualization for UNICEF staff and partners as required.
• Support and capacitate local, regional, woreda authorities to organize information, manage information, monitor, and analyze. 

5. Emergency Preparedness

• Adopts adequate emergency preparedness measures through the development and updating of country contingency plans and establishment of early warning mechanisms, to ensure effective preparedness and response to specific emergencies.
• Participates in the formulation and development of plans of action in preparation and response to emergencies, monitors compliance of all sectors with emergency plans of action, including financial resources. Ensures coordination of the management of emergency preparedness and response.
• Develops and maintains databases on country/regional information and ensure the flow of information and communication crucial for the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness and response management. Identifies availability of resources in emergency prone areas and establish logistics plans to be implemented during an emergency operation, to ensure a timely and effective emergency response.

6. Emergency Response

• Participates and assists with assessment of local emergency and security situation affecting children and mothers in the locality, in conjunction with the Regional Office, the HQ Divisions, and field staff.  Visits the location to conduct an initial rough assessment of the magnitude of the crisis and its implications for children and its impact on the community. Establishes contact with community groups, government, UN agencies, media, and other partners to keep abreast of emergency situations. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in field in computer science or related field such as information systems, information and communication technology, library or geographic sciences, or engineering highly desirable.
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of Five[5] years of relevant professional experience in the field of data and information management systems and data analysis.
• Knowledge and experience in using Adobe and ArcGIS are highly desirable.
• Proven technical experience in development and use of innovative technology, particularly in the areas of data, humanitarian performance monitoring, use of mobiles and open source, and training in the related field is highly desirable
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset  or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.