EMIS System Mapping Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

UNESCO is currently providing technical support to the Ministry of Education (MoE) of Jordan to strengthen evidence-based, strategic, and crisis-sensitive planning, monitoring, policymaking, and coordination at the MoE. This includes strengthening MoE’s capacity for data collection, utilization, and analysis through the enhancements of the MoE’s Education Management Information System (EMIS). This support is provided under the System Strengthening Partnership (SSP) programme, funded through a Multi-Partner Trust Fund with Canada, the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation (Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo /AICS), Norway and Switzerland, and the European Union funded programme “Technical assistance to support Jordan’s MoE’s EMIS platform for enhanced evidence-based decision making”.

The system houses more than 10 years of data for all 7,529 schools in the Kingdom (including public, private, UNRWA and military schools) for approximately 2.2 million students and 180,00 administrative staff and teachers. Data captured in OpenEMIS include (but is not limited to): • School Data (Profile, School Educational/Administrative Area, Education Programmes, Classes by Type, Subjects, Shifts, Positions) • Individual Student Data (Academic Record, Health, With Disability, Nationality, Identity, Languages, Guardians, Finance & Fees) • Student Learning Outcomes Data (Assessments, Student Report Card, MoE Marks Reports) • Individual Staff Data (Professional Profile, Health, With Disability, Nationality, Identity, Languages, Professional development, Qualifications, Finance & Salary) • Attendance Data (Students/Staff) and School Conduct (In school, Online, Merged) • Infrastructure Data (Land>Classroom/non-classrooms)

Given the significant amount of data that can be collected by Jordan’s EMIS system, it is important to take stock on which features are fully utilized by the MoE, and which features are available but not yet utilized. This will help the MoE as it moves forward in the implementation of its EMIS Operational Plan (where it captures its new software development requirements), in particular as the MoE has begun its transition to a local service provider, in order to manage their EMIS more independently through local support, and outside of the global OpenEMIS initiative.

By documenting all the data fields that currently exist in EMIS now, as well as what the MoE collects, will also help with advocacy efforts withing the education sector to strengthen the usage of the data for evidence-based policy making, and programming by both MoE officials (at all administrative levels) as well as educations stakeholders in Jordan.

That being said, as part of the support provided to the MoE, UNESCO has been asked to help the MoE map the different features of its the Education Management Information System (EMIS) including identifying and categorizing the functionalities and capabilities it provides. This will result in the development of a data mapping for Jordan’s EMIS.

National UN Specialist Volunteers in Jordan are entitled to:

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD 1,068.5; • Annual and learning leaves; • Free Medical and life insurance; and • Free access to different learning platforms.

For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service

Under the direct supervision of Program Manager (System Strengthening), the UN Volunteer will support UNESCO and the MoE in developing an EMIS data mapping: • Map out all OpenEMIS (core and modules) features into functional categories, categories includes student information, enrolment and registration, attendance tracking, health records, staff Management, teacher information, staff attendance, professional development, data reporting and analysis, customized reports, data analytics tools…etc • Provide a comprehensive list/ analysis of utilized and underutilized features within the Jordanian context, and a list of the system capabilities and OpenEMIS existing features beyond Ministry of Education work in Jordan. • Provide a comprehensive list of the systems which are currently integrated with OpenEMIS in Jordan and the purpose of integration, including the directorate/unit at MoE which are involved/benefiting from each integration.
• Identify other systems at MoE which complement OpenEMIS work, i.e the HR system, and the logic behind MoE decision to utilize other systems beyond OpenEMIS. • Provide a comprehensive list of all educational indicators, reports, and educational statistics that can be generated from EMIS, classified according to each user role and assigned authority. • Based on above, outline recommendations for data utilization by decision-makers at all administrative levels. • Coordinate closely with two focal points from QRC to achieve the above-mentioned tasks through a capacity building approach in an effort to promote a sustainable data mapping process that can be updated by MoE independently at a later stage.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field, experience with Education Management Information Systems EMIS is an asset. • Very good oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with Ministry of Education team. • Ability to learn quickly and with strong analysis skills. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Knowledge of data analysis, reports, dashboard, and indicators is preferred.

Amman, the capital, is a peaceful city with over four million residents. People are friendly to visitors. Services in terms of banking, transportation, health and communications are easily available. Though Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken among the majority of the population, especially in Amman. Road network is good both in terms of spread and quality of the roads. Public transportation in Amman is limited. Taxis are relatively cheap and easily available. There are a number of shopping malls, restaurants, gyms, and cinemas. A large variety of accommodation options can be found; however, it is worth noting that prices in Amman have generally increased in the past few years. There are no specific security threats. Amman is a very easy city in which to live; large, many amenities, very modern and serviced by an international airport with direct flights to most capital cities. According to the assessment of the UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) Jordan is a family duty station (category A hardship).

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 insurance plan.