Information Management Specialist, NO-C, Kabul, Afghanistan, Afghan Nationals Only

Contract

This is a NO-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-3 contracts.

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, Clean Water

Afghanistan is one of the most poorly served countries in the world in terms of WASH services, with more than one-third of people without access to improved drinking water. Nearly 60 per cent of the same population lacks access to improved latrines. Studies also show contamination of water services both at source and household level is significantly high in both urban and rural areas. Safe hygiene practices, such as hand washing, are very low across the country, especially in rural areas. According to UNICEF’s Water Security for All report, 93% of children in Afghanistan (15.6 million children) live in areas of high, or extremely high, water vulnerability. Groundwater overextraction for agriculture and cash crops like poppies is exacerbating water scarcity. Even before taking into consideration the escalating security situation, and rapid collapse of the government during August last year, the 2021 HRP estimated that a total of about 8.8 million people would need safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities and services. Meanwhile the drought has compelled people to temporarily move their families from their places of origin to other nearby communities to seek access to water. Furthermore, the recent escalation in conflict with the resulting upheaval and seizing of power by the de facto authority has further exacerbated the high needs for critical WASH services in urban centres, where a significant number of people moved to seek a safe haven and escape possible clashes. This has placed increased pressure on existing WASH services and on the host communities as they accommodate new arrivals. There are early signs of a ‘brain drain’ occurring in the country, amongst trained WASH experts and officials following the takeover of power and this is already impacting the maintenance of existing WASH systems and services which collapse soon as a result leaving millions in cities, towns and rural communities without water and sanitation services.

The impact of these multifaceted issues is illustrated by the current outbreak of AWD/Cholera, which began in September 2021, less than one month after the regime change. These early warnings that existing WASH systems and utilities may soon collapse particularly in urban areas serving large, overcrowded populations, requires urgent action to stabilize the sector and ensure continuity of safe WASH services. Meanwhile hard to reach areas, which have already been underserved for many years, are now accessible and because of drought, returnees and malnutrition there is a significant potential that AWD/Cholera and other communicable disease outbreaks will occur. At the same time, it is critical that existing health facilities and schools do not become point sources of infection for communicable diseases given the high vulnerability of the population at this time and improving their WASH infrastructure and providing IPC training and materials are critical to mitigate communicable disease outbreaks.

How can you make a difference?

The Information Management Specialist reports to the Chief of WASH Offices for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist will lead in coordination with sector ministries and obtain latest WASH related sector data, analysis and quality checking before dissemination to the concerned programme units and zonal WASH teams as well as partners and external wider stakeholders. S/he will provide clear and concise data visualization products (e.g. maps, dashboards, info-graphics and financial/resource analyses) to WASH Managers, zonal teams and partners. S/he will also respond to data visualization requests, including delivery of products to support advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the WASH programme. The incumbent will also lead in exchanging and dissemination of data and support development of effective methods and platforms to standardize WASH data, products and maintain good catalogue including maps including where possible under the GIS system. S/he will provide guidance to the regional WASH team and IM focal points to promote effective use of IM products for evidence-based planning and reporting mechanism. S/he also work closely with UNICEF’s PME section for harmonization of officewide planning, data management and reporting system.

Under the overall guidance of the supervisor, the Information Management Specialist will achieve the following key results:

1. Data collection, compilation and analysis - Support the development and revision of UNICEF and Inter-Agency Information Management (IM) tools. - Represent UNICEF in Inter-Agency Information Management discussions, including for data collection, quality assurance and clearances prior to dissemination, ensure consistency in data collection across sections using data sources, such as the 5W matrix, Activity Info, and sector data collection. Support UNICEF gap analyses in accordance with official data sources, including information disaggregated by age, sex and vulnerable groups.
2. Data visualization - Provide clear and concise data visualization products (e.g. maps, dashboards, info-graphics and financial/resource analyses) to UNICEF managers and partners. Perform mapping exercises through 5W matrices, needs and gaps analyses, online mapping, and services and infrastructure. Respond to data visualization requests, including delivery of products to support advocacy and resource mobilization efforts.
3. Information exchange and dissemination - Support the development of effective methods and platforms to standardize and share information. Develop and maintain catalogues of IM and data products, including maps and assessments. Collaborate with OCHA and other IM/Geographic Information System (GIS) Focal Points in zonal offices on the exchange of information to inform UNICEF's response and preparedness decisions. Also provide guidance to zonal Offices on the most effective uses of IM to build the capacity of information managers. Also, conduct IM/GIS support missions to different Field Offices and build the capacity of zonal focal points and updating IM system at zonal level.
4. Coordinate the IM function - Provide technical leadership and support cluster IMO to ensure that sector and cluster data are consistent and harmonized. S/he capacitates cluster IMOs in technical areas where needs are identified and hold coordination meetings with cluster system on a regular basis to ensure consistent and effective data management and correct use.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Geographic Sciences, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, or Communications, and/or another relevant technical field is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience, at national and regional levels, is required.
• Knowledge and experience of data processing and visualization programmes such as Excel, SPSS, ArGIS, QGIS, Power BI is required
• Strong written and oral presentations skills is highly desirable.
• Background/familiarity with emergency situations considered an asset.
• Fluency in English and local languages (Dari & Pashto) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA). To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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:

* Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

* Kindly note that this is a non-family duty station.

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

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offer of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.