Under the Direction of CAST, Work Towards Capitalising Further on the Measurable Impact

/ JOB DESCRIPTION
Global WASH Cluster:
Field Support Team member
Date / 28/02/17

Job Title

Travel / FST Senior Information Management Officer
40% Deployed, 60% FST/GWC
Main Duty Station / Global FST Hub, Geneva,Switzerland or home (globally deployable)
Employing Agency / UNICEF
Supervisors / Immediate Supervisor: FST Operations Manager, Geneva alt. directed by the CAST/CLA in close collaboration with the FSTOperationsManager, Geneva.
Administrative Supervisor: FST Operations Manager
Technical Supervisor(s): Deputy Global WASH Cluster Coordinator
Technical support to:FST IMOs
Global objective of the position / The FST Senior IMO post will be focused on providing both direct and indirect support to WASH coordinationplatforms and/or clusters where present and supporting, guiding, mentoring and building the capacity of FST and regional/national/sub-national Information Management Officers as needed. All members of the team may alsobe deployed to or provide indirect support to FST target countries or operations globally. All members of theteam, although having distinct technical portfolios and profiles, are expected to contribute to improved andstrengthened WASH coordination (pre, during and after emergency) and relevant capacity buildingactivities.
The Senior IMO will ensure the functioning of the FST to support coordination, linking with other clusters / actors and response mechanisms at global level, whilst ensuring that FST IMOs and coordinators have the tools, capacity and resources they require to sustain high levels of performance in coordination. Similarly, all team members are expected to contribute to inter-cluster/sector harmonization and crosscutting issues of gender, age, diversity, advocacy, environmental sustainability and accountability to affectedpopulations and ensure dissemination of information, and learning and capacity building through to national platforms.
% Deployment time / 40%
% Remote Support, other GWC & FST / 60%
Job duties and responsibilities
The FST post holder will support the CAST and the FST Manager in ensuring effective management and functioning of FST IMO support to WASH coordination platforms, encompassing the following:

Under the direction of CAST, work towards capitalising further on the measurable impact and relevance of the FST and delivering coordination functions in accordance with the IASC defined cluster functions.
Develop a good understanding of the objectives of the FST concept, reflecting the strategic direction of the Global WASH Cluster and the means by which this position is expected to contribute overall.
Support FST and national/sub-national/regional Information Management Officers in creation and approval of their work-plans and consolidate at global level for all activities while remaining flexible to respond to dynamic operational demands.
Build the capacity of FST IMOs to provide appropriate support to WASH coordination platforms, through on-the-job training, mentoring and coaching as need, as well as setting up and following through individual capacity-development plans
Coordinate and contribute to initiatives, including the delivery of WASH training activities, to build the WASH capacity of, inter alia,WASH Cluster members, national and local authorities, external partners and civil society
Ensure capacity building in preparedness and contingency planning
Capture and document lessons learned, best practices and standards at global level
Establish and maintain consistency, quality and timeliness of reporting, as per requirements set out by the FST Manager, Geneva.
Support the implementation of ‘real-time’ reviews and evaluations during and post operations, develop further mechanisms to inform and gather feedback on coordination and FST deployments, work to define better how the FST works within a framework of accountability and ensures needs based programming.
Support the decision making of CAST and the FST Manager by ensuring a clear system to consolidate, share, analyse and report/disseminate information critical to decision making.

In the section below, several indicative deployment and non-deployment tasks are detailed, however it should be noted that these specifics will vary from context to context and are not comprehensive.
Specific Roles and Responsibilities (Non-Deployment)
Technical Support and Mentoring to FST Information Management Officers:

Challenge, stimulate and guide FST IMOs to improve work and personal competence, and facilitate the exchange of experiences and approaches within the team.
Ensure pre-departure support for preparation with FST IMOs to improve confidence and understanding of the context, the work expected and the appropriate tools, ToR and resources to fulfil the tasks and processes.
Ensure technical debriefings with FST IMOs, ensuring collection of lessons learned and areas for technical follow-up.
Ensure strong two-way communication between deployed FSTs and Geneva-based team/CAST and inter-function, to ensure a sturdy support and rapid follow up on identified needs.
Provide knowledge / competencies for skills development on specific topics including tools and ensure the FST IMOs have full understanding and support in their role.
Identification of university/training centers / private sector that include key training on humanitarian information management
Identify requirements, desires for capacity building, trainings, and workshops of the FST IMOs and ensure time spent on personal development which could ultimately improve productivity and achievement of FST objectives.
Support the development of indicators on the performance of cluster information managers
Take stock of the long term strategic objectives and create strong vision and clarity around roles of the individual FST IMOs.

Work with the other FST technical specialists (Coordination and Assessment) to:

Define impact indicators to be used by the FST in response and the methodology to ensure monitoring
Provide the necessary expertise to ensure that WASH Cluster/Sector operations, from data processes to response monitoring, are effective and meet established standards.
Define quality standards for basic WASH services, incorporating cross-cutting issues of significance to affected populations.
Support the Global definition of highrisk countries, including hazard risk mapping and country coordination capacity analysis.
Define appropriate visuals / graphs effective for reporting, tracking response, monitoring and information sharing.
Support the development of appropriate assessment tools and statistically-valid methodologies, and their linkage to needs, response and quality monitoring.
Adapt and develop existing IM approaches to support the collection, analyzing and reporting of coordination activities and resources, identifying information gaps, and evaluating the impact and quality of the response.
Adapt and develop systems to support and monitor accountability to affected populations
Capacity Building of WASH Coordination bodies: Work closely with the National Humanitarian WASH Coordination Initiative of UNICEF (NHWC) to support WASH information management structures, identify challenges and constraints to enhance capacity at government level for strengthened national ownership and leadership in humanitarian WASH
Support capacity building of WASH partners through trainings, WebEx sessions, seminars, participation in simulations, etc.
Support Regional platforms with regular cluster performance assessments and identify needs for support.

Information Management:

Provide remote technical support to ongoing emergencies, responses and preparedness activities for National WASH Sector / Cluster, in coordination with regional FSTs.
Support FST IMOs to assess the capacity of pre-existing WASH information management systems, determining the appropriate approach for support, making maximum use of pre-existing information management structures and regional / national capacities.
Work closely with FST Manager to ensure cohesion when planning FST deployments and pre-departure briefings and propose revisions to WASH IMO ToRs to ensure alignment between documented responsibilities and actual needs in the context, revision of work plans and determining the nature of the work to be done.
Within the framework of the Transformative Agenda (TA) for more effective strategy development and engagement with inter-agency processes, build upon and improve IM learning from other clusters and key agencies experiences, modus operandi and use of advocacy, technology and streamlining of tools and procedures.
Build up working relationships with multi cluster response teams and coordination mechanisms, UNICEF, humanitarian stakeholders, technical and research bodies, including UNDAC, ACAPS, Veolia, CALP and RRMs to allow learning, sharing innovations and knowledge (relevant to the function) to enable synergies and common IM approaches in emergency deployments.
Contribute to the review, refinement and promotion of IM procedures, tools and approaches adopted by WASH partners and ensure application within the FST.
Lead the execution as well as the further development and refinement of the information management function, including follow up on latest technical developments at global level, relevant to coordination and screen for potential use in the FST and provide technical guidance for their application at global and regional hubs.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities when Deployed
Direct surge support to WASH sector/cluster response where additional surge capacity is required, at national or sub-national level, by establishing or consolidating in-country IM systems as appropriate and as referred in the IASC Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at Country Level. Deploy alongside FST IMOs for job shadowing/on-the-job training missions. Key responsibilities comprise of :

Supporting the FST IMOs in all phases of deployment; preparation, in country and evaluation for support needs and follow up.
Review in-country the needs and work plan to ensure the continuity of the information management function.
Provide technical and capacity building support to Cluster partners in the analysis of data as well as visualisation (such as mapping, gap analysis, producing info graphics etc.) and reporting to Cluster partners as required.
Training, mentorship and guidance provided to WASH Cluster partners in leveraging and utilizing GIS and related technology.
Manage training and skills-development support for WASH partnersin the areas of mapping, GIS analysis, spatial data standards, Global Positioning System (GPS) use in data collection and navigation and geodata collection procedures.
Promote use of and training on the use of data collection and reporting tools among WASH Cluster members, assistance providers and other stakeholders.
Lead in the recruitment and training ofdata collectors, data entry personnel or other staff in order to assist with implementing cluster relevant IM activities, if requested.
Promote and support training in information management of humanitarian personnel and capacity building of humanitarian partners;
Support efforts to strengthen the capacity of the national authorities and civil society in information management;
Contribute to the core cluster functions, and respond to the Cluster participants’ needs for information.
Adapt existing in-country information management approaches for regular collection (5Ws), analysis and reporting of Cluster activities, achievements and resources – aligned with the cluster strategy and results framework.
Support the development and analysis of needs assessment and monitoring programmes, providing IM leadership in assessments and monitoring, including joint assessments and training.
Establish and maintain information databases that consolidate, analyse and report/disseminate information critical to decision making.
Support the estimation of spatial and temporal gaps, overlaps and coverage of Cluster activities and projects.
Work with Cluster/ participants to identify information gaps at national and sub-national levels and propose ways to bridge those gaps
Adopt and promote the use of global standards for information management for inter-operability.
Manage an inventory of relevant documents on the humanitarian situation.
Manage flows of information and dissemination in an appropriate way, including website management.
Lead on the preparation of SitRep inputs with emphasis on Cluster plans, targets, achievements and advocacy concerns
Where there is both a national and a sub-national cluster, the post holder will ensure that there is effective communication, reporting, engagement and coordination between the two levels
Contingency planning/preparedness/capacity building in situations where there is a high risk of recurring or significant new disaster and where sufficient capacity exists within the cluster.
Work with the OCHA Information Management Specialists to develop appropriate supportive strategies.

Position Requirements

Education / Required / Preferred
Degree, or relevant combination of qualifications and experience, in information management (data analysis, statistics, GIS), public health in emergencies, social sciences, institutional development, water or sanitation engineering or related field. An advanced degree is desirable. / X
Experience / Required / Preferred

Minimum tenyears field management experience in emergency humanitarian contexts.
Knowledge of the cluster / sector coordinationand humanitarian reform.
Strong experience of developing and implementing IM tools and systems.
A good understanding of the humanitarian policy environment including current knowledge of the latest IM policies, research, international standards and developments in the field.
Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan monitor and evaluate IM relative to programmes,
Experience in capacity-building –development of individual capacity-building plans, teaching skills, mentoring, coaching, on-the job training, as well as in development of training materials, facilitation and formal training delivery. .
Experience with natural and complex political emergencies in diverse cultural and climatic settings.
Experience of applying humanitarian accountability standards and practices.
Experience in liaison with a broad range of stakeholders, ability to build relationships and networks with international donors, UN agencies and INGOs, national authorities, national/local partner agencies and emergency affected communities
Proactive problem solving and operational decision making

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Knowledge and Skills / Required / Preferred

High-level technical and analytical
Strong communication and advocacy skills.
Strong skills in presentation and facilitation.
Technical integrity
Ability to encourage and contribute to a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.
Excellent training, coaching and mentoring skills.
Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects and activities on-time and on-budget.
Excellent leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others.
Ability to analyse and present diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups and nurtures good relationships across organizational levels and boundaries from government leaders to all stakeholders and the affected population.
Computer skills, including common databases, GIS, and analysis softwares.
Willingness to travel, resilience, stress tolerance and work under difficult conditions.

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Languages / Required / Preferred
Fluently spoken and written English / X
Good command of another language (especially French, Spanish or Arabic) / X
Competencies (to be filled in by HR)
Duties applicable to all staff
Actively work towards the achievement of the FST Strategic Direction, objectives and measurable impact.
Abide by and work in accordance with Humanitarian principles and technical standards, behaviour and code of conduct.
Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education Required Preferred

Competencies (to be filled in by HR)