Information Management Officer - IICA-2 (ICS-10)

Job Description

Background – UNMAS

Established in 1997, UNMAS leads, coordinates and implements mine action under United Nations legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, which include explicit references to remnant IEDs. UNMAS supports the UN’s vision of “a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies.”

UNMAS is a unit within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, or at the request of the UN Secretary-General or his designated official. When instructed by the Security Council or called upon by Member States, UNMAS deploys under humanitarian, peace and security mandates. UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub-office in Geneva. UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of explosive hazard threat mitigation to 18 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of IEDs and Weapons and Ammunition Management. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates.

Background – UNMAS Iraq

The UNMAS Iraq programme was formally established in June 2015, at the request of the UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq, to lead the UN efforts to mitigate explosive threats in the country, as well as to support the enhancement of national and regional mine action capacities. UNMAS is supporting multiple layers of operations under the UNMAS Iraq Strategic Plan which focuses on three main components:

1. Explosive Hazard Management
2. Capacity Enhancement
3. Risk Education

UNMAS Iraq has offices in both Baghdad and Erbil.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the EHM Project Manager, the Information Management Officer (IMO) will be responsible for achieving the following:

• Ensure development of an updated programme Mine Action Database (MARS), GIS database and archives;
• Ensure all operational data are technically correct and fully distributed to implementers and partners;
• Ensure the successful implementation of the standard working procedures for IT and information management to include the development of processes, guidelines and manuals;
• Ensure capacity building of programme IM personnel to administrate the Programme Mine Action Database, assess and identify requirements for further capacity building;
• Provide technical input to information exchange methodology;
• Ensure timely and accurate support to Programme, stakeholders and implementing partners using IM assets available.

The IMO, under supervision of the EHM Project Manager, will have the following responsibilities:

1. Coordination

• Develop and facilitate a Mine Action Database that ensures service delivery driven by the Concept of Operations and strategic priorities;
• Develop and facilitate the foundation and maintenance of IM mechanisms to support Programme, Projects (operations), eliminate duplication of service delivery, and provides a centralized information management system structure to enhance programme delivery;
• Support EHM Project Manager in oversight of IM Contractor’s personnel, coordinate IM Team tasks and ensure timelines are met;
• Act as the Information Management point of contact to the Directorate of Mine Action, linking to DMA Liaison Officer and UNMAS Iraq Projects.

2. Information management and reporting

• Ensure the maintenance, servicing and development of the Mine Action Database and Tool & GIS database, and associated reporting mechanisms and tools;
• Ensure the verification and recording of all field data from implementing partners into the UNMAS Iraq MA database;
• Within the IM Team, and in consultation with the operations team, ensure quality assurance checks on reported data before, during and after data entry;
• Oversee the preparation and printing of informative maps with mine action and other available data.
• Produce statistics, maps, charts, presentations and reports as required by Operations and Programme departments;

3. Capacity development

• Develop the internal UNMAS IM capability by way of professional capacity buidling, assessing training requirements and providing internal mentoring, or requesting external training for IM personnel

• Advanced university degree (master or equivalent) in Geographic Information Management, Information Technology, Computer Science, Statistics or any other related field with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience,
  OR
• First level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) in Geographic Information Management, Information Technology, Computer Science, Statistics or any other related field with a minimum of 7 years relevant experience.

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in Geographic Information Management and Systems
• Experience in the use of MS-Access, MS SQL Server and Office suite is required
• Using IMSMA Mg in the field operational level is desired
• Experience of data QA/QC processes for information management is desired

• Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking) is required
• Fluency in another UN official language is desired

About the Organization

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners.

The Center is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

It is headed by the Center Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

UNMAS

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a division of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (RES/68/72) to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problem posed by a wide range of explosive hazards. Legislative mandates also recognize UNMAS technical expertise in responding to threats posed by unsecured and unsafe conventional weapons and ammunition stockpiles. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates.

UNMAS as a component of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) provides explosive hazard management capacities, including mitigation, to AMISOM as part of a logistical support package. Non-lethal tactical advice and analysis is delivered by UNMAS technical advisors located in each AMISOM Sector Headquarters and at AMISOM Force Headquarters, who support AMISOM planning and operations. UNMAS support includes both enabling (“operate in spite of IEDs”) and response (“defeat the device”). As a component of the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) UNMAS also supports the Federal Government of Somalia, including the Somali Police Force, Somali Explosive Management Authority and National Security Advisor.