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Consultant: Senior Data Specialist

9:10:00 PM
The Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU) is a common service to humanitarian and development partners which supports coordination and decision-making by providing information products and services and promoting a common framework for data collection and management. The Unit comes under the management of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and has been primarily funded by ECHO over the past 3 years.
The MIMU was established in late 2007 to meet the mapping and information needs among development as well as humanitarian agencies working in Myanmar. It grew rapidly in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008 with the technical support of UNOCHA and its structure and products have evolved mainly in line with the Humanitarian Information Centre / HIC model. The Unit currently has 12 national staff and an international Manager, and is made up of GIS, Web and Administration/liaison teams alongside the 3 person Data team. The MIMU works in close collaboration with UNOCHA which also provides technical support to the MIMU team.
The MIMU is seeking the temporary services of a Senior Data Specialist to conduct an in-depth technical review of its current management and use of the data repository/DevInfo systems, to advise on how the Unit could optimize use of the data it has and can accrue to better support humanitarian and development programming in Myanmar, and to build capacity of the MIMU’s Data team in use of the data repository/DevInfo systems in place.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the MIMU interim Manager and in close cooperation with MIMU staff, the Data Analyst will:
  • Desk review: Undertake a 3 day desk review of relevant information and data resources provided by the MIMU, including the 2011 Evaluation, MIMU strategic plan, detail of the data and information compiled by the MIMU, and documents reflecting the wider context and developments in the humanitarian and development sectors in Myanmar;
  • On-site evaluation: Evaluate the way in which the MIMU currently collects, stores, manages, uses and disseminates datasets for humanitarian and development purposes in Myanmar. Provide recommendations on how the MIMU could optimize its use of these capacities and datasets to further the current and future humanitarian and development agendas relevant to the Myanmar context. This technical evaluation will be mainly internally focused other than contacts with a small number of Yangon-based UN agencies with capacity for data analysis to determine areas of complementarity/overlap;
  • Capacity Building: Based on the needs identified in the evaluation phase, and in agreement with the MIMU’s Senior management team, provide 2-3 days training for the MIMU’s Data team to enhance their capacity in the use of DevInfo and specific datasets collected by the MIMU for development and humanitarian purposes;
  • Reporting: Provide a final report on the final day of the consultancy period which details the findings of the Evaluation, recommended steps to strengthen the use of data compiled by the MIMU, any specific resource needs and relevant risks.

Competencies
Technical competences:
  • Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience in the use of data linked to information management in humanitarian and development situations;
  • Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative ability to identify and articulate the data and information management requirements of complex situations requiring a coordinated response between disparate actors;
  • Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment to ensure the effective and timely completion of complex tasks;
  • Experience of work under pressure including in stressful environments (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters);
  • Experience of the collation of data for the tracking and monitoring of complex country-wide processes such as the MDGs, different aspects of vulnerability etc.
Communication:
  • Excellent communication and training skills including the ability to convey complex data/information management concepts and recommendations to staff at all levels, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style that can be easily understood by non-information management practitioners.
Teamwork:
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to support their understanding and achievement of organizational goals; ability to place team agenda before personal agenda and to support and act in accordance with final group decision.
Planning and Organizing:
  • Ability to identify priority activities and assignments and adjust priorities as needed;
  • Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
  • Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
  • Uses time efficiently.
Accountability:
  • Takes ownership of responsibilities and honors commitments;
  • Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
  • Keeps clients’ informed of progress or setbacks in projects;
  • Meets timeline for delivery of products and services.
Client Orientation:
  • Views information services and products from a client perspective;
  • Designs solutions and recommendations based on the reality of team and systems capacity and usability;
  • Establishes and maintains productive partnerships by gaining their trust and respect;
  • Monitors ongoing developments to provide proactive solutions and anticipate problems.
Judgment/Decision-making:
  • Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, gathers relevant information and considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them;
  • Proposes a course of action based on all available information;
  • Checks assumptions against facts;
  • Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs.
Commitment to Continuous Learning:
  • Demonstrated history of keeping abreast of new developments in the field plus a commitment to continuous learning.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Advanced degree and experience relevant to Data Analysis and its application to humanitarian and development processes.
Experience:
  • A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Data Analysis linked to information management in emergency relief management, rehabilitation and development processes;
  • Demonstrated experience in database development, DevInfo and the use of database tools with other information management technical tools such as GIS;
  • Demonstrated experience in evaluating data systems and staff capacity to analyse and manage data;
  • Demonstrated experience of capacity building of national staff in the field of data analysis, and the use of DevInfo;
Language Requirements:
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely in English.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Consultant: Senior Data Specialist

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