Position Title: Information Management Officer (BRaVe Development)

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, 9 months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 17 November 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

Building on the work of several missions in the region, the Regional Office in Nairobi is taking a lead role in the creation of an interoperable data ecosystem which will support the safe, secure, and effective use of beneficiaries’ personal data to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and accountability during a humanitarian response. A key part of this process is the development and role out of IOM’s BRaVe registration system.

The IOM’s BRaVe system manages end-to-end processes and ensures safe and secure data management for registration activities related to humanitarian response efforts. It is a crucial part of IOM’s Integrated Information Management System (IIMS) and is used to manage operational information for humanitarian response. BRaVe supports aid distribution operations by systematically managing beneficiary registration, deduplication, and re-identification, allowing for effective targeting of response activities across various sectors and assistance cycles. This includes overall process, from beneficiary identification, registration, issuance of registration cards, enrollment for assistance, distribution planning, authentication during aid delivery, and item receipt logging.

Beneficiary information is managed according to IOM policies to ensure the ethical and responsible use of the data throughout the data management cycle: from identifying the risk of processing personal data to mitigating the risk, operational data collection, data quality assurance, data management, data sharing as per the IOM policy, data archiving, and data destruction.

One of the key aspects of BRaVe is digitalizing the data exchange among humanitarian partners to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. This will ultimately shape a data ecosystem where humanitarian partners can exchange data according to their role in the response activities. In the context of IDP registration, this approach can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of aid distribution.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Thematic Specialist (Humanitarian Response and Recovery), the direct supervision of the Programme Officer (IDP Registration) and under the technical guidance of the Headquarters-based IDP Registration Officer and Information Management Officer (System Development), the Information Management Officer (BRaVe Development) will lead the system development lifecycle to a timely and high-quality system to manage the end-to-end operation of the safe, secure, and responsible registration processes for humanitarian response.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. In coordination with the HQ based IDP Registration Officer and Information Management Officer, oversee all phases of the software development and deployment lifecycle of the Beneficiary Registration and Verification System (BRaVe) from the business perspective, requirements gathering, analysis, design, development, testing, training, evaluation of user satisfaction and rollout on an iterative and reflexive basis.
2. In coordination with the Regional Registration Officer, IDP Registration officer and the country missions in the region, ensure all relevant programmatic considerations are included in the design of the system’s feature. Discuss and brainstorm with programme stakeholders across EPC unit and other RO units to gather inputs required to design system functions, processes, and data collection tools.
3. Evaluate trade-offs between the BRaVe module size and complexity, urgency, risk and stakeholder value. Support prioritized development work to deliver immediate value throughout the iterative development and deployment cycle.
4. Manage the team of developers and work closely with the quality assurance team to ensure the efficient workflow in the development and quality assurance processes.
5. Ensure appropriate linkages and interoperability with Department of Humanitarian Response and Recovery’s (DHRR) Integrated Information Management System (IIMS) and other related initiatives and systems, within RO and the DHRR and other departments and divisions, including but not limited to Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), Regional Data Hub (RDH), Business Transformation, and Supply Chain Division.
6. Identify and coordinate with appropriate contexts to inform development and test modules of the BRaVe to deliver real and field-focused value.
7. Lead on the technical aspects as the focal point to establish interoperability between the partners throughout the process, including data flow, technical specifications and standards, implementation of InfoSec protocols, proof of concept, minimum viable product design, testing, piloting and release of the interoperability features of BRaVe and other humanitarian partners.
8. Assist in information processing and data analysis. Design data flow processes relevant tothe effective collection, storage, processing, analysis and reporting of the data. Provide recommendation for further technological integration possibilities upon the implementation of developed systems.
9. Support the development of the road map for IDP Registration and development of a federated data ecosystem for the region and other related strategic documents.
10. Promote the flexible and practical use of BRaVe to support missions. Provide direct support during the roll-out process – remote and through short-term deployments.
11. Identify further opportunities for system development and improvements to maximize its potential.
12. Ensure the implementation of IOM policies and standards in particular data protection policy, ICT policy and standards and good practices at all stages of systems development.
13. Document, develop and deliver user manuals and training programmes for the developed databases and systems under the purview of the Information Management portfolio.
14. Ensure the required performance of the developed databases and systems to prevent and minimize downtime or service interruptions, plan for systems (Software/Hardware) upgrades when necessary and ensure daily monitoring and adequate completion of databases and systems backups.
15. Support in the design and delivery of capacity building initiatives under the purview of the Information Management portfolio.
16. Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Development, or equivalent combination of relevant academic qualifications from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in designing, developing, and implementing information management systems and processes is required;
• Extensive knowledge and experience in desktop application programming (VB .Net)), web programming (combination of ASP .Net/JavaScript/AJAX/HTML5), mobile app programming, and database management systems (SQL Server/MySQL) are required;
• Experience in managing databases and maintaining information systems is advantageous;
• Experience in biometric technologies and interoperability standards is required; and,
• Demonstrated experience in technical development, field support, and training/capacity building.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of contents management system packages, open-source frameworks (JavaScript/AJAX, HTML5, etc.), and programming API is an advantage;
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite software and languages (Access, Excel/VBA, Word, etc.) is advantageous;
• Knowledge of relevant technologies and frameworks such as PHP (including Drupal and Laravel), Kobo, ActivityInfo, Sharepoint, and of UI/UX design, GIS, and database design and optimization, is an asset;
• Strong, technical, managerial, and analytical skills with the capacity to understand business requirements and to translate them into technical solutions;
• Advanced knowledge of tools and methodologies used in planning, design, and implementation of business applications, data modeling preferably with demonstrated ability to coordinate all elements of application development, especially from the business side;
• Advanced knowledge in biometric technologies and interoperability standards is required;
• Knowledge of cloud technologies is an advantage;
• Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills; Focused on delivering what needs to be done with the ability to multi-task and work under pressure;
• Knowledge of version control systems such as Jira and Git is an asset;
• Strong ability to solve complex problems with investigation, analysis and creative thinking;
• Ability to timely understand the Organization’s structure and portfolios;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly build relationships and work effectively and harmoniously in a team of colleagues of varied cultural and professional backgrounds;
• Ability to work in a dynamic and unpredictable operating environment;
• Proven ability to produce quality work accurately and concisely according to set deadlines. Strong analytical skills: Ability to analyze the data within the land and property registry databases to identify patterns, trends, and potential disputes or issues related to land tenure and property ownership;
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills; and,
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.