TERMS OF REFERENCE
Information Management / Business Analyst for Child Protection Consultancy
- Background UNICEF provides Information Management Systems for country use in case and incident management. Software along with global best practices are available for country deployment and localization. Current applications include CP IMS (Child Protection Information Management System) and GBV IMS (Gender-based Violence Information Management System). A need currently exists to enhance the software suite provided by UNICEF as lead for the deployment software and processes designed to monitor grave violations against children. Responsibilities of the Information Management/Business Analyst role will be to further evolve the CP IMS and GBV IMS applications, participate in the development of new adjunct applications such as RapidFTR, analyze and manage MRM IMS (Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism Information Management System) development and deployment, and ensure consistency and integration of applications and process for UNICEF where possible, including with other protection related information management systems as required.
Over the next 11 months, a significant amount of time will be spent on development of the MRM IMS. UINCEF plays a lead role in the implementation of the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on Grave Violations Against Children (MRM) at global, regional and national levels. In May 2010, UNICEF released a study assessing existing efforts to manage MRM information; its recommendation to centrally develop a standardized, comprehensive and robust MRM information management system, including database, was endorsed by inter-agency partners. Subsequently, an inter-agency working group was formed at New York level to steer the MRM IMS development, and work is underway to develop this much needed system and accompanying tools. In addition to an electronic database, the IMS will also feature tools such as reporting format templates, information sharing protocols, information handling and security protocols, reporting and analysis templates, etc. It will be both a manual and electronic information management system – also providing solutions for countries with weak IT capacities particularly at field level. To date, a number of key steps to realize the MRM IMS have been fulfilled. This includes the creation of an inter-agency working group to guide the IMS development, and the building of necessary partnerships and linkages to strengthen this work. With regards to tools, draft reporting formats have been developed through extensive inter-agency consultation; these are now ready to be deployed and tested in pilot countries. A prototype database has been developed which will allow users to visualize the look and feel of a system; and support field testing and feedback for the eventual database development.
2. Purpose This consultancy will seek to build on the foundation already undertaken and take forward leadership and coordination of this key initiative. Working closely with the UNICEF child protection team, the MRM IMS working group inter-agency partners (particularly the UN Office for the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations), country teams, information technology and security colleagues, the consultant will get to grips with the information requirements for the MRM on grave violations of children’s rights and child protection. The consultant will take forward the consultation process with inter-agency partners and field and complete the development and integration of the full MRM Information Management System package, with all tools. A key step will be to facilitate a common vision for the MRM IMS among the MRM IMS working group partners and users in the field. They will help to negotiate and build consensus with regards to key outstanding issues including (i) the development of a Governance Framework for the project, (ii) agreement on users, (iii) data access, use and sharing modalities, (iv) hosting issues, (v) specific functionality and requirements of system, etc. The consultant will help to articulate a phased and iterative project development concept that will enable the limited and modular release and testing of elements of the MRM IMS – thus piloting limited capability sets with limited users. The incorporation of evaluation and frequent feedback loops will help to evolve sustainable and efficient end products and tools.
Based on the project proposal, the consultant will identify and work with the database developer to finalize database; drawing on expertise and collaboration of colleagues implementing the MRM at headquarters and in the field, IT personnel, and ensure that software development is in line with UNICEF and UN standards. Integration with other IMS applications will be enabled as required. Architecture and approach will be aligned with the designated direction of IMS applications. The consultant will oversee the phased pilot process in select country offices – including staff orientation, training, implementation, and system evaluation and feedback. This will inform the second phase of the project – scaling up and roll-out of the MRM IMS to all country teams. The consultant will also be responsible for producing guidance manuals, training materials and training programmes – in consultation with the training requirement of staff implementing the team, as well as the database development team – for the deployment of the MRM IMS. An effective process for monitoring and evaluation should be instituted from the beginning to assess system performance and provide regular feedback loops. The consultant will need to ensure that the MRM IMS development and implementation maintains appropriate linkages and synergies with other protection related information management systems, including in particular the Inter-Agency Child Protection IMS, the Gender-Based Violence IMS, as well as other information systems led by UNHCR and OHCHR. Finally, a critical role of the consultant will be to ensure that MRM IMS is more than a documentation and institutional record of monitoring. The consultant will support data mining and analysis, including helping teams understand patterns, trends, associations and/or relationships amongst data. The consultant will develop standard reports, as well as work with field colleagues and database development team, to design effective report generators and search tools, thus ensuring that staff and senior management of country, regional and global teams are able to analyse and present information in easy-to-digest reports that will help assess the situation of children and inform strategic decisions to improve monitoring, advocacy and response initiatives. 3. Expected Results The information management/business analyst will be responsible for the leadership and coordination of the MRM information management system. S/he will report to the Senior Advisor, Child Protection in Emergencies and be guided in their work by the Child Protection Specialists linked to the MRM IMS, CP IMS and GBV IMS, along with their associated inter-agency working groups. The following results are expected 1. Establish knowledge of CP IMS, GBV IMS, and MRM IMS requirements. This includes establishing key relationships within each of the impacted protection IMS groups. 2. Facilitate and build consensus among the MRM IMS Working group, with the support of IT and information management colleagues of UNICEF and DPKO, to agree on a Governance Framework for the project. 3. Facilitate agreement with MRM IMS working group on hosting of the electronic application. 4. Develop information handling and security protocols for current ad hoc MRM information solutions in country office as well as for the new MRM IMS package being developed. This will be developed as inter-agency products, and with expertise of IT security and regular security colleagues to comprehensively address and mitigate security risks of manual and electronic information, and information sharing channels. 5. Draft initial requirements and project proposal. This will require resolution of all pending issues identified during the July 2011 MRM IMS Retreat. 6. Finalize TOR for institutional contract with database developer in consultation with IT colleagues. 7. Identification of appropriate database development team, and facilitation of database development contract in liaison with IT team. 8. Revision of database specifications based on outputs of one day inter-agency MRM IMS retreat; and consultation with field and IT colleagues; oversee database development. Interface between IT and database developers and the programme colleagues. Build database using modular approach, so that initial version is deployed with minimum capabilities, and upgraded based on testing and feedback. 9. Plan and initiate phased roll-out of project. For example, begin limited pilot testing of reporting form templates, information handling and security protocols. Initiate piloting of database in phased manner. 10. Oversee the pilot roll-out of the MRM IMS in select country offices – including customization of tools, staff orientation, training, implementation, and system evaluation and feedback. Particular emphasis should be given in the pilot to data analysis, reporting requirements, and use of information for strategic decision making. Document feedback and lessons learned. This will inform the second phase of the project – scaling up and roll-out to all country teams. Assess if additional tools are required by country teams for effective information management. 11. Liaise with other protection IMS to develop information sharing protocols and guidance as required. 12. Finalize all tools of MRM IMS package, incorporating feedback from pilots -- reporting format templates, information sharing protocols, information handling and security protocols, reports and analysis templates, database, etc 13. Produce guidance manuals, training materials and training programmes – in consultation with the database development team – for staff capacity building to effectively deploy the MRM IMS. 14. Integrate an effective process for monitoring and evaluation to assess system performance and provide regular feedback loops. This may include designs in electronic system to automatically provide key data on system use. 15. Support the Child Protection in emergencies team in creating a strategy and vision for a cohesive and comprehensive approach to information management; and ensuring synergies with the various initiatives. 16. As enhancement needs for CP IMS and GBV IMS are identified and chartered, assume responsibility for activities similar to MRM IMS for analysis, development collaboration, project management, and deployment. This includes new applications such as RapidFTR. 17. Other tasks as required by the Child Protection section.
Location This position will be based in UNICEF Headquarters in New York. Some travel may be required, including to emergency affected countries.
Duration: 11 months, tentatively from October 2011-August 2012
Key competences, technical background, and experience required The ideal candidate must have a strong background in designing, and leading information management solutions for the non-profit sector. Experience as a business analyst, data management, with relevant experience in informatics, practical data use/M&E experience, excellent data base management skills, excellent data analysis would be highly desirable.
The candidate should be able to define stakeholder information requirements. Above all, the candidate will need to build constructive relationships with people across the organization and work successfully in an inter-agency context. The candidate will demonstrate diplomacy, patience and exceptional communication skills. The candidate should have an aptitude for formulating strategy and carrying out work plans, and proven experience in leadership and consensus building.
Essential • 5-10 years of experience in the design, development, evaluation and implementation of information management solutions preferably in the not-for-profit sector. • Custom software development experience should evidence iterative techniques and work on web-based applications • Excellent business and data analysis skills • Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to promote collaboration and consensus building • Strong written and oral communication skills; including ability to conduct group training effectively and communicate technical knowledge to non-expert audiences • Fluency in English • Experience in project management, organizational and negotiation skills including demonstrated ability to manage and monitor multiple tasks, coordinate, and meet deadlines • Expert computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office, Excel • The ability to work well under pressure and skilled in trouble shooting, crisis management, and problem solving • Must be available for some international travel, including potentially to conflict affected countries
Desirable • Knowledge and understanding of human rights and humanitarian protection, especially of children • Excellent data base management skills (SQL, Access, Excel) • Experience developing electronic forms (e.g. fillable forms), reporting tools, etc.
- HOW TO APPLY Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form (which can be retrieved at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “Information Management/Business Analyst – Child Protection” by 31 August 2011. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily (or monthly, if the work is full time) rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily (or monthly) rate will not be considered.
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