Description of assignment title: Information and Results Coordination Officer

Assignment country: Sierra Leone

Expected start date: 02/01/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: UNRCO

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Freetown




Details

Mission and objectives

The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Sierra Leone aims to bring together different United Nations agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level. The UNRCO supports the role and functions of the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team (UNCT) through shared vision, norms and standards, capacities and operating protocols to deliver together more coherent, effective and efficient support to global, regional and nationally agreed goals and priorities. It leads UN coordination, strategic policy, partnerships and investments around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNRCO also seeks to strengthen accountability for results and provide greater incentives for integrated action and support for the UNCT to deliver and report on in-country results at scale that respond to Sierra Leone’s national needs and priorities. The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system encompasses all organizations of the United Nations system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in the country. The RC system aims to bring together the different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level.

Context

This UN Volunteer assignment will contribute to achievement of results under the RCO strategic objectives on strengthened partnerships and knowledge management. The UN Volunteer will work with the RCO Data Management and Results Monitoring/Reporting Officer, as well as the RCO Team Leader, to support coordination of data management and results reporting activities of the UN Country Team and the Resident Coordinator. The UNV will also contribute to coordination work within the UNCT and contribute to other deliverables and work of the RCO to accelerate the achievement of internationally and nationally agreed goals and commitments, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Data Management and Reporting Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1.Supports the communication and information flow within the RCO and with the UNCT.

• •  Actively contributes and seeks to ensure the flow of information and communication between the front office and other UN agencies, including the coordination groups of the UN Country Team (UNCT);
  •  Develops inter-agency platforms for communication and knowledge sharing;
•  Supports high-level missions and special events in close collaboration with the concerned sections, UN agencies and national authorities. 2.Supports the RC in fulfilling his/her multiple mandates effectively, in collaboration with the RCO:
•  Ensures close follow-up on the activities of the RCO and supports the RC in defining the RCO’s key tasks and priorities;
•  Supports the RC in preparing key talking points, briefing notes and briefing packs and prepares presentation materials ahead of meetings, missions and other events. Critically analyses materials prepared for the RC and ensures that quality and standards are high;
•  Coordinates the agenda of the RC and stays up to date and on top of upcoming missions and events to make sure that his/her time is used effectively and that deadlines are met;
•  Prepares and supports high-level missions to Sierra Leone; and assists the RC in effective follow-up of missions. 3.Provides substantive support for the development and implementation of the UNCT information and data strategies, including data partnerships
•  Plans and facilitates data collection in support of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Joint Workplans, Country Common Analysis (CCA), UNSDCF Evaluation, and other UNCT activities;
•  Undertakes data mining and visualization to assist the Resident Coordinator (RC) and UNCT, including Results Groups, in developing reports and presentations on a range of sustainable development topics;
•  Supports the UN’s work with national data and statistical systems, facilitating engagement with national entities and data systems;
•  Communicates and coordinates with existing partners and helps form new partnerships with UN agencies, academia, the private sector, and governmental agencies to further the use of data science for development. 4.Coordinates monitoring and reporting of UNCT results
•  Supports inter-agency efforts on results and progress monitoring and reporting on the UNSDCF and Joint Programmes, particularly through UNINFO;
•  Provides support to substantive quality assurance review of the UNSDCF monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and results reporting to country, regional and global levels;
•  Facilitates support of inter-agency monitoring and evaluation group to the UNSDCF Evaluation process;
•  Undertakes data collection, consolidation, and input of UNCT activities on UNINFO, including coordination, programmatic and normative activities;
•  Supports facilitation to the development of the UN Annual Results Report

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 - 80

Additional eligibility criteria

This assignment is funded by the Government of the Republic of Ireland and therefore specific criteria apply: - Only the following are eligible to apply: Irish citizens or a European Economic Area nationals with an unrestricted right to reside in Ireland or have a declaration of refugee status from the Minister for Justice and Law Reform. The start of the assignment is scheduled at earliest convenience.

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Donor priorities

-

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in providing strategic support to research and data analysis, knowledge management or project/programme management in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.

•  Strong overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.), data collection systems and office technology equipment;
•  A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Social work, Business management

Driving license

-

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Krio, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Business or public administration, information management, statistics, sustainable development, social sciences, education or related area.

Competencies and values

Client Orientation Communication Planning and Organizing Technological Awareness

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The UNV will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone with travel to the field as needed. Sierra Leone is generally a safe country (UN Security Level 2), with theft as the most common cause of insecurity. The climate is warm and sunny for six months, November - May and warm and rainy from June – October. There are markets with fresh vegetables, fruit, and fish and there many grocery stores with imported foods, such a cheese, confectionaries, frozen, vegetables, etc. There are internationally recognized banks. UNV will need to complete the UN Basic and Advanced Security Certificate. Sierra Leone is a unique and beautiful country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy