ERD Information Management Officer- Aleppo, first period in Raqaa

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding, and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The IRC Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) team is implementing emergency relief and early recovery programs in Northeast Syria. These activities support short-term, basic need provision and longer-term development of marketable skills and productive assets. Within its livelihood portfolio, the IRC provides employment support services, including vocational training, financial literacy and transferable life skills classes, and apprenticeships with existing businesses to promote the development of marketable skills and on-the-job training. The IRC also supports the delivery of micro-grants to new and existing enterprises to continue and grow their economic activities, improve their business processes, and better manage the demands of the crisis. The ERD Information Management Officer will be responsible for maintaining the data and information management systems and acting as the data focal point for the program, as implemented directly or with partners.

Responsibilities:

Generic Responsibilities:

• Participate and support in all beneficiary selection for ERD programming based on provided criteria, including; Multipurpose Cash, Cash-for-Work, Vocational training and Apprenticeship, Micro-enterprise grant support, and Agriculture and Livestock projects; and review partner database.
• Provide insight and recommendations on improved selection techniques and criteria alongside the line supervisor.
• Generate Quick Response (QR) codes for IRC and (when required) partner cash delivery programs.
• Ensure that all program data collected include the minimum of information that is required for follow-up and conduction of the Post-Distribution/Delivery Monitoring (PDM) Assessments and end-line evaluations. E.g. beneficiary numbers.
• Support the formulation of the M&E Matrix and plans to address donor and IRC indicator

reporting requirements.

• Provide training and support field enumerators and partners on data capture, analysis, and use.

• Support data capture processes to ensure they are implemented according to plans and agreed standards.

• Provide analysis of information and data to address reporting requirements and internal

  learning.

• Assist in regular reporting for donors and internal reports.

• Support the draft of mobile/digital data collection surveys for the field teams and coordinate with the other colleagues.

• Maintain the program-specific portion of data collection, analysis, and warehousing platforms, so they are well organized and accessible and data privacy regulations.

• Systematically review datasets for deficiencies or errors based on data quality SOPs and accurately any possible incompatibilities.

• Develop and train in handling ERD’s information systems, platforms, and databases - including developing improved visualization and access to program data for program managers and project leads.

• Analysis of program outcomes and findings through timely and accurate data visualizations and insight for ad-hoc needs and project reflection meetings.

• Lead submission of accurate and timely 4/5W reports to relevant Clusters and other Working Groups.

• Support ERD Coordinator and Managers in providing ERD-specific reporting to the IRC’s Global Technical Unit.

Program Implementation:

• Support ERD team in the collection of employment, entrepreneurship and income data as required
• Support with beneficiary surveys, focus groups and other feedback mechanisms according to the approved monitoring and evaluation plan.
• Identify issues, problems and/or concerns affecting the program and present these to the ERD manager in a timely manner.
• Assist the implantation manager with the market assessments design and implementation to assess needs, skills, and identify gaps to recommend the types of training in line with market mapping.
• Build the capacity of ERD program and partners’ staff in relevant technical and management proficiencies, such as Washington Group Question sets, QR code generation and use, and registration form usage

Communication:

• Support timely information-sharing regarding IM challenges and needs.
• Conduct regular data review meetings with the partners.
• Attend relevant 4/5W meetings and training, as well as any other relevant reporting meetings held by Clusters and Working groups (i.e. Food Security and Livelihood Cluster, Early Recovery Cluster, Cash Working Group) and maintain close connections with their relevant IMOs.
• Work with ERD Technical Unit focal points to share learning on ERD data collection and usage and when needed support the roll out improved processes and technology.
• Collaborate with the M&E staff to support beneficiary registration and application process.
• Submit weekly/monthly/daily reports as defined by the ERD Manager and ERD coordinator.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity-building approaches to build the strengths of the teams in Syria.
• Coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage time, attendance, and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of the succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train, and develop the capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition roles and responsibilities, by the end of the assignment.

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

• University degree in information management and systems, computer science, data science, business administration, marketing, economics or an academic degree in other fields alongside relevant experience in this field.
• at least 2-4 years of progressively responsible professional experience in information systems management, monitoring and evaluation, database development and management.
• Relevant experience with INGOs will be a plus.
• Statistics, data analysis, data-driven computation are all relevant areas of experience
• Knowledge about the Syrian context is a significant advantage.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values, and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation, and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development.
• Validated a sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities, and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior-level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop and a sense of humor is a must.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

• Arabic & English are required
• Travel: 20% to field sites in ERD business locations in Al Raqaa and Aleppo as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: ERD coordinator

The position directly supervises: currently no staff under his/her supervision.

Key Internal Contacts: ERD coordinator, Sr. ERD managers, ERD manager, ERD senior officers, center officer, SME Officer, Agro- officer, CFW officer, HR, Finance, supply chain, Access, and IT sectors.

Key External Contacts: HAO, market actors, and ERD's partners.

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, a return flight to post, a shipping allowance, temporary housing, and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.

How to apply

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/R81wy0v7dQ