UN Volunteer - Data Collection and Management

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established by the United Nations General Assembly, is dedicated to advocating for children's rights and ensuring their basic needs are met. The organization operates globally, focusing on the protection and development of children, particularly in developing countries. UNICEF mobilizes resources and political will to support countries in forming policies and delivering services for children and their families. The organization prioritizes the most disadvantaged children, including those affected by war, disasters, and extreme poverty, and works in coordination with various partners to achieve sustainable human development goals.

Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer will support the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC) in Sri Lanka, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. This role involves managing emergency relief and response data at both national and district levels, ensuring efficient information flow among field teams, headquarters, and external stakeholders. The volunteer will contribute to informed decision-making and improved coordination during the disaster response phase, focusing on data collection, analysis, and dissemination to enhance the effectiveness of relief efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Data Collection & Management: Gather data from various sources, including hotlines and partner organizations, regarding relief activities and needs assessments. Ensure data accuracy and timely entry into relevant systems. Follow up on relief requests through the hotline.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Analyze collected data to identify gaps and trends, preparing summary reports for stakeholders.
• Information Dissemination: Distribute verified data and reports to relevant stakeholders, maintaining updated situation reports.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Liaise with government agencies, NGOs, and other partners to harmonize data collection and reporting standards. Participate in coordination meetings and provide data-driven inputs.
• Compliance & Confidentiality: Adhere to data protection guidelines and ensure compliance with agency policies.
• Support monitoring of response implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in data management software and reporting tools is essential. Familiarity with humanitarian standards and data protection guidelines is highly desirable. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary for effective information dissemination and stakeholder engagement.

Educational Background:
A degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, data management, or public health is required. Additional training or certifications in data analysis or humanitarian response would be advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have prior experience in data collection and management, preferably in a humanitarian or emergency response context. Experience working with government agencies or NGOs is a plus. Familiarity with disaster response frameworks and coordination mechanisms is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil would be an asset, as it would facilitate communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This is a national UN Volunteer assignment, and the volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and living essentials. The position is based in Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, where the climate is generally temperate but can be humid. The role may involve working in challenging conditions due to the nature of disaster response.