Information Management Assistant (IDEA)

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a mission to eradicate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. The organization focuses on improving agricultural productivity, ensuring sustainable management of natural resources, and enhancing the resilience of livelihoods in the face of crises. In Afghanistan, FAO is actively involved in resilience-building initiatives across all 34 provinces, aiming to protect agricultural livelihoods and local ecosystems while boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash incomes. FAO's work is guided by the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and the United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) 2023-2027, particularly focusing on economic opportunities and resilient livelihoods.

Job Overview:
The Information Management Assistant (IDEA) plays a crucial role in supporting the operational implementation of the IDEA system within FAO Afghanistan. This position is designed to ensure data quality assurance, provide user support, and strengthen the capacity of field personnel and stakeholders involved in the program. The assistant will work closely with the Information Management Specialist and will be responsible for troubleshooting day-to-day operations, assisting in the configuration of mobile devices for beneficiary registration, and ensuring the smooth deployment and testing of forms. The role also involves maintaining data integrity and supporting the preparation of analytical summaries for internal monitoring and reporting purposes. The assistant will contribute to capacity building by providing refresher training to FAO staff and partners on IDEA tools and data protocols, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the program.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Information Management Assistant will have a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: supporting the daily operations of the IDEA system, assisting in the configuration and preparation of mobile devices for beneficiary registration, and troubleshooting issues as they arise. The assistant will also be responsible for routine data cleaning, validation, and consistency checks across IDEA and related datasets. Additionally, the role includes consolidating monitoring data streams, maintaining clear data flows, and preparing basic dashboards and analytical summaries for reporting purposes. The assistant will support capacity building efforts by conducting refresher training sessions for FAO staff and partners, preparing user guidance materials, and documenting processes and lessons learned to strengthen institutional memory.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements: a secondary school diploma with at least 5 years of relevant experience, or a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification with 4 years of experience in fields such as Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Management, or Information Management. Additionally, candidates should have at least 2 years of experience in Information Management, MIS, or digital data systems, preferably within a UN or INGO context. A working knowledge of English and local languages (Dari and/or Pashto) is essential, and candidates must be nationals of Afghanistan.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a secondary school diploma or a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Management, or Information Management. It is important that candidates have their qualifications recognized by an institution accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience if they hold a bachelor's degree, or 5 years of experience if they have a secondary school diploma. Experience in supporting mobile data collection systems, particularly KoboCollect or similar platforms, is highly desirable. Additionally, candidates should have experience in data cleaning, validation, and quality assurance, as well as familiarity with Excel and basic dashboard tools like Power BI.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (level C) of English and proficiency in local languages, specifically Dari and/or Pashto. This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the context of the role.

Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates should be aware that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.