Frontlines Talent Pipeline: Information Management

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Overview

This is a generic Frontlines campaign to identify, assess and technically clear experienced Information Management (IM),

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OtherTalent Pipeline

This is a generic Frontlines campaign to identify, assess and technically clear experienced Information Management (IM), humanitarian data analysis and coordination support professionals for future short and medium term surge deployments in support of UNICEF-led and co-led clusters and sectors, and country-level humanitarian coordination mechanisms.

The campaign is designed to build a technically cleared talent pipeline, not to recruit for one fixed position. Successful candidates will be reviewed against the technical criteria and, if cleared, tagged in Frontlines for future emergency surge opportunities. Inclusion in the pipeline does not guarantee deployment. Specific assignments will depend on operational need, candidate availability, language requirements, release arrangements, security considerations and deployment context.

This pipeline will help UNICEF uphold its Cluster Lead Agency accountabilities by ensuring deployable IM capacity is technically cleared, coordination-aware and ready to support country teams.

Humanitarian operations are facing a rapidly changing operating environment. Conflict, climate shocks, displacement, access constraints, underfunding and increasing pressure on national and local responders are reshaping humanitarian action.

The Humanitarian Reset aims to make humanitarian action faster, fairer, more accountable, more locally led and more focused on greatest need. It emphasises sharper prioritisation, simpler coordination, stronger country leadership, closer engagement with local actors and communities, responsible use of data and innovation, and bringing decisions and resources closer to affected people.

Global coordination structures are also being simplified and consolidated, with implications for how the Humanitarian Programme Cycle is run at country level. At the same time, country coordination is becoming more flexible and contextualised, including through area-based and hybrid coordination models that can co-exist alongside clusters and sectors.

For UNICEF-led and co-led clusters and sectors, this means Information Management is no longer only about reporting, dashboarding or maintaining 5Ws. The function must now support decision-making in simplified, merged, transitional, area-based, government-led, nationally led and locally led coordination contexts, while remaining firmly anchored in the technical backbone of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle, including the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and the Joint Intersectoral Analysis Framework (JIAF).

Country teams also report reduced dedicated IM capacity at a time when demand for IM support continues to grow, particularly around transitions to new coordination models, stronger cross-sectoral linkages, localisation, stronger data analysis and integrated information products.

This campaign therefore seeks profiles who can combine field-level IM delivery, humanitarian data analysis, coordination literacy, data interoperability, localisation, responsible data practice and practical surge readiness.

The Information Management Officer or Specialist provides deployable field-level support to UNICEF-led and co-led clusters and sectors by strengthening information systems, partner reporting, needs analysis, response monitoring, data quality, dashboarding, geospatial analysis, coordination architecture and evidence-based decision-making.

The role is a field-facing coordination, analysis and systems role designed to help coordination teams answer operational questions such as who is reached and who is not, where the most severe needs and response gaps are, which partners are active where, what data is reliable enough for decision-making, and how reporting burdens can be reduced while decision-critical information is preserved.

Specific terms of reference, reporting lines and sectoral focus (WASH, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, or another cluster or sector as relevant) will be determined for each individual deployment. The responsibilities below reflect the generic, cross-cluster scope of the function; the assignment will be tailored to the requesting office and emergency context at the point of deployment.

Responsibilities

~1 min read

Responsibilities will vary depending on the specific assignment, sector and level of deployment (IM Officer or IM Specialist).

Set up, or support the set-up of, cluster or sector information management systems from the start of a response, covering partner reporting, data collection, analysis and dashboards.
Establish and maintain 5W or 3W partner reporting, including reporting schedules, data validation and support to reporting partners.
Consolidate and clean data from multiple partners and sources, and maintain clear data dictionaries and indicator definitions.
Manage cluster or sector reporting through the inter-agency data platforms in use in the response, such as ActivityInfo, and keep this aligned with inter-cluster reporting standards.
Support needs and severity analysis for the Humanitarian Needs Overview, applying the Joint Intersectoral Analysis Framework (JIAF), including identifying localized pockets of need and supporting off-cycle updates where thresholds for revision are met, so that cluster or sector figures remain sound and comparable with other sectors.
Lead or support cluster or sector inputs to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), including indicators, targets and reach, and support HNRP monitoring throughout the response, including tracking scope changes and maintaining methodological transparency when figures are revised.
Support the estimation of spatial and temporal gaps, overlaps and coverage of cluster or sector activities, and work with partners to identify information gaps and ways to close them.
Work with the inter-cluster or inter-sector coordination mechanism to align cluster or sector data with common standards and contribute to joint information products.
Use GIS mapping tools for map production and geographic data management, and promote common IM standards for data interoperability.
Manage the flow and dissemination of information appropriately, including maintaining cluster or sector pages on relevant interagency or UNICEF platforms, as applicable.
Maintain an inventory of relevant documents on the humanitarian situation.
Support the design and analysis of needs assessments and monitoring exercises, including joint, multi-sectoral assessments.
Lead or support the preparation of SitRep inputs and cluster or sector performance monitoring.
Develop and strengthen the IM capacity of cluster or sector partners through coaching, mentoring and training.
Contribute to the core cluster or sector functions, including service delivery support, strategic decision-making, planning, advocacy, monitoring and reporting, contingency planning, and accountability to affected populations.
Where both national and sub-national coordination structures exist, ensure effective communication and coordination between the two levels.

Be a UNICEF staff member on a fixed-term, permanent, continuing or temporary contract, or a consultant with a UNICEF email, or have relevant standby partner or external roster affiliation as agreed with Global Cluster Coordination Section (GCCS).
Be available for deployment when requested and to the extent practically possible.
Meet the qualifications and experience criteria.
Successfully complete mandatory courses in AGORA and Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) training prior to deployment.

Profile 1: IM Officer (indicative level: NO-B / P-2)

Education: A first-level university degree in a field relevant to Information Management, data management, GIS, statistics, social sciences or another related field. Additional relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in information management, data management, GIS, assessments, situation analysis or planning, monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) with the UN and/or NGOs.
Humanitarian experience is required; experience working within the humanitarian coordination or cluster system is considered an asset.

Profile 2: IM Specialist (indicative level: P-3 / NO-C equivalent)

Education: An advanced university degree in a field relevant to Information Management, data science, statistics, GIS, computer science, information systems, social sciences, public health, humanitarian affairs, development studies or another related field. At least two years of additional relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
Experience: At least 5 years of progressively responsible humanitarian work experience with the UN and/or NGOs, including IM experience in the first phase of a major emergency response relevant to a cluster or sector.
Demonstrated experience managing or leading IM functions for a cluster or sector, including supervision of IM staff (optional).

Common Requirements (both profiles)

Technical clearance requires demonstrated humanitarian, emergency, coordination or field-relevant experience. Experience in other sectors may be considered complementary but does not substitute for this requirement.
Relevant experience within a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
Experience working in a developing country context is considered an asset.
Demonstrated experience in humanitarian or emergency response across all emergency contexts is an asset.
Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French, Arabic and Spanish is highly desirable and may be required for some deployments. Portuguese or another UN language is a strong asset.

Desirable Experience (both profiles, depth expected varies by level)

Experience with activated clusters or sectors, including WASH, Nutrition, Education and Child Protection coordination.
Practical experience with inter-agency reporting platforms such as ActivityInfo, along with KoboToolbox, Power BI, GIS software, Excel and Power Query, and an asset if combined with SQL, Python or R.
Experience with interagency data processes such as JIAF, HNO/HNRP development, MSNA or cluster coordination performance monitoring (CCPM).
Experience using geospatial analysis, climate or hazard data, access data, disease or outbreak data, or displacement data for humanitarian decision-making.
Experience with responsible data, data protection and sensitive data management.
Experience with AI-assisted data processing, automation or reproducible analysis, applied responsibly.
Experience designing capacity-strengthening, mentoring or handover support for IM colleagues and partners.
Experience with national management information systems or government data systems.
Experience with cluster transition, sector-led coordination, government-led coordination or cluster deactivation.
Experience with area-based or subnational coordination.

Technical Skills and Knowledge (both profiles, depth expected varies by level)

Sufficient understanding of key technical and sectoral issues to engage with cluster or sector participants and understand their specific IM needs.
Excellent knowledge of MS Excel and/or MS Access, including pivot tables and functions; proven technical expertise in data capture, storage and analysis of diverse datasets, and in presenting information as tables, charts, graphs and reports.
Working knowledge of inter-agency reporting platforms used in cluster or sector coordination, such as ActivityInfo or other systems in use in the response, including data entry, form design and dashboard use.
Knowledge of establishing and managing basic websites, such as the Humanitarian Response platform.
Skills in map-making or GIS packages and data visualisation tools such as Power BI or Tableau; web design and software development skills are an asset.
Ability to lead or contribute to assessment processes.
Strong understanding of the logical framework approach and different types of indicators, particularly baseline and output indicators, and a basic understanding of project cycle management, especially monitoring and evaluation.
Good understanding of the humanitarian architecture and the Humanitarian Programme Cycle, including the roles of OCHA, clusters, sectors and other humanitarian actors.
Working understanding of the Joint Intersectoral Analysis Framework (JIAF) and how sectoral People in Need, severity and target figures feed into the HNO and HNRP, including how localized pockets of need and off-cycle updates are identified when revision thresholds are met.

Sound judgement in uncertain and sensitive contexts, and strong humanitarian coordination instincts.
Ability to simplify complex data into clear, actionable messages for non-technical audiences.
Strong self-awareness and ability to self-manage and operate safely and securely in rapidly changing emergency contexts.
Personal drive for results, and the ability to perform several tasks in a timely manner with a focus on quality.
Ability to work effectively in a diverse, multi-cultural team to achieve shared goals.
Ability to build and nurture internal and external networks and partnerships, and to promote synergies with other clusters or sectors with respect for diversity.
Diplomatic skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with partners to collect and share information.
Facilitation and capacity-building skills, including the ability to coach and train others.
Ability to analyse information, solve problems and make decisions in complex, challenging and rapidly evolving environments.
Strategic thinking, and a practical mindset that can produce analysis that is good enough for timely decision-making while clearly communicating its limitations.
The highest levels of personal integrity and commitment to UNICEF's standards of conduct and behaviour.
A willingness and commitment to serve children and communities affected by disasters, in the face of potential hardship and personal sacrifice.

Working in an emergency context is challenging and can sometimes require deployment at short notice. Applicants are asked to consider their personal circumstances before registering interest in this type of assignment, including:

Discussing with your supervisor and securing their agreement that you can be released for a surge assignment, and that you will be supported with any required training beforehand.
Considering whether any aspect of your personal circumstances could make it difficult to deploy at short notice. Where applicable, it is recommended you discuss the possibility of emergency deployments with your family.
Realistically assessing your mental and physical fitness for deployment, including ensuring you have had the basic vaccinations recommended by UNMD.
Ensuring you hold up-to-date and valid travel documents, including a UNLP and national passport as applicable.

This is a generic vacancy announcement for various surge deployments and assignments globally, across UNICEF-led and co-led clusters and sectors such as WASH, Nutrition, Education and Child Protection, and others as relevant. Specific terms of reference will be determined for each deployment.
Successful candidates will be placed in the Frontlines technically cleared pipeline for Information Management. Inclusion in the pipeline does not guarantee deployment; candidates will be reviewed and, where suitable, invited to express interest in specific deployment opportunities.
Applicants with humanitarian IM experience, cluster or sector coordination experience, data analysis and GIS skills, experience with inter-agency reporting platforms and the Humanitarian Programme Cycle, staff in countries with active clusters, transition contexts, or known IM capacity gaps who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

Advertised: 16 Sep 2026 GTB Daylight Time
Applications close: 19 Oct 2026 GTB Daylight Time

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