Information Management Officer

Organizational context:
This position is within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), specifically in the Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) located in Pretoria, South Africa. The role operates under the supervision of the Regional Representative for Southern Africa and is an integral part of the Regional Emergency Response Team (ERT).

Job purpose:

The Information Management Officer is responsible for providing comprehensive information management services to support human rights analysis and operations. This includes developing and maintaining databases, managing UN information and data sources, and ensuring secure collection, management, and storage of human rights data. The role involves researching and evaluating new information technology applications, participating in data management improvement projects, and developing system specifications and user documentation.

Additionally, the officer will create training materials, conduct user training, and manage archival processing activities to ensure adherence to preservation and database standards. The position also entails leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for data visualization and geospatial management, developing client outreach strategies, and assisting in program administration, including budget development and supervision of staff.

Responsibilities:
Develop and maintain databases to facilitate human rights analysis, needs assessment, and business process analysis. Manage and organize UN information and data sources, ensuring records preservation and disposition according to established policies and procedures, with a focus on technological applications. Research, analyze, and evaluate new information technology applications to ensure secure collection, management, and storage of human rights data. Participate in information sharing and data management improvement projects, contributing to feasibility studies, systems analysis, design, development, implementation, and testing of record-keeping systems.

Develop detailed system specifications, functional standards, and user documentation. Create training materials and user manuals, and train staff on assigned data management systems. Apply preservation techniques for records in all media and ensure storage facilities meet data protection standards. Manage archival processing, oversee adherence to preservation and database standards, produce descriptive inventories, and make recommendations for preservation program requirements. Collaborate with information management personnel from other agencies to improve information sharing and manage retrieval activities.

Evaluate existing data management tools and implement new technologies to enhance information access. Utilize GIS for cartographic map production and geospatial data management, promoting data standards. Develop and implement client outreach strategies and user education programs. Assist in program administration, including contract formulation, budget development, and supervision of staff. Collect and analyze data to identify human rights trends, presenting insights through maps, graphs, and reports using data visualization methods.

Ensure documentation of data analysis requirements and background information.

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in geographic information systems, information science, information systems, social science, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may substitute for the advanced degree. Completion of data analytics, business analytics, or data science programs is advantageous.

Work experience:

A minimum of five years of progressive experience in geographic information systems, archives management, record keeping, library science, or information management is required. At least two years of experience in data analytics is desirable. Experience with design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud) and GIS software is desirable. Field experience with the UN or similar international organizations, and experience managing human rights information, are also desirable.

Skills:

Professionalism in information management, archival, data management, and record disposition. Knowledge of electronic data maintenance, appraisal, conservation, and migration. Ability to conduct research and provide recommendations on information management trends. Proven ability to collate and present information…