Consultant – Information architect

Vacancy announcement: ISDR/C/27/2010

United Nations core values: - Integrity - Professionalism - Respect for diversity

Background:

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR, 18-22 January 2005, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) took place and represents a landmark in worldwide understanding and commitment to implement a disaster risk reduction agenda. This commitment was captured in the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters, a systematic, strategic blueprint to guide national and international efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and risks induced by naturally occurring hazards and human made processes.

The ISDR secretariat’s core areas of work include: coordination within the UN system on risk reduction related issues; support to the Global Platform for Disaster Reduction; partnership development; communications and advocacy; policy development; knowledge management; resource mobilization; regional coordination and support.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Senior Programme Officer, information management and in close cooperation with the Programme Officers working on information management of the Inter-Agency secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), the consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Develops information architecture, interaction design, functional specifications and business rules for a new UNISDR website, as well as sites for UNISDR regional offices.
• Ensures the successful implementation of newly designed information management projects in the UNISDR information systems, and conducts system tests, and ensures a smooth transition from development into production.
• Liaises with visual designers and other design consultants and ensures delivery of consistent design patterns for all UNISDR web projects.
• Develops usability testing plans, organizes and facilitates regular usability testing with both local and remote users, and provides reports and recommendations on design changes based on testing results.

Deliverables:

Hand-drawn sketches, screen flows, detailed sitemaps, wireframes, business rules and design patterns.

Competencies

Professionalism: Excellent knowledge of user-centred design, information architecture, interaction design and usability. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, to include proficiency in the development and implementation of systems of moderate size/complexity. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Planning and organizing: Demonstrate effective organizational skills and ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner.
Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Communications: Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations to staff at senior levels, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree advanced degree in Information architecture. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience: At least five years of proven experience in developing site maps, wireframes and documenting business rules for complex web-based information systems. Broad experience in conducting user needs analysis, requirements gathering, and performing web content audits, developing content inventories, assessments, and analysis. Proven experience in interaction design and development of process flows.

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English. Basic understanding of French is an added advantage.

Other: Expert working knowledge of various software tools necessary to complete IA tasks (MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, Adobe Photoshop).