Management information system (MIS) expert consultant

Background

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human, economic and social losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations.

The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat lead by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The secretariat main functions are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (WCDR, 18-22 January 2005, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan) adopted the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters adopted at the WCDR. The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and represents the key policy framework for reducing risk and to strengthen community resilience.

Functions / responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UNISDR Regional coordinator and the head of DPPI SEE and in order to contribute to the implementation of the World Bank/UNISDR South Eastern Europe Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Programme (SEEDRMAP) the Consultant will, within delegated authority, be responsible for the following objective and tasks:

Main objective: Set up the Management Information System and Database of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) and assuring appropriate training to DPPI SEE staff in order to run and maintain the system

Specific tasks:

a) Management Information System design: this includes

• design of the information/document/content management structure, including storing/retrieving system’s mechanisms and the system possibilities of producing pre-defined reports
• design of the database for DPPI SEE contacts’ management showing the internal relationships and functions that better fit the organization’s needs.
• report and present to the supervisors the architecture of the system before the actual implementation

b) Implementation of the System:

• Programming the system as agreed in step a. The system will be hosted and run through a web-interface to allow access to its functions in intranet and to selected DPPI SEE partners.
• Testing the system in all its components and functions

c) Delivery and Training:

• Train DPPI SEE staff in the use and maintenance of the system.
• Develop a series of written guidelines/training package to be handed over to DPPI SEE.

d) Presenting to DPPI SEE and UNISDR Europe supervisors a final report with the description of the work performed and the output released

e) Perform MIS related tasks as deemed necessary by the supervisors

Competencies

- Professionalism
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Planning and organizing
- Creativity
- Client orientation
- Technological awareness

Qualifications

Education

University degree in information science or other relevant field; or the equivalent combination of work experience/education in a related area

Experience

Minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional experience in computer applications and in the design, implementation, operations, maintenance of complex systems; experience both at the national and international level and/or in the public and private sector preferred.

And in particular

• Working knowledge of Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP
• Familiar with programming web content management systems
• Experience with database / data normalization and optimization is required
• Excellent data modelling and database architecture / design / development experience
• Have a working knowledge of CSS, JavaScript/ DHTML, HTML, SOAP/REST and AJAX development techniques and other open-source softwares

Language

English, Knowledge of South Eastern Europe region languages is a plus