Data Manager for Syria response At People in Need

Position: Data Manager
Starting date: ASAP, 12 months with possibility of extension
Country Programme: Syria
Base: Erbil, Iraq (with some travel to programme hubs)
Line Manager: Programme Quality Director

About the mission:

People in Need (PIN) has been working in Northern Syria since 2012, providing emergency relief and early recovery support to conflict-affected communities. Programmes for conflict-affected communities in Syria focus mainly on Emergency Food Assistance (in-kind, voucher and cash based), WASH, Shelter, and Education, in addition to Early Recovery and Livelihoods activities. PIN’s contribution to the Syria humanitarian response is amongst the largest, with an annual turnover of over $40 million, engaging over 400 fulltime staff members across Northern Syria and cross-border response hubs in neighbouring countries.

About the role:

Reporting to the Programme Quality Director (PQD) the Data Manager is responsible for delivering the integration of information systems specific to delivery of programmes/assistance for PIN Syria. The Data Manager will design, coordinate and execute the implementation of information systems intended to facilitate the flow of programme-related data for improved information management, reporting and progress tracking purposes. The Data Manager will also work to identify ICT solutions to improve communications and data management problems for Programmes Department and in consultation with the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Coordinator. The Data Manager will also coordinate closely with PIN’s focal point for the development of its Humansis beneficiary data management platform.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Information System Development & Roll-Out

• Develop, analyse and troubleshoot information and/or data systems or platforms for programmes in regard to tracking of delivery of assistance and beneficiary information, harmonising and integrating data sources.
• Provide technical guidance to the PIN’s Accountability function, including its Community Feedback and Response Mechanism (CFRM) regarding data handling, management and security.
• Support programming regarding information systems, particularly Data Entry, to facilitate accurate flow of information related to the beneficiary selection processes, and delivery of assistance tracking.
• Consolidate programme databases.
• Ensure all data collection, management and storage meets GDPR and PIN data security standards.

Data Quality Control

• Carry out quality checks on programme and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)-related databases (including beneficiary databases, delivery of assistance databases, complaints trackers and reporting figures).
• Record findings of discrepancies or issues in a data quality log, and coordinate with relevant teams to identify and carry out an appropriate plan of action/follow-up.Reporting, Analysis and Information Dissemination
• Ensure regular and consistent updating of programme beneficiary and assistance delivery via appropriate reporting software/platform.
• Generate summary statistics, and rapid and initial analysis and findings from programme databases, M&E datasets and/or other sources of data to support data requests from programmes and Grants teams.
• Work with the M&E Data Analyst to provide integrated data inputs for assessments and reporting.
• Verify beneficiary reporting figures for quarterly and final donor reports, ensuring that reported figures best match with sources of information.

Capacity Building

• Lead trainings and coaching for programmes and MEAL teams to ensure uniform and standard understanding of information/data flows, data visualization platforms, databases, as well as roles and responsibilities.
• Advise partner organizations on beneficiary and delivery of assistance programmes databases.

Coordination and Other

• Attend relevant meetings on information and data management.
• Ensure back-up and organization of all data and information sources (hard copy, soft copy)
• Coordinate closely with the PIN’s Beneficiary Information Management System (Humansis) focal point to ensure data management migrates to the platform when appropriate.

Suitable candidates for this position should possess:

Essential:

• BA in mathematics, computer science or economics, MA preferred.
• Prior 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Significant experience with IT, particularly database design and management.
• Excellent knowledge of computer applications including programming, Microsoft Excel and Access
• Familiarity with digital data gathering platforms and software.
• Basic understanding of grant reporting for humanitarian donors.
• Proficient in producing statistical summary reports and analysis for a variety of audiences.
• Flexible and self-motivated.
• Excellent communication skills (written and spoken) in English.

Desirable:

• Prior work experience in humanitarian organization context.
• Familiarity with KoBo, digital data gathering platforms/software.
• Knowledge of programming principles and basic understanding of M&E data analysis and interpretation.
• Spoken Arabic.

People in Need offers:

• Working environment in a well-established country programme with international environment
• Salary based on PIN salary scale: 3 000-3 100 EUR including per diems on consultancy contract
• Capacity development
• Accommodation in PIN’s guesthouse on People in Need’s expenses
• Shared access to a car fleet for travel within base (Erbil)
• 25 days of paid leave annually
• Reimbursement of travel expenses to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work, plus regional flights of up to 500 EUR twice per year according to People in Need’s policy
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure
• Psychological consultation available on line
• Travel medical insurance with 24/7 medical help desk