Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Syria.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative in Syria and the direct supervision of the Food Security and Agricultural-Livelihoods Sector Coordinator for Syria, and the day-to-day technical supervision of the Sector IM Team lead (if any).

Technical Focus

Food Security and Agricultural-Livelihoods Sector (FSAL) in Syria is co-lead by FAO and World Food Programme (WFP) and was established to design, monitor, prepare and coordinate response during a humanitarian crisis with the support of partners, addressing issues of food availability, access, utilization and stability. FSAL aims to:
• Ensure that there is no gap or duplication in the humanitarian response,
• Provide information to all sector partners on regular basis,
• Assist the sector lead agencies with adequate information,
• Assist the partners in preparing the country-led Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).

The Information Management Specialist plays a central role in supporting the Food Security & Agricultural-Livelihoods Sector by coordinating, managing, and analysing information related to food security interventions across Syria. The role involves leading the collection, cleaning, processing, and validation of 5Ws/ActivityInfo data, producing analytical outputs, including dashboards, maps, and reports, and supporting sector coordinators with evidence-based insights for decision-making. The specialist maintains sector information systems and contact lists, ensures data quality and consistency, supports planning and prioritization exercises, provides capacity building to partners, and collaborates closely with OCHA and other sectors to enhance inter-sectoral information sharing and coordination.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Information Management Specialist will:

• Report to the Food Security and Agricultural-Livelihoods Sector Coordinator, support the Information Management department strategy and respond to the Sector Membership’s needs for information.
• Contribute to the development of reports (Sit-Reps, Digest, sector reports) by providing the Sector Coordinators and Sector partners with consolidated national-level data and analysis.
• Process data and provide analyses on the number of people in need, partner responses traffic light and gap analyses in relation to food insecurity across Syria.
• Provide regular and ad-hoc analytical outputs and update information products such as dashboards, maps, and analytical briefs on relevant topics (e.g., population movements, access constraints, seasonal trends).
• Identify and compile secondary data sources to complement primary data collection, including needs assessments and monitoring data.
• Organize and manage the collection, input, analysis, and presentation of data relevant to the Food Security Cluster/Sector, including ensuring the national Food Security and Agricultural-Livelihoods Sector IM Tool is fit for context.
• Create, manage and maintain national-level contact directories and mailing lists Food Security and Agricultural-Livelihoods Sector partners and stakeholders at the National and Sub-national.
• Support, update, and maintain the 5Ws (Who does What Where When and for Whom) database / ActivityInfo or other approved platforms alongside the Operational response dashboard.
• Maintain and regularly update the Emergency Tracker, collecting real-time information from partners and producing analytical dashboards to support emergency coordination and response.
• Use 5Ws data or ActivityInfo to update and support the development of national-level plans, including the planning and prioritization of food security responses.
• Inventory and maintain relevant national-level datasets, including population figures, displacement data, IPD movement, and other sector-relevant indicators disaggregated by age and sex.
• Collect data on the humanitarian response requirements and contributions (financial, material, and human), as appropriate.
• Regularly brief the Sector team and relevant partners on access, context, and security updates impacting food security across Syria.
• Conduct capacity building training with Sector partner (when applicable) on Information management tool and product.
• Update the Food Security and Agricultural-Livelihoods Sector webpage in the GFSC website with analysis, documents related to the cluster/sector’s needs.
• Support the Information management strategy for the Food Security and Agricultural-Livelihoods Sector and the related workplan/tasks.
• Support the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) or Food Security and Livelihood Assessment (FSLA), or if and where applicable, in country with analysis in the food security related response (or other related analysis).
• Liaise with OCHA and the IM focal points of other sectors, share information as appropriate and identify and collect information from other sectors to inform the food security response and preparedness decisions.
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Analysis, Statistics, Social Sciences and related fields
• A minimum of five years of relevant experience in information management or related fields. Working experience with UN Agencies is preferable, especially in humanitarian context
• Working knowledge of English and Arabic
• National of Syria

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, and knowledge of SPSS is desirable
• Ability to manage tight deadlines & competing workloads
• Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive information with tact and discretion
• Excellent organizational skills

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.