United Nations OCHA Data Lab Manager Job Opportunity in Nairobi Kenya 2014

 

Lab Manager – Humanitarian Data Exchange – Data Lab

Position Type: Consultant
 

Duration: 3-6 months
 
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
 
Date: as soon as possible

Background: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has created a new humanitarian data platform – the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX). The goal of HDX is to make humanitarian data easy to find and use for analysis.

The platform will include three technical components: a dataset repository for sharing data from across the community; data visualization and analysis functionality to compare indicators across countries and crises; and standards for the exchange of humanitarian operational data (the Humanitarian Exchange Language or HXL). 

HDX is being piloted in Colombia and Kenya in 2014.

As part of its roll out in Kenya, the HDX team will be establishing a Data Lab in Nairobi. 

The Data Lab will serve as a front line, in-person service to the HDX platform and create a neutral, physical space for humanitarian partners, government officials, technologists, universities, and international stakeholders to collaborate on all things data.
Data services will include data extraction, cleaning, storage, analysis and visualization. 
The Lab will also provide the opportunity to find new ways of working together on humanitarian data.

Nairobi was chosen as the initial location for the Data Lab because it is a regional setting that is often dealing with multiple emergencies. 

We also wanted to explore the relationship between data and resilience in a region that has persistent drought and food insecurity. As we get established, we hope to benefit from the experience of local innovators involved in the local tech scene.

The HDX Data Lab requires an experienced Data Manager to collaborate with data partners.  

The consultant will be part of the HDX Data Lab team which will include a Lab Manager and a Data Analyst. 
The Data Lab team will be expected to work closely with staff from the OCHA regional office, based in Nairobi, and with the global HDX team.

Reporting Lines: The consultant will report to the Project Manager of the Humanitarian Data Exchange project in New York.

Accountabilities

  1. Oversee all aspects of the Nairobi Data Lab including operational (staffing, resource allocation, office logistics) and programmatic elements (community building and outreach, partner services, representation, data management/analysis, and user experience research).
  2. Support the hiring process of local lab staff in close coordination with the OCHA Regional Office in Nairobi. 
  3. Research, recommend, and secure a physical office space(s) for the Data Lab and oversee the set up of that space.
  4. Maintain rigorous financial records and contribute to donor reporting for the Data Lab grant; write blogs and other communications material as needed.  
  5. Define the services for the humanitarian community to be offered by the Data Lab based on an understanding of the needs of humanitarian partners with a focus on innovation and collaboration. Conduct formal and informal outreach to the humanitarian community to promote these services. Develop partnerships and identify useful networks for Data Lab staff to cultivate.
  6. Offer training and events through the Data Lab aimed at increasing the data capacity and connectedness of the humanitarian community; host innovation and research projects within the physical lab.
  7. Support the creation of a virtual Data Lab through the HDX platform to promote projects and connect collaborators.
  8. Represent the HDX project in high level meetings, trainings, workshops, hackathons and conferences; communicate the goals of the Data Lab and the HDX platform to a variety of audiences.
  9. Develop a user experience component to test country, regional, and crisis specific pages and features. Provide feedback on user experience elements to the HDX project team on the specific needs of local users.
  10. Take part in HDX project team meetings as required.
Deliverables
  • Well-functioning HDX Data Lab in Nairobi.
  • Hiring and management of local staff.
  • Clear understanding by partners of the work of the Data Lab and the services it provides.
Qualifications

Education:  First level university degree in business development, management, information management, information technology, or related field.

Experience: At least five years of professional work experience with business development, project management and innovation projects. Demonstrated experience in staff management and communication. Humanitarian or tech experience a plus.

Language:  Fluency in English is required (both oral and written). Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Send CVs to Mark Slezak at slezak@un.org with a copy to hdx@un.org.



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