JOB DESCRIPTION: Open Aid Data Analyst

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION: Open Aid Data Analyst Help us deliver greater transparency of international aid and create tools, products and communities that realise the full potential of open aid data: a unique opportunity mobilising data analysis for social impact JOB OVERVIEW Globally over $120 billion in development assistance is allocated to poverty reduction and international development annually. This money is intended to build roads, schools and hospitals; to fund humanitarian relief; to improve governance; and to transform communities through many other investments. In addition, tens of billions from NGOs, foundations, private giving, poverty-focused remittances and other sources are added to the resources developing country governments themselves devote to reducing poverty. However, information on exactly how all these resources are allocated to different priorities and the extent to which funds reach the poor is often lacking, and remains difficult to access and understand, particularly for those in developing countries who should benefit from these funds. Our aidinfo programme works to enable people at all levels to gain access to and use information about aid and other poverty reduction resources. We believe that supporting efforts to hold governments, donors and service providers to account, and improving the availability of information to support intelligent planning, will increase the effectiveness of aid, and so accelerate poverty reduction. Our vision is that aid information should be easily available to people across developing and developed countries. It should be presented in an easy to understand, comparable, and accessible format, in ways that are relevant to users unique perspectives. In the last three years we ve been instrumental in bringing about a large new supply of data on aid through the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). IATI is an open data standard, allowing detailed information on who is spending what, where, with what results to be shared as structured XML. This is a critical year for IATI: with over 100 publishers it is reaching critical mass and providing a significant increase in the availability of detailed and timely open data on aid flows coming from a wide range of development actors. However, we know that 100 publishers is the tip of iceberg, and we need to help push more organisations to publish open data, and drive up the quality of the data being published. We also know the publication of open data alone does not deliver on the promise of greater accountability and more effective use of resources: the data needs to be used, analysed and applied. We have found that there is too great a gap between the availability of data and the capacity of key stakeholders civil society, policy makers, government officials, journalists, researchers and citizens to access and use the data. That s where you come in. We are looking to recruit a multi-talented data analyst to help us increase the availability of data and close the gap with potential users of the data by: Supporting organisations to make more data available; Improving the quality of the data by providing feedback and acting as a champion for data users in discussions about open data standards in the aid and development sector;

2 P a g e 2 Making IATI data more accessible to a range of stakeholders and improving the user experience for diverse groups who are looking to find and use the data; Stimulating demand for emerging datasets, and increasing the level of use of open aid data. You will need to be prepared to take on a range of tasks, learning as you go, and working in a complex environment. In any month you might find yourself: Working with aid agencies or private sector organisations reviewing their data or answering challenging questions about the taxonomy of aid; Working with data users to understand their needs, and to develop the specification for new tools and services; Commissioning the development of new tools and platforms for working with aid data, or managing the further development of existing tools; Digging into the data to field enquiries about what it tells us from the Development Initiatives team, aidinfo, or our partner organisations; Writing How To guides on publishing and using IATI data and open source tools to answer particular questions, and putting together training for data users; Convening workshops, training and skill-sharing activities for open aid data publishers and users; Blogging about the latest developments on Coordinating Development Initiatives data analysis support for one of the aidinfo capacity developing programmes that are working to build skills for using open aid data in developing countries (currently in Kenya, Nepal and Uganda); Creating new aidinfo products and services based on the available data, and developing Development Initiatives role as a leading intermediary of IATI data. You will be working with a core UK-based team, but engaging with a wide network of practitioners across the world, including plenty of opportunities to travel. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the transparency and accountability of international aid, and play a leading role in an international open data initiative. We have ambitious plans over the coming year and are looking for someone who can lead and deliver them as part of a multiskilled team. DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Technical responsibilities likely to include: Identify the impact and opportunity of IATI on donors, NGOs, and other providers of aid information Provide analysis and support to stakeholders to help them adopt IATI standards Develop plans for improving accessibility of IATI-compliant data Advise IATI secretariat on improvements to IATI standard, infrastructure and support process to ensure it is focussed on user needs Work with ICT partners to development an Open Aid Toolkit tools to increase accessibility of data Oversee development of guidance materials for publishing and using data

3 P a g e 3 Oversee development of training materials that can be incorporated into existing training resources (e.g. explore links with OKF School of Data, aidinfo aid and budget transparency training courses etc.) Lead development of capacity within DI data team to become a leading intermediary of IATIcompliant data - pioneering the integration of IATI data into DI s ongoing analytical work as well as discrete analysis illustrating the value of the resource Help monitor and assess quality of IATI-compliant data Participate in IATI processes and engage with the IATI community Establish and coordinate an IATI user group Coordinate support to users wishing to access, analyse and/or use open aid data (e.g. for aidinfo focus-country work, and implementation of IATI for country-level aid management systems) The post holder will also be involved in other aspects of DI's analysis work, and will support the work of the analysts where required. Communications Increase and improve communications about new data and data quality and help coordinate the publisher and user community and online fora etc. Document and communicate the user experience and promote examples of DI and others experience of using data Promote examples of community initiatives, ideas & apps (through aidinfolabs.org) Through networking, keep in touch with a variety of institutions and individuals across a range of sectors (public, private, third etc) including the media PERSON SPECIFICATION We are looking for someone who is passionate about the potential of open data to provide a platform for greater accountability and citizen empowerment, and excited by the prospect of promoting the use and application of data to those ends. You will be data-savvy and community connected: equally happy selling the open vision to senior policy staff, and working with partners to deliver IT tools through third party providers or hands on work. You must be ready to coordinate training and peer-to-peer workshops, as well as getting stuck into complex spreadsheets and XML files. You will bring a user-centred perspective to designing and delivering products. You must be flexible and willing to learn on the job, working at the forefront of one of the highest profile global open data initiatives. Experience Essential At least 2 years practical experience working on complex data-related programmes involving multiple stakeholders Experience of working with a wide range of organisations and individuals in a data/business/systems analyst capacity Proven experience of managing projects and delivering work plans

4 P a g e 4 Desirable Experience in the International Development sector is desirable Experience of working on open data or open source projects is highly desirable Knowledge/Technical Skills Essential Deep understanding of the open data movement and of the opportunities and challenges it presents Ability to assess existing systems and processes, and provide advice & support on the most effective way to adopt new practices that meet the goals of aid transparency Strong data analysis skills and advanced knowledge of Excel The ability to structure and visualise complex data to make it accessible to different audiences The ability to write technical guidance and communications in plain English Desirable Experience of managing and working with databases and XML Experience in the delivery and management of IT projects Understanding of how data standards are developed and used Additional language skills would be an advantage Personal Skills Excellent communication skills the ability to explain technical solutions and applications to nontechnical audiences A customer / user-oriented perspective An effective social networker, with ability to develop and facilitate communities and communicate effectively using social media tools Recognizes, creates and seizes opportunities to put ideas into practice Able to work under pressure and deal with multiple assignments A self-starter who can work independently with minimal support but can also work in a team environment Good people management skills with the ability to develop others and to impart knowledge and experience in an accessible and clear manner CONTRACTUAL DETAILS Start date: asap Location: Bristol (Temple Back) Remuneration: Up to 35k per annum Holiday: 25 days (Employees) plus UK bank and public holidays Hours: 35 hours a week Contract: Fixed term for 1 year, with potential to extend Probation: 3 months Pension: 5% of salary after 3 months service

5 P a g e 5 Other: Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Childcare Vouchers, Flexi/Core Hours System, Homeworking APPLICATION DETAILS Your CV (no more than 4 pages) and covering letter which should detail your skills and experiences and how they relate to the job description, should be ed to: Janet Reilly at HR@devinit.org, quoting ref: OPEN DATA ANALYST in the subject line. Your letter should also include your salary expectations and notice period/available start date. Closing date: 5pm on 8th March, 2013 Interviews: w/c 18 th March, 2013 ALL APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK OTHER We will be unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. We are unable to offer sponsorship for a work permit/visa application. Therefore only applicants who have the right to work in the UK will considered and evidence of this will be requested at interview stage. If you do not hear from us by 1 st April 2013, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. We may however keep your details on file for three months. Development Initiatives is an equal opportunities employer and in line with our policies, we aim to ensure that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.