Overview
IMOs are broadly grouped into six profiles. An ideal IM team includes all six, though this doesn't mean the team has to have six people. One team member could be the mapper and visualiser, another could be the coordinator and analyst. It is useful to consider these roles when recruiting new staff or surge capacity to ensure the team has a good mix of skills.
COORDINATOR: manages an OCHA IM unit. Works with cluster IM focal points. Sets IM strategy and advises the OCHA head of office on information issues.
DATA MANAGER: works with numbers and data, including designing and managing databases and doing statistical analysis.
ANALYST: connects data and information and interprets it to finds trends and relationships. Works on documents such as the HNO.
MAPPER: uses GIS software to edit, manage and analyse spatial data. Works with satellite imagery and GPS. Produces cartographic and thematic maps.
VISUALISER: works with graphic design software to make complex information easy to understand. Works on humanitarian dashboards and snapshots and creates maps, charts and visuals to convey information.
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GENERALIST: has a mixture of technical and nontechnical skills. Can chair an IM working group, make simple maps, organise a 3W and support clusters. Able to work alone in sub-offices or small country officesThe OCHA policy instruction on country offices lists 10 different skillsets for Humanitarian Affairs Officers (including Head of Office, Inter-Cluster Coordinator and Protection), but only one skillset for IMOs: IM!
In reality, IM requires a diverse set of different technical and non-technical skillsets. OCHA currently recognizes five skillsets, which each map to specific skills and IM activities. A strong IM team needs members with all of these skillsets.
Coordination: This is primarily a 'soft-skill' specialization. Coordination includes management of an IM team, coordination with partners through an IM Working Group, advising the Head of Office on IM issues, recruitment, planning and day-to-day management of products and people.
Content Management: This skillset is about making information easy to find and manage. Content management includes overseeing information sharing platforms like HumanitarianResponse.info and Humanitarian ID to make sure the content is up-to-date and easy to find, overseeing document management systems and doing data entry and basic processing. Content management also includes working with partners to make sure they contribute data and information to common systems like FTS and OPS.
Data Analysis: This skillset is about working with data and information to improve situational awareness and support evidence-based planning and operations. Data analysts need to work with decision-makers and subject-matter experts to do effective analysis on impact, severity, needs, response and gaps. Data analysis is used to calculate populations in need and develop Humanitarian Needs Overviews.
Mapping: The mapping skillset is about using geographical information systems (GIS) and other tools to analysis and present spatial data. Mapping includes working on spatial common operational datasets (CODs), creating reference and operational maps, and using GIS to perform spatial analysis.
Visualization: The visualization skillset is used to turn information in insight and knowledge. It involves taking often complex data and presenting in a format that's easy to understand and tailored for a specific audience. Visualization is used to create products such as snapshots, dashboard and infographics.