GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION OFFICER

Contract

This is a FS-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-6 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) provides critical Supply Chain, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to all Secretariat Entities, Peacekeeping and Special Political Missions, Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the UN system worldwide.

The position is located in the Solutions Support Unit (SSU) of the Client Solutions Delivery Section (CSDS) within the Service for Geospatial, Information and Telecommunication Technologies (SGITT) at the UNGSC, Brindisi, Italy. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Chief SSU or other designated officer.

The post shall focus on effectively supporting data management. This includes building, managing and optimizing data pipelines and architectures to support the production of geo-analytics in compliance with data governance, protection, privacy and security requirements.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Geospatial Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Takes responsibility for the timely preparation, maintenance and provision of geospatial information and maps in support of the UNGSC operations; Coordinates the collection, processing, evaluation and dissemination of geospatial data, including vector, raster and thematic data; Conducts geospatial/terrain analysis studies and prediction of the effects of terrain, weather and situation on the UNGSC operations; Implements quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures for all products generated and disseminated by the Section, including geospatial data and maps.
• Collects, processes (Extraction Transformation and Load - ETL), and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting; Ensures that requirements and background information used for data analysis are documented.
• Designs, implements and maintains the global hybrid geospatial system as well as other geospatial information systems (GlS) and associated services, ensuring compliance with data governance, protection, privacy, and security requirements; Designs, implements and maintains system backup and disaster recovery plans; Designs, implements and maintains UNGSC’s internal workflows (automating manual processes, optimizing data delivery, re-designing architecture for greater scalability) related to geospatial and non-geospatial information infrastructure including servers and network, GIS Cloud, IoT and AR/VR/MR technologies; and leads the development of geospatial information and mapping applications including web-based applications, and mobile applications, applying ITIL, Agile and DevOps practices.
• Coordinates the collection, processing, storage and dissemination of geospatial data with UN Field Offices, DOS UNGIS Section, UNGSC customers, including UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, and Offices Away of HQ (OAH); and Assists in the promotion of services and undertakes day-to-day geospatial operation matters.
• Provides input and conducts geospatial information training and education programmes for UN staff; Participates in mission start-up and other field work as required;

• Manages junior staff and consultants in carrying out technical tasks in the Section/Unit.

  Competencies Professionalism: Advanced technical qualifications and broad knowledge of geographic information systems. Demonstrated skills in designing data models and architecture for geospatial solutions, and data geo-enrichment. Capability to apply geospatial technologies for UN operations. Good analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to handle a range of geospatial data models/geo-databases, data pipelines, data lakes and related issues. Knowledge of data analysis life cycle from ingest and wrangling to analysis and visualization to present findings; Ability to establish priorities and direct others to undertake activities and perform associated tasks in accordance with project plans to ensure timely delivery of results. Ability to work under pressure and occasionally in a highly stressful environment. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification Technical qualification in Geospatial Sciences (Cartography, Geography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or equivalent) which involves geospatial information and image processing programmes is required.

Certification in Project Management (e.g. Prince 2) is desirable.

Certification in any Agile Practice (e.g. DevOps) is desirable.

Certification of data engineering and modelling (e.g. Azure Data Factory, Data Pipeline, etc.) is desirable.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in geospatial information (e.g. geospatial information applications, geospatial database management, geospatial/terrain analysis, cartography and mapping, image processing, GPS and surveying) or related fields is required. The minimum of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates who posses a first level University degree.

Experience in non-geospatial database management, and static and dynamic data management is desirable.

Experience of proprietary and open-source database systems (MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, ArcGIS Enterprise), data management tools (Data Factory, Data Pipeline, Apache NiFi), software programming languages (SQL, R, Phyton, JavaScript) and web technology is desirable.

Experience in the use of information systems software for desktop and cloud-based infrastructure (ESRI, Azure, AWS, & Open Source) is desirable.

Experience in managing teams is desirable.

Experience in data analytics and integration with innovative technologies such as IoT or related area is desirable.

Experience in applying Agile Methodologies in the design and development of geospatial solutions is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English, (oral and written) is required.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.