GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about P-4 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre (UN-GGKIC), Statistics Division (SD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), based in Deqing, China. The Geospatial Information Officer reports to the Senior Geospatial Information Officer.

The Centre’s overarching goal is to work towards the ambitions of implementation of the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) set by Member States, to develop capacity, promote and support the required innovation, leadership, coordination and standards to develop, strengthen, integrate and deliver national geospatial information policy, data, systems, tools, services and capabilities into their national government development policies, strategies and arrangements.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, under the direct supervision of the Senior Geospatial Information Officer, the Geospatial Information Officer will act as the Lead for the Centre’s Science and Innovation Team and responsible for the following: • Takes the lead to implement projects and activities of the UN-GGKIC in accordance with the agreed Framework Plan of the Centre, including promoting geospatial sciences and innovation, technical and capacity development activities. • Leads the development of the required innovation and sharing of geospatial sciences to develop, strengthen, integrate and deliver national geospatial information policy, data, systems, tools, services and capabilities into their national government development policies, strategies and arrangements. • Undertakes the development of guidance, approaches and sound practices on geospatial information management and related technologies and methodologies, preparation of publications, guides and manuals. • Translates organizational needs into analytics and reporting requirements to support decisions, strategies and workflows with geospatial data and information. • Leads and oversees the technical aspects of geospatial information tools and resources, and development of new approaches to respond to the delivery of the overarching goal of the Centre and organizational needs. • Implements and documents processes, best practices, tools and quality assurances so that the Centre’s projects and activities are managed in a secured and efficient way, promoted and embraced by all potential stakeholders. • Provides technical inputs for the development of methodologies for geospatial information analysis, baseline data collection, definition of mapping products and geospatial information and technology services to support the overarching goal of the Centre. • Provides operational, technical and analytical expertise to projects and colleagues within the Centre by understanding how to apply the principles, practices and added value of geospatial information. • Evaluates needs, identifies and operationalizes partnerships. • Evaluates new technology training needs of geospatial information management staff. • Keep track of trends and developments in geospatial analysis, technologies, best practices, tools, etc. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the operational focus of the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management, the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework. Ability to provide technical advice in the development and implementation of policies, programmes and methodologies with a view to strengthening geospatial resources and capacities. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and proficiency in the 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.

• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider innovative ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in geography, geospatial information, earth sciences, computer sciences, statistics, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in geospatial information management, applied spatial analytics, surveying and mapping, data visualization, stakeholder management or related area is required.

Experience in managing geospatial information, resources and capabilities and related innovation nationally is required.

Experience in using geospatial data and information to guide decisions, develop strategic direction and oversee execution is required.

Experience in geospatial information and technologies management such as database management and analysis, mapping, development of spatial methodologies and/or quality control is required.

Experience in project management is required.

Experience in international organizations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the official languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English, both oral and written, is required; knowledge of Chinese or other UN official languages is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a project post. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereofare subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.