Geospatial Information Officer (Chief Cartographic Unit)

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.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 171,387 USD and 220,969 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Geospatial Information Section (GIS), Technology Operations Service (TOS), Operations Support Division (OSD), in the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT).

The Geospatial Information Section provides geospatial information and services in support of the decision making and operational needs of the Security Council, the Secretariat and United Nations Peace Operations, and manages the programme for United Nations (UN) field mission geospatial information operations. The Geospatial Information Section provides clearance of maps for the United Nations as per UN Guidelines for the publication of maps (ST/AI/189/Add.25/Rev.1); programme management of the United Nations GeoData and Second Administrative Level Boundaries (SALB); technical assistance on international boundary issues, and serves, together with the Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the Secretariat functions to the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). The Section also provides geospatial services including map production, geospatial and terrain analysis and other support services to United Nations field missions in coordination with the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) in Brindisi, Italy.

The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Geospatial Information Section.

The United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology is making efforts to improve gender parity. We are committed to providing an inclusive culture and exciting opportunities for women in the ICT field.

Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Geospatial Information Section, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:

• Manages and provides cartographic and geospatial information services in support of the decision-making and operational needs of the United Nations dealing dynamically with the life cycle of geospatial information development - from the initial information request to collection, analysis, compilation, presentation and dissemination of the geospatial information service to the substantive offices of the Secretariat and the Security Council;
• Manages the provision of cartographic and geospatial information services to the Security Council;
• Produces country profile maps, peacekeeping force deployment maps, situation briefing maps, maps for UN publication, etc.;
• Provides clearance of all maps published under the United Nations Secretariat;
• Provides and maintain geospatial information database (geo-database) including satellite imagery and gazetteers;
• Conducts international boundary related studies, maintains international boundary geo-database and provides technical assistance on international boundary issues;
• Coordinates the access and sharing of geospatial information with other departments and offices in the Secretariat and United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, that provides support to the United Nations operations;
• Develops cartographic and geospatial information policies, standards and guidelines;

• Performs other functions as required.

  Competencies - Professionalism: Broad knowledge of all aspects of Cartography, Geography, geospatial information systems (GIS) and its related matters; ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand cartographic/geospatial product and mapping; provides strategic and technical guidance to the senior leadership; ability to work under pressure to meet urgent operational demands of the Secretariat or Security Council. 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.

• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

• Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

  Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in Cartography, Geography, Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) or other related discipline that involves cartographic production and geospatial/terrain analysis and services. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

  Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in cartographic production and geospatial information related work, particularly in the areas of: (a) cartographic production, (b) geospatial information analysis, (c) planning and management of cartography and geospatial information related projects, and (d) map publication and clearance, is required. Experience in international boundary issues is required. Experience in the use of digital cartographic software such as Adobe Illustrator and MaPublisher and GIS software such as ArcGIS and QGIS is required. Experience in supporting United Nations field operations specifically in geospatial information systems is desirable. Experience with spatial database such as ArcSDE, PostGIS and PostgreSQL is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

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

  Special Notice Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

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.