Geospatial Officer

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 74,649 USD and 97,747 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 The position is located in the Programme Development and Management Unit (PDMU), Research and Trend Analysis Branch (RAB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA), UNODC in Vienna, Austria. The Geospatial Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer.

For more information on UNODC, please visit our website: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

- Provide technical support and serve as point of contact for the collection and analysis of geospatial information and maps in support of drugs and crime monitoring.

- Provide guidance on the geographic presentation of data and the development of maps to be included in UNODC publications related to the monitoring of illicit cultivation, production and trafficking and implement quality assurance/quality control procedures for geospatial data and maps generated and disseminated by the Research and Trend Analysis Branch.

- Provide project and technical support to the implementation of the Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme (ICMP) at headquarters and in UNODC field offices, in particular in Latin America, as well as the Drugs Monitoring Platform (DMP), an online system for collecting, monitoring and mapping drug-related data located at headquarters.

- Participate in the development, implementation and monitoring of assigned programmes/projects, etc; liaise with relevant parties; identify and track follow-up actions; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions.

- Develop plans for satellite image data acquisition and processing, in consultation with ICMP national teams as well as other experts in RAB.

- Ensure the control of the quality of the data collected during the ICMP surveys, particularly those data related to the analysis of geographic data.

- Participate in the design of surveys to monitor the cultivation and production of illicit drugs, illegal mining and provide guidelines on the technical processes and analysis of the data.

- Review and suggest improvements of existing survey methods and analysis, making use of innovative tools and methodologies, including AI.

- Coordinate and serve as point of contact on geospatial issues with UNODC Field Offices, UN agencies, research institutes, academia.

- Provide guidance on the integration of all aspects of drug production information and data into the DMP.

- Review and suggest enhancement of DMP data visualization functionalities and support the integration of data sources to increase DMP comprehensiveness; and promote DMP's contribution to UNODC activities through its mapping and data visualization capacity.

- Liaise with UNODC and other experts, officials of governments and research institutions, representatives of national, regional and global organizations in identification of relevant sources of information on drug trafficking, specifically, individual drug seizures to improve DMP performance and overall utility; suggest opportunities for project expansion and development with a focus on the Latin American region;

- Engage in technical training of national and international staff to support the strengthening of remote sensing and GIS capacities in UNODC field offices and national governments.

- Undertake field missions in order to support UNODC field offices and national governments in the field of remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS).

- Undertake any other related activities, as may be required.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Has knowledge of remote sensing and geographical/geospatial information systems (GIS) principles and practices. Is able to conduct independent research and assist in the design and interpretation of the cultivation of illicit crops using geographic/geospatial information systems. Is able to identify and participate in the resolution of issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Is able to design data collection and analysis procedures to regularly monitor the cultivation of illicit drugs and other aspects of drug trafficking. Has knowledge of implementing complex statistical activities. Has good knowledge relevant to technical cooperation and project implementation matters. Has excellent coordination and communication skills and is able to coordinate with a wide variety of stakeholders. Is able to evaluate and to respond to the needs of users and stakeholders. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of remote sensing and GIS techniques. 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.

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.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in geography, statistics, geospatial sciences or natural resources related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the design and implementation of survey techniques, remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS), land and vegetation monitoring or related areas, is required. Practical experience in the implementation of remote sensing techniques and geographical information systems (GIS) is required. Experience in the use of GIS software such as ArcGIS and ERDAS Imagine is required. Practical experience in project planning, management, implementation and reporting/monitoring is required. Experience with other data collection and geo-database systems, as well as web technology is desirable. Experience in working with national and international organizations, including law enforcement agencies is desirable.

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

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice This is a project post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds.

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.

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.

Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).

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.