Programme Officer (Information Management)

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 128,450 USD and 165,609 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 Desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention seeks to support countries to address Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought (DLDD). (www.unccd.int)

The G20 (or Group of Twenty) is the annual international forum for the governments from 19 industrialized countries and the European Union (EU). Collectively, the G20 economies account for around 90 percent of the gross world product (GWP), 75 percent of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world’s land area. In 2020, Saudi Araba held the rotating Presidency of the G20. The G20 Leaders’ Declaration, issued on Sunday, 22 November 2020, launched a "Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats”. Building on existing initiatives and on a voluntary basis, the G20 countries share the ambition to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the amount of degraded land by 2040.

The Global Initiative (GI) with oversight from UNCCD, will focus on capacity building, engaging the private sector and civil society and showcasing success. The Director, under the oversight of the Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, manages the Initiative Coordination Office (ICO).

One of the key deliverables for the G20 Global Initiative on Land is to develop a comprehensive information management system which can be used to showcase and share best practices in land restoration and conservation of terrestrial habitats. Introducing modern technology such as artificial intelligence, robotics, drones and Internet of Things (IoT) can all be used to propagate land restoration at a faster pace. In addition, visualized data can be a powerful communication tool to increase awareness regarding land degradation and potential for land restoration. We are looking for a Programme Officer (Information Management) who will be able to bring state of the art technologies to the initiative. The incumbent of this position will need to have an expertise on both spatial and non-spatial data and experience working with environmental data.

Responsibilities The position Programme Officer (Information Management) reports directly to the Director of the Global Initiative and Initiative Coordination Office (ICO). The incumbent will be a key member of the G20 Global Initiative team and will have responsibility for creating an information management, linking with communication team for translating data to stories, coordinating with data providers to develop inter-operability and working with G20 and other countries to build capacity for evidenced based decision making on matters relating to land restoration. The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties below:

Establishing an Information Management System: - Identify and review key geospatial databases on matters relating to land use-landcover, land management, conservation, climate change and ecosystems restoration to identify key data sources to develop an information management system to support the G20 Global Initiative. - Develops, specify and maintain a geospatial data platform for the Initiative which will act as the basis for the development of information and communication products - Coordinate development of an opportunity mapping framework to support all countries to prioritize and plan their land restoration and conservation efforts - Integrate artificial intelligence into developing an opportunity mapping for restoration and conservation - Develop opportunity mapping for all countries that can be accessed by all stakeholders on an easy to navigate website - Develop fit-for-purpose simple interfaces for the opportunity maps and other evidence-based decision support system which can be used on multiple digital platforms - Prepare and coordinates the production of evidence-based integrated analysis and analytical reports, papers and products that effectively integrate operational perspectives in support of senior-level decision-making. - Translate Global Initiative organizational needs into analytics and reporting requirements to support decisions, strategies and action with data and information.

Data Visualization and Communication: - Work with the communication team of the G20 Initiative, UNCCD as well as external partners to create visual outputs appropriate to the various stakeholders - Work with communication experts, develop Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Extended Reality to present data in exhibitions and events - Lead field-based data gathering using satellite image analyses and drones which can be used for communication Coordination with Data and technology Providers - Create a network of data and technology providers who are relevant to the topics of sustainable land management, land restoration and conservation - Conduct periodic workshops on data collection, standardization, interoperability, data security, privacy, etc and bring out reports - Introduce the potential for use of modern technologies such as drones, Artificial intelligence and IoT for data gathering into the data managers’ network and create a coalition of the willing for digital transformation - Establish protocols and contracts for data exchange within the network as well as bilaterally so that the data can be used by various providers and stakeholders ensuring the ownership and security matters are addressed

Capacity Building on Information Management: - Conduct training needs assessment for information management across all stakeholders of the G20 project including the G20 team itself - Coordinate development of training packages on information management, including modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Drones, IoTs which can be delivered online as well as offline - Organize trainings online as well as offline for various stakeholders on a regular manner

Other Duties: - Collaborates with colleagues across the UNCCD and UN System to identify integrated analysis and data analytics needs and support data-driven projects. - Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the Global Initiative and its office.

Competencies Professionalism: Advanced technical qualifications and broad knowledge of geospatial and other data; ability to integrate knowledge with the Organization’s broader strategic, policy and operational objectives; conceptual and strategic analytical capacity to understand geographic information applications and mapping in general. Ability to oversee and quality-check work completed by other team members. Ability to identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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.

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.

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 Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or PhD) in data science, natural resource management, geography, statistics, geographic information systems (GIS), information management or related field, is required. A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in the field may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the field of geospatial information management, applied integrated analysis, data-driven research, analytics or information management in international affairs is required.

Experience in developing and delivering Geospatial training programmes is required

Experience in big data analyses, artificial intelligence and use of modern technologies is desirable.

Experience with self-service analytics and data visualization applications is desirable.

Experience in conducting geospatial data collection campaign at scale and in applying geospatial information for Ecosystem monitoring is desirable.

Languages For this position, fluency in oral and written English language is required. Knowledge of another UN official language would be an advantage.

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

Special Notice Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UNCCD in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

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.