Remote Sensing Expert

Contract

This is a UNV International Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Expert contracts.

Since 1997, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been helping make the world safer from drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism. The organisation is the guardian of most of the related conventions, particularly: • The international drug control conventions • The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three protocols (against trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants and trafficking in firearms) • The United Nations Convention against Corruption This UNV assignment is part of UNODCs project “AFGF98 - Monitoring of opium production in Afghanistan” and located in the UNODC Regional Office of Central Asia, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The project operates within the technical framework of the UNODC Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme, which is located in the Research and Trend Analysis Branch (RAB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Vienna, Austria. It supports the international community and concerned governments in the monitoring of illicit crop cultivation in various regions of the world. The incumbents will work under the direct supervision of the assigned UNODC survey officer for remote sensing/GIS, and will support the implementation of the AFG/F98 project as well as other activities of UNODC in the region.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the assigned survey officers or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Remote Sensing Expert will:

• Assist in the planning and implementation of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) related research on illicit activities in Afghanistan
• Contribute the remote sensing area and yield surveys by analyzing respective data including the download, layer stacking, mosaicking and ortho-rectification of the satellite images;
• Applying GIS and remote sensing techniques for interpretation and visual digitalization of very-high-resolution satellite imagery; Quality check of poppy field visual interpretation products.
• Conduct multi-date imagery analysis for studying crop dynamics; manage and record image analysis files on daily base; visually rank poppy fields in very high resolution satellite imagery for opium yield and production estimation;
• Manage and organize the satellite images catalogue, and maintain the information extracted from satellite data;
• Update the acquisition time windows for satellite imagery using time series imagery as appropriate; updating the agriculture mask using medium to high-resolution imagery for the key sample provinces.
• Provide mapping and other GIS support the project and related activities, including to generate land-cover maps at community level for assessing the impact of AD projects of UNODC and UNDP; maps for the annual opium survey reports and related research products; verification of large-scale interventions of AD projects of UNODC and UNDP projects with satellite imagery, monitoring of illicit activities in Central Asia.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• As an active UNODC team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNODC and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: - Delivery of the base data needed for annual opium poppy cultivation and production estimates for Afghanistan. - Delivery of updated auxiliary data such as the potential agriculture mask for Afghanistan, ranking of fields for yield surveys, crop signature data, and others - Generation of baseline, mid-term and final land-cover maps for alternative development projects in Afghanistan. - Support monitoring and evaluation of Alternative Development interventions

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment

• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNODC; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNODC procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNODC in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNODC’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

A first-level university degree or equivalent in combination with relevant training and/or relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree;

Experience • At least 15 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in GIS, remote sensing, and crop monitoring or other relevant areas are required; • Experience in agricultural assessments and crop classification based on remote sensing data, including visual interpretation of satellite imagery is required • At least 15 years of experience in applying GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) is required. • Applicants are ready to intensively work on satellite images interpretation for consecutive hours • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Experience in research on illegal activities is an asset, as is experience in working with the UN or other international development organizations; • Have affinity with or interest in drug control, organized crime and research, as well as in volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including government counterparts

• The UN Volunteer will be based in Tashkent the capital of Uzbekistan; living conditions are generally good and housing and basic services are accessible to the entire population.
• Living conditions in any city of Uzbekistan including Tashkent are generally good. There is a great variety of activities in these cities, from tourism, theater, cinema, cultural and sports activities, and restaurants that offer typical local and regional food, as well as international cuisine.
• Medical services in Tashkent (private clinics and hospitals) are available. Visitors are advised that some clinics require a down payment before admitting a patient, even in emergency situations. Visitors should take medical precautions and should seek advice before travelling. Travelers must have vaccination certificates against yellow fever, malaria, measles and chickenpox, as some airlines require passengers to carry such documents.
• Candidates selected for International UNV assignments may also need to start their assignments remotely in cases where access to UN premises is restricted. The host entities will be responsible for these decisions caused by COVID-19. Candidates are encouraged to discuss travel requirements, any restrictions and possible alternative arrangements during their interview with the host entity.
• If selected, candidates should carefully consider the terms of the UNV offer before accepting it. The duration of the contract is for the period indicated above, with the possibility of extension, subject to the availability of funds, operational needs and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Travel to the duty station (if applicable) and a Settling Allowance will be provided in the event that the duty station is not in an area close to the recruitment site.
• Subsistence Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of the month each month to cover accommodation, utilities and other basic needs. It includes life, health and permanent disability insurance (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as the repatriation subsidy (if applicable) and resettlement benefit for satisfactory service.
• As this is an international UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.
• National UN Volunteer Specialist receives approximately US$XXXX as Monthly Living Allowance.
• Provided with assignment travel cost and entry lumpsum if applicable.
• Enrolled in health, life, disability insurance.
• Entitled to annual leave, 2.5 days per month.
• Provided with exit lumpsum to support transition at the end of assignment.

Working with UNODC in Uzbekistan under the Afghanistan opium survey project provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to work with the UN are essential.

For more information about UNV Conditions of Service and Entitlements, please refer to the following: https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer/volunteer-your-country https://www.unv.org/sites/default/files/unvpf/UNVcos2021%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_30.08.2021.pdf