ICT Specialist (Geospatial Information Systems)

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

The Department of Operational Support (DOS) is responsible for the delivery and maintenance of the Field Technology Sections’ (FTS) infrastructure, systems and software applications in support of the operational requirements of Peacekeeping Missions, Special Political Missions, as well as Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and DOS at Headquarters.

The Office of Information and Communication Technology (OICT) is continuing to install, test and manage the complex array of ICT infrastructure systems required in Valencia and Brindisi. The Office is focused on implementing ICT architecture and standard-setting efforts; the planning and execution of major infrastructure improvements for the field; the development and implementation of, and support for, Organization-wide and major shared applications; integrated IT project management support activities; the coordination of disaster recovery and business continuity planning for the field; the planning of ICT investments in line with strategy and priorities; and, the operational oversight of ICT related functions at the United Nations Global Service Center (UNGSC) and its Service for Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies in the Global Service Centre, Valencia-Brindisi (SGITT).

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting projects carried out within SGITT CSD Section which aims at providing global services to support UNGSC, field missions, UN agencies and partners.  The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

The ICT Specialist (Geospatial Information Systems) will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Apply defined technical specifications for products to be derived from satellite/aerial imagery
2. Perform spatial and terrain analysis to produce quality products and contribute to generation of reports
3. Apply customized models and workflows for 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional analyses
4. Conduct intensive fieldwork in support of peace operation in field missions
5. Coordinate data collection and performance of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
6. Support borehole drilling operations in UN missions

1.    Apply defined technical specifications for products to be derived from satellite/aerial
             imagery:

• Processing and interpretation of multispectral and radar imagery to generate products and information related to natural and man-made surface features, geological features, terrain configuration, hydrology, vegetation, sites of interest, etc.;
• Performs image processing tasks to produce quality image maps and orthorectified color balanced mosaics;
• Produces indices from imagery (mineral indices, soil moisture content indices, etc.) to be used in the creation of geological maps;
• Keeps abreast of the latest technologies in image processing and spatial & terrain analysis.

2.    Perform spatial and terrain analysis to produce quality products and contribute to
             generation of reports:

• Performs spatial and terrain analysis for groundwater exploration;
• Provides technical input in hydrogeology and geophysics.
• Develops technical guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for conduction of spatial and terrain analyses.

3.    Apply customized models and workflows for 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional
             analyses:

• Creates hydrological and hydrogeological numerical models for groundwater basins, using industry standard software, to quantify groundwater reserves and identify groundwater potential around mission camps and installations;
• Applies customized workflows for processing digital elevation models (DEM) to generate specific products required for spatial and terrain analysis;
• Uses developed workflows for production of contours, slopes, aspects, and shaded relief to be used in a variety of geospatial applications such as line of sight analysis, trafficability, etc.);
• Contributes to production of quality data, timely and accurate information, and reports to support field missions' operations and decision-making processes.

4.    Conduct intensive fieldwork in support of peace operation in field missions:

• Plans and executes geophysical surveys for groundwater exploration in field missions;
• Conducts well assessment activities, including pumping tests, borehole camera surveys and make recommendations for well rehabilitation;
• Designs groundwater monitoring programmes and analyses data from groundwater sensors to ensure sustainable management of groundwater resources within mission areas of operation.

5.    Coordinate data collection and performance of quality assurance and quality control
           (QA/QC):

• Engages in the timely preparation, maintenance and provision of geospatial information in support of UN field mission's operations;
• Collects, processes and evaluates geospatial data including vector, raster and thematic data;
• Works with the technical team in the development and maintenance of web services and dissemination of geospatial information;
• Coordinates timely exchange of geospatial information;
• Performs QA/QC on all products generated and disseminated by the GIS Section.

• Performs drilling supervision of third-party drilling contractors;
• Works with contractors and provides technical supervision and guidance on drilling activities;
• Supports drilling contract procurement activities, including Scope of Work and Bill of Quantities preparation and contractor bid evaluation.

The result of work of the ICT Specialist (Geospatial Information Systems) impacts directly on delivery of services that satisfy the requirements of the Section as well as the performance of the services implemented. It will also ensure proper processes and methodologies are followed and implemented according to the latest of the industry standards. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring activities for all global locations are in line with the overall business targets and UN policies, rules and regulations.

The incumbent is expected to work with minimal amount of supervision to independently provides accurate deliverables in the areas of GIS, Hydrogeology and Groundwater Service delivery.

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in Geology, Hydrogeology, Geophysics, Remote Sensing, Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) or related fields. 

• A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in processing, analyzing, and interpreting multispectral and radar imagery for hydrogeological applications is required; 

• Performance of geospatial/terrain analysis and ability to conduct geo-physical surveys is also required; 

•  Excellent knowledge and practical experience of GIS software such as ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro,  or QGIS is required. 

•  Excellent knowledge of image processing software, such as Erdas Imagine, ENVI, Google Earth Engine, or SNAP is required.

Desirable(The following experience is optional.  Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• Experience in Existing Wells Assessment and Rehabilitation is highly desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) methods and data analysis is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of hydrological and hydrogeological numerical modelling software;
• Knowledge of cartography and mapping, as well as GPS surveying;
• Work experience with UN field operations;
• Knowledge of base mapping, geospatial information system design and implementation, geospatial database design and development, web technologies and project management methodologies;
• Knowledge of geospatial python libraries and Jupyter Notebook implementation.

• For this job opening, fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required; 

• Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) 
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 2)
Contract duration: Open-ended (renewable subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance)

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - Sustainable Development Cluster 

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.