Associate Geospatial Information Officer

The Associate Geospatial Information Officer will carry out his/her tasks within SGITT GIS Section which aims at providing global services to support United Nations Global Service Centre  (UNGSC), field missions, UN agencies and partners.

Under the overall supervision of UNOPS DFS Global Programme Director, the incumbent will work under Chief GIS or a designated officer and responsible for translating business requirements into data architecture deliverables and artifacts. 

Under the overall supervision of UNOPS Senior Programme Manager and the direct supervision of Chief of Mapping and Analysis, the Associate Geospatial Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

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

Implement approved methodological approaches for 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 further analyses; Keeps abreast of the latest technologies in image processing and spatial an terrain analysis.

B.         Performs spatial and terrain analysis to produce quality products and contribute to generation of reports:

Performs rigorous spatial and terrain analysis for groundwater exploration; Provides technical input in hydro-geology and geophysics. Assists in the development of technical guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for conduction of spatial and terrain analyses.

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

Applies customized workflows for processing digital elevation models (DEM) to generate specific products required for performance of 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.

D.        Conducts intensive fieldwork in support of peace operation in field missions:

Assist in planning and execution of geophysical surveys for groundwater exploration in field missions; Assist in preparation of cargo movement requests (CMRs) for equipment and accessories needed for conduction of the surveys; Collects GPS coordinates for roads, landmarks and other geospatial data. Performs other related duties as required.

E.         Assist in 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; Assist in developing and maintaining web services and dissemination of geospatial information; Assists in the timely exchange of geospatial information; Assists in performing QA/QC on all products generated and disseminated by the GIS Section; Assists in providing geospatial information training and education programmes for UN mission staff; Assists in coaching junior staff on technical matters.

Results Expected: 

Works with minimal amount of supervision; independently provides accurate deliverables in the areas of GIS

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Cartography, Geography, 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in processing, analyzing, and interpreting multispectral and radar imagery for geological applications is required, Performance of geospatial/terrain analysis and ability to conduct geo-physical surveys is also required.

Knowledge and practical experience of the following GIS software is required: ArcGIS (ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView and all extensions), ERDAS Imagine and Leica Photogrammetry Suite (LPS).

Knowledge of cartography and mapping, as well as GPS surveying is desirable.

Work experience with UN field operations is desirable.

Knowledge of base mapping, geospatial information system design and implementation, geospatial database design and development, web technologies and project management tools is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of another UN official

language is desirable.

Assessment Method

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

• 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.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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 supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

 ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Based in the New York, the UNOPS Development Group Cluster supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. For example, within the United Nations Development Programme, the Cluster works with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support and the Office of South-South Cooperation.

The cluster also supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations in the delivery of project management and implementation services