Geospatial Intern

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 to join our team as  Geospatial Intern.

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. 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.

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements. The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Technical Services Unit (TSU) engages in multidisciplinary design and design review, assessments and advisory work for infrastructure related UNOPS projects.  The team currently comprises 18 permanent and 60+ retainer (consultant) personnel including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, GIS and specialist infrastructure practitioners (for dams, ICT, safeguards, biomedical works inter alia) and CAD technicians in addition to support personnel.  

Our current and recent projects are based in Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Madagascar.  These projects comprise a range of types of horizontal and vertical infrastructure

The Unit is based in Nairobi, but works extensively in other locations, via travel and by using the network of retainer (consultant) personnel based elsewhere in Africa and beyond. The team has been increasingly tasked with advising on wider issues within the built environment, such as mapping, data analytics, safeguards and infrastructure carbon.

The TSU is a business unit for the Multi-Country office and works under the direction of the Director for East and Southern Africa office (KEMC).

The Geospatial Intern will work as part of the Technical Services Unit (TSU) Advisory stream and will assist in data collection, processing, and analysis for evidence-based decision-making on the design and construction of infrastructure. S/he will also work in conjunction with the TSU Geospatial Team and other personnel within the unit. S/he should be familiar with basic academic principles of Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, surveying, and data analytics, and be able to clearly communicate relevant data infographics and maps to stakeholders.

The intern will play a pivotal role in supporting the experienced geospatial team, assisting with various Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Topographic Surveying tasks. Through hands-on experience, the intern will develop practical skills that will enhance their future career prospects. The intern will have access to the UNOPS Learning Zone Platform for skill development and will also have the opportunity to contribute innovative solutions to geospatial challenges, leveraging their academic background. This will involve engaging in activities such as (but not limited to) the following;

a. Technical and Quality assurance

• Assisting in topographic survey assessments and fieldwork, including field data processing and reporting on site findings.

• Assisting in data collection and management, gathering spatial data from various sources, organizing and maintaining  GIS database.

• Assisting in data analysis to support project planning and design.

• Assisting in the preparation of maps and infographics for project presentations and reports.

• Assisting in collaboration and integration by working with project teams to integrate GIS data into project workflows.

• Assisting in providing technical support and troubleshooting for GIS related issues.

• Assisting in documenting GIS processes, methodologies, and best practices.

• Assisting in reporting and presentations based on GIS analyses.

• Participating in training sessions and workshops to enhance GIS skills and stay updated with GIS technology advancements and industry trends.

• Perform any other tasks as directed by the Geospatial Officer.

b. Collaboration and knowledge sharing

• Identify specialist expertise that may be required

• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure coherent documents

• Actively and regularly participate in TSU informal and formal meetings.

a. Education:

• Secondary school education is required;

• To be eligible for this particular internship with UNOPS, the candidate must be studying towards a university degree or have graduated in the past three years prior to the application date of the internship in either of the following areas: Geography, Geomatics, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Engineering  and/or a relevant field.

b. Work Experience:

• Experience working in a busy organization will be an added advantage.

c. Language:

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.