Programme Management - Senior Officer (Open-source Earth Observation Innovation) - [RETAINER]

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.

Global Portfolios Office (GPO), New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) 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.

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.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), Innovation Cell (IC) to implement project activities supporting the area of new methods and emerging technologies in preventive diplomacy and mediation.  

Responding to the Secretary-General’s call for the United Nations to leverage emerging technologies and innovative practices, DPPA established an Innovation Cell in 2020. This team has been pivotal in leading experimentation and pilot projects, both at headquarters and within special political missions. The IC has significantly advanced inclusivity in peace and political processes through AI-driven digital dialogues in countries such as Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Guinea, and Bolivia. Additionally, it has launched new tools such as an environmental database using open-source satellite data, fostering transboundary dialogues on climate change and its intersections with peace and security. Most recently, it has entered into partnerships with other UN entities to ensure the scalability and sustainability of this tool.

To contribute to the Innovation Cell’s pioneering efforts in harnessing open-source earth observation data, the incumbent will collaborate with the open-source earth observation innovation analyst and the focal point in the Innovation Cell, focused on three objectives for 2025:

• Project Management: Advancing DPPA’s open-source dashboard, Geoguard, both for DPPA stakeholders and for new and nascent stakeholders relevant to UN entities as identified. Focusing on user engagement, training related to the tool’s useability for conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts.
• Providing Technical Direction: Offering guidance to DPPA’s open-source earth observation initiatives for enhanced political analysis and transboundary cooperation, responding to ad-hoc requests to apply open-source tools effectively.
• Staying Ahead of Emerging Technologies: Keeping abreast of new developments in open-source earth observation technology, such as AI-enhanced computations, relevant for peace and security use cases. This involves convening scientific, academic, and peace and security exchanges, and providing quarterly updates on emerging geospatial technology trends.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

The incumbent will closely collaborate with end-users (such as regional desks and field presences) and advanced data analytics partners, including researchers and open-source geospatial engineering service providers. Their role will involve user-testing of project deliverables and outputs, ensuring effective monitoring and practical application throughout the project’s progression. A seasoned technical senior officer, skilled in open-source earth observation for peace and security and experienced in project and stakeholder management, will serve as the principal senior officer. This senior officer will oversee monitoring and evaluation processes and recommend necessary corrective actions.

This position in UNOPS requires close coordination with DPPA/IC. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Under the supervision of Project Manager and in close collaboration with the Innovation Cell programme manager, the incumbent will be responsible for the following: 

• In consultation with the project manager develop a plan for expanding Geoguard based on the needs of DPPA (notably the Climate, Peace and Security Unit) and partner UN entities. This plan should include timelines, resource allocation, coordination mechanisms with regional desks, field presences, and service providers, as well as specific steps for implementation. It should also include a sustainability and knowledge transfer plan of Geoguard.
• User-Testing and Feedback Reports: Create regular reports documenting the user-testing process of project deliverables. These reports will be generated both in-person at workshops and virtually, based on feedback from stakeholders identified. 
• Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: Support programme manager in developing and implementing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the progress and impact of the Geoguard expansion. This framework should include key performance indicators, monitoring schedules, and evaluation methodologies.
• Project and Stakeholder Management Documentation: Provide regular updates and reports on project management aspects, including stakeholder engagement strategies, project milestones, challenges faced, and corrective actions taken.
• Academic and Technical Partnerships: Engaging in the establishment and documentation of partnerships with academic and technical entities. These partnerships should focus on advanced modeling for environmental phenomena like dust storms and their implications for peace and security
• Engaging in the production of technical documents, research papers, or case studies, particularly focusing on the application of open-source earth observation in peace and security contexts. This might include insights gained from the expansion of Geoguard, innovative uses of geospatial data as relevant to DPPA’s mandate, and outcomes of the new predictive models developed.
• Advisory and Consultative Contributions: Contribute to discussions on project directions, potential enhancements, and alignment with broader organizational goals.     

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Effective development of the GeoGuard expansion workplan and public-facing products will align with project objectives. 
• Key deliverables include a stakeholder list, at least two published products, user engagement workshops, and a checklist of open-source earth observation tools for peace and security agenda.
• Progress will be tracked through workshop reports on implementation and horizon scanning, with a final lessons learned report informing future initiatives.

Payment Plan:

• Payment for the retainer contract will be made based on actual working units completed, as verified through approved timesheets and deliverables.

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

a. Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Environmental Sciences, Economic, Environmental Policy, Political Science, law or in field related to the post description with two (2) years of relevant experience is required; OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Environmental Sciences, Economic, Environmental Policy, Political Science, law or in a field related to the post description with four (4) years of relevant experience is desirable.

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in managing geospatial projects and/or conducting research and analysis on issues related to conflict and imagery analysis, humanitarian affairs, disaster risk reduction or related fields.

Desired experience:  (The following experience and skills are optional, candidates who do not have them are welcome to apply)

• At least one year of experience managing geospatial projects at the international level, such as a multilateral organization, for a peace and security mandate is desirable.
• Training experience to UN Staff and stakeholders on open-source geospatial tools relevant to peace and security is desirable.

c. Language:

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required. 

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.