Geospatial Information Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Secretariat for the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management, Statistics Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The Geospatial Information Officer reports to the Chief of Section. The Secretariat undertakes substantial activities in order to support the Committee’s global architecture and normative and implementation work on global geospatial information management, including implementing the recommendations of the Committee approved by the Economic and Social Council, and the General Assembly, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Integrated Geospatial Information Framework.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Geospatial Information Officer is responsible for the following: – Lead and oversees the technical aspects of geospatial information tools, enabling technologies and resources, and development of new products and standards in response to Member State geospatial needs. – Formulate and direct geospatial information and technology strategies, policies and plans, as aligned to the strategic pathways of the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF) and aimed towards implementation of UN-IGIF country-level action plans. – Lead the development, coordination and management of external capacity development partnerships and other relevant stakeholders. – Provide leadership and guidance to assist the Committee of Experts in determining the future geospatial information ecosystem for Member States and society. – Translates organizational needs into analytics and reporting requirements to support decisions, strategies and workflows with geospatial data and information. – Implements and documents processes, best practices, tools and quality assurances so that geospatial information assets are managed in a secured and efficient way, promoted and used by all potential stakeholders. – Formulates and directs geospatial information and technology strategies, policies and plans. – Provides technical inputs for the development of methodologies for geospatial information analysis, baseline data collection, definition of geospatial information products and technology services to support end users. – Provides operational, technical and analytical expertise to projects and colleagues across departments by understanding how to apply the principles, practices and added value of geospatial information. – Evaluates new technology training needs of geospatial information management staff. – Keep track of trends and developments in geospatial information technologies and good analysis and practices, tools, etc. – Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the mandate and operational focus of the Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management, the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework. Ability to provide technical advice in the development and implementation of policies, programmes and methodologies. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to senior management. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and proficiency in subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent degree) in geography, geospatial information, survey and mapping (geomatics or geoinformatics), geospatial or Earth sciences, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in geospatial information management and applied geospatial analytics, methodologies and/or quality control, mapping, data visualization, stakeholder management or related area is required. Experience in managing geospatial programme, resources, technologies and capabilities and related innovation nationally is required Experience in using geospatial information to guide decisions, develop strategic direction and oversee execution is required. Experience with supervising diverse teams and managing complex programmes or projects are required. Experience in regional geospatial programmes is desirable. Experience in providing substantive support to inter-governmental bodies in international or regional settings is desirable. Experience in working in international organizations or settings is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 Nov 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.