Geospatial Information Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Geospatial Information Section (GIS) of the Technology Operations Service (TOS), Operations Support Division (OSD) in the Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT). The incumbent reports to the Chief, Geospatial Information Section or his/her designated officer. The Geospatial Information Section provides geospatial information and services in support of the decision making and operational needs of the Security Council, the Secretariat and United Nations Peace Operations, and manages the programme for United Nations (UN) field mission geospatial information operations. The Geospatial Information Section provides clearance of maps for the United Nations as per UN Guidelines for the publication of maps (ST/AI/189/Add.25/Rev.1); programme management of the United Nations Geodata and Second Administrative Level Boundaries (SALB); technical assistance on international boundary issues, and serves, together with the Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the Secretariat functions to the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM). The Section also provides geospatial services including map production, geospatial and terrain analysis and other support services to United Nations field missions in coordination with the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) in Brindisi, Italy. The Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) is leading the digital transformation of the Organization to enable a better, safer, more sustainable future through secure, reliable, and innovative technology solutions. OICT is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. OICT supports the principles of work-life balance and flexible work arrangements. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Geospatial Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Provides cartographic and geospatial information support to the Security Council and its Panels of Experts. • Conducts research on relevant geospatial and geopolitical issues from various sources, internal and external geospatial information databases. • Prepares small-scale briefing maps and presentation materials. • Conducts cartographic/geospatial presentation at the Security Council closed consultations. • Consults with the requesting office/department to ensure all cartographic/geospatial products are prepared in a timely and appropriate manner. • Provides geospatial information support to UN field operations, including peacekeeping operations. • Conducts research, collection, validation and compilation of geospatial data, including place names, for map and geospatial analysis products. • Prepares medium-scale planning and operation maps, from the UN geo-database (UN Geodata). • Prepares small-scale peacekeeping force deployment maps. • Provides geospatial information support to the Secretariat and the Member States. • Prepares small-scale country profile maps and medium-scale reference maps from UN geo- database (UN Geodata). • Keeps UN geo-database (UN Geodata) updated in a timely and accurate manner in alignment with the UN Geodata management architecture. • Provides review and guidance for all maps published under the UN Secretariat as per UN Guidelines for the publication of maps (ST/AI/189/Add.25/Rev.1). • Conducts research and study on international boundary issues, in particular disputed boundaries. • Maintains UN international boundary information system and Second Administrative Level Boundary (SALB). • Manage the activities of SALB Programme ensuring efficient communication and full integration with other UN initiatives and programmes. • Participates in the activities related to the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) and the UN Geospatial Network. • Perform other duties assigned as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Substantive knowledge of cartography and geospatial information technology as it pertains to small and medium scale map production and related matters. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of 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. 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 with 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. Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology. EducationAn Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Cartography, Geography, Geospatial Information Science, Remote Sensing or other related discipline that involves substantial cartographic production and geospatial information services is required. 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 in the specified fields. Job - Specific QualificationCertification in GIS software such as ArcGIS suite (Arc Map, ArcGIS Pro, Online) is required. Certification in computer languages such as Python or HTML is desirable. Certification in JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, and geospatial libraries (e.g., ArcGIS API for JavaScript, Leaflet) or in data transformation tools (ETL tools, Python scripts) is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in geospatial information related work is required. Experience in cartographic productions for small-scale briefing maps, medium-scale planning and operations maps production is required. Experience in the production, management and maintenance of geospatial databases is required. Experience in GIS open-source software such as QGIS or data is desirable. Experience in graphic software such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator or similar software is desirable. Cartographic experience in national mapping agencies, public organization, news agencies or publication industries dealing with cartographic and geospatial products and services is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special NoticeAt the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. 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. Pursuant to section 6.9 of ST/AI/2010/3/Rev. 1, interns, consultants, individual contractors, and gratis personnel may not apply for or be appointed to any vacancy in the professional or higher categories within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. Applicants who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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 FeeTHE 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.