GIS Specialist Consultant

Result of ServiceUnder the guidance and supervision of the Human Settlements Officer (SDG Localization and Local Government), the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: (i) Enhance the project’s analytical outputs by incorporating relevant geospatial data and mapping products. Work LocationBishkek Expected duration2 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. Based in Nairobi (Kenya), it is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks. During the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in June 2023, Member States endorsed the Resolution on Localizing the SDGs mandating UN-Habitat to strengthen the capacities of local and national governments on SDG data, planning and reporting as well as on multilevel governance for SDG localization. UN-Habitat’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan also identifies Participatory Multilevel Governance and SDG Localization as one of the five Means of Implementation to deliver on the corporate strategic focus on adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums. The position is located in UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team within the Global Solutions Division (GSD). The Global Solutions Division is responsible for providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards the effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN-Habitat. It provides substantive training and supports capacity development of Member States and partners. The Global Solutions Division hosts the Local 2030 Coalition’s Secretariat and coordinates UN-Habitat’s work on SDG Localization through the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team. UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s corporate offering and global portfolio on SDG Localization, including the SDG Cities Global Initiative (Flagship 5). The SDG Cities Initiative supports cities in creating integrated solutions that drive progress across multiple SDGs, ensuring cohesive and scalable urban development addressing challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. It does so by leveraging the potential of data for evidence-based decision-making, fostering cities’ access to finance, while building their overall institutional capacities. Building on the Agency’s operational capacities and technical leadership, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s delivery across three levels: 1) advancing city-level transformation through SDG Cities; 2) supporting national governments to develop SDG Localization Country Frameworks, through the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs; 3) advancing the global dialogue on SDG Localization through the SDG Cities Global Community and direct engagement within the main UN fora. UN-Habitat's vison on SDG Localization aims to impact the lives of 1 billion people by promoting transformative change in 50 countries and 1000 cities. Reporting Line This post is located in the Global Solutions Division and specifically within its SDG localization and Local Governments Team. The incumbent will be supervised by Mr. Martino Miraglia, the Human Settlements Officer coordinating the work of the Team and under direct supervision of the Directors of the Global Solutions Division. The expert will work in collaboration with the other members of the team as well as in coordination with other units, sections and offices across the Agency. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant is expected to assess, visualize, and utilize available disaggregated geospatial data relevant to Bishkek, including but not limited to administrative boundaries, land use, building footprints, population density, urban services, and infrastructure networks. Where granular data is not readily available through open data platforms, the consultant should engage with relevant national and municipal institutions (e.g., State Agency for Land Resources, Bishkek Mayor’s Office, and National Statistical Committee) to access supplementary datasets. 1. GIS and Technical Support a. Review and extract relevant spatial and thematic data from existing documents, reports, and datasets. b. Interpret and organize relevant spatial and thematic data into GIS-compatible formats. c. Develop professional-grade maps and visual materials to effectively communicate key insights and support the project’s objectives. d. Integrate geospatial outputs into the ongoing analysis being developed by the project team. e. Develop a metadata summary of all used spatial datasets to ensure transparency and reproducibility. f. Provide technical recommendations for improving municipal geospatial infrastructure based on gaps identified during the analysis. g. Facilitate consultations or working sessions with local government or national GIS/data agencies, as needed, to validate and enrich spatial data. h. Contribute to building a small repository of GIS layers relevant to the SDG localization process in Bishkek. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in socio-economic development, urban planning, geography, Architecture, Cartography, or a related discipline relevant to spatial analysis and international development is required. A minimum of two (2) years of relevant working experience in GIS analysis, spatial data management, map production, and geospatial support for urban development or humanitarian projects is required. Experience working in Bishkek, especially in support of urban planning or spatial monitoring frameworks, will be highly valued. Proficiency in using GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) and handling geospatial datasets in a development context is an asset. LanguagesFluency in English is mandatory for this specific consultancy. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset. Additional InformationNot available. 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.