Consultancy: Geospatial Information Solutions, ICTD New York

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, A Connected World

Purpose of the job:

In 2019 UNICEF led and inter-divisional strategic exercise to create a Geospatial Roadmap for UNICEF. The roadmap sets out an ambitious three phase approach to driving a more coherent and strategic approach to geospatial data collection, analysis, and use across the organisation. This Terms of Reference addresses the main immediately actionable proposal identified in this process i.e. to facilitate better availability and use of geospatial data.  The TORs also build on broader efforts in the organization to strengthen coordination and use of data for humanitarian and fragile contexts.

Scope of Work:

To establish a robust and sustainable solution for a maintained, central repository of core geospatial data, and support and document its use across the organization, specifically by corporate information systems (eTools, VISION), for enterprise software (ArcGIS online, PowerBI, Tableau), and by end users at HQ, RO, and CO levels.

Reporting structure:

The Geospatial Information Solutions consultant will report to the Information Comm. Technology Manager in the Solution Center and Support Section, Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD), New York Headquarters. 

Duration of contract:

Six months (115 days until 30 June 2020) with the possibility of an extension.

Key responsibilities:

• Establish, populate, and maintain geospatial data storage solution, including technical workflow and procedures for geospatial data management.
• Support design of geospatial functionality in corporate IT systems.
• Support gathering, curation, correction, and management of spatial datasets required for UNICEF country and regional offices.
• Support and document use of geospatial datasets.

Deliverables:

• Core geospatial data sets – administrative boundaries – available and used by both corporate systems and individual users
• Test and operationalize open source based GeoServer hosting geospatial data
• SOPs written, available, and used to host and maintain core geospatial data
• Core geospatial data sets – infrastructure, i.e. schools, health facilities, roads – available and used by both corporate systems and individual users
• Core geospatial data sets – satellite and aerial imagery – available and used by both corporate systems and individual users
• Strategy for Geospatial data use and management with hybrid approach finalized
• Setup a monitoring dashboard for tracking and monitoring GIS software licenses and usage
• Code in place to support corporate information systems
• Local geospatial data repositories created and maintained
• SOPs and guidance produced for maintenance and use of Geospatial data on open source GeoServer
• Toolkit produced such that UNICEF CO colleagues can create and maintain local geospatial data repositories
• Support at least five UNICEF Country Offices to create and use analytical geospatial products
• Publish two country case studies on the use of geospatial data to support better informed decision making at UNICEF
• Publish two regional case studies on the use of geospatial data to support better informed decision making at UNICEF.

Travel:

The consultant is expected to travel to NY for one short mission to support HQ use of geospatial data and three country office missions to support use of geospatial data.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in GIS, geography, computer science, or statistics.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant work experience, at the national and international levels in coordination and planning of geospatial data management.
• Prior field experience in data collection processes in humanitarian and fragile contexts is an advantage.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

Financial Proposal:

Interested candidates are asked to apply and indicate your ability, availability and daily rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered for the initial shortlist.

Competencies:

UNICEF’s core values are Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies are Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

 

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.