GIS Specialist

General

Description of assignment title: GIS Specialist

Assignment country: State of Palestine

Expected start date: 09/01/2025

 

Sustainable Development Goal: 11. Sustainable cities and communities

Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity: UNDP PAPP

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months

(with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Ramallah

Details

Mission and objectives

UNDP's Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) derives its mandate from the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/147 of 20 December 1978. Called upon by United Nations Member States in that year, UNDP was requested “to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people by identifying their social and economic needs and by establishing concrete projects to that end”. UNDP/PAPP is a responsive development agency that works together with the Palestinian people to fulfil their aspiration for sustainable human development based on self-determination, equality and freedom.

Context

The UN Volunteer will be assigned to the Ramallah office of UNDP's Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP). PAPP was established through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 December 1978, calling upon UNDP “to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people”. In partnership with Palestinian institutions, civil society, communities and donors, UNDP's goal is to empower the Palestinian People to establish a viable State that is able to realize the right to development for its people and support their socio-economic resilience. Since its establishment, UNDP/PAPP has delivered over USD 1.5 billion in development assistance to the Palestinian People. UNDP/PAPP places empowerment, resilience and sustainability at the center of its operation and focuses on three priority areas: the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank, where the needs are the greatest.

The UNV is assigned to the Investment Programme for Resilience (IPR).

Task description

Within the supervision of the Programme Manager in Jerusalem or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV GIS Specialist will:

•  
•  Shared Folder and Data Repository Oversight

o Organize and manage the programme's designated shared GIS and data folders, ensuring proper version control, accessibility, and security of all data-related files and visual products.

•  Collaboration and Coordination

o Work in close coordination with the Monitoring and Knowledge Management (M&KM) Associate to align data products with programme M&E requirements and learning objectives.

o Support other programme team members with tailored data and mapping outputs, as needed.

o Provide training to project team and UNDP partners when needed.

•  Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

Arabic, Level: Native language, Required

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Geography and Geographic Information System

Competencies and values

- Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy, and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization's interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority.

- Teamwork and respect for diversity: the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality, and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

- Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in the area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

- Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

- Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

- Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary.

- Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which

includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance, and commitment towards UNDP mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Skills and experience

- Proven experience in GIS data analysis software, mapping, and data visualization.

-Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.

-Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.

-Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.

-Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

- Familiarity with data management principles, including metadata documentation and data-sharing protocols.

- Basic programming skills in relevant languages (e.g., Python, R, SQL, JavaScript, and any other relevant languages) to support automation, spatial analysis, or integration with Management Information Systems (MIS).

- Experience in Kobo toolbox and Power BI.

- Hands-on experience with ArcGIS Enterprise, including publishing data, configuring web apps, and managing user roles and access.

- Proficiency in using ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Dashboards, and Web AppBuilder/Experience Builder.- Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including use of Power Query for data cleaning, transformation, and automation of reporting processes.

- Experience working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams and across departments.

-Sound security awareness.

-Have affinity with or interest in development projects, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

-Desirable: valid national driver's license.

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Information technology, Engineering and construction

Driving license

-

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. A 12-month contract with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of ILS 6,740 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as Exit allowance for satisfactory service.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person's race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.