Satellite Imagery Analysis Specialist

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

The East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), headquartered in Bangkok, supports UNOPS operations across 24 countries in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the Pacific. Established in January 2023, EAPMCO provides strategic direction, operational support, and quality assurance to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of projects across its portfolio. EAPMCO implements initiatives in priority areas such as energy transition, climate change, and sustainable development, drawing on UNOPS' core expertise in human resources, procurement, infrastructure, fund management, and programme management.

UNOPS established its presence in Indonesia in 2005 following the Indian Ocean tsunami and has since invested over $200 million in projects across the country. Its work spans infrastructure development, fund management, procurement, and capacity building, addressing priority areas such as climate resilience, environmental protection, energy transition, health, education, and post-disaster recovery. UNOPS plays a key role in supporting post-COVID-19 economic recovery, including through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and provides advisory and technical assistance to other UN agencies. Projects in Indonesia contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as climate action, life on land and below water, responsible consumption, clean energy, infrastructure and innovation, health and well-being, and partnerships for sustainable development.

UNOPS is seeking a Satellite Imagery Analysis Specialist to support UN Global Pulse's Data Insights for Social and Humanitarian Action (DISHA) project.

DISHA (https://disha.unglobalpulse.org/) aims to accelerate ethical and responsible access to data and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to unlock social impact at scale. By facilitating the availability of reusable data through reliable models, standardized approaches and frameworks, DISHA enables the creation and expansion of actionable insights. These insights are designed to support more effective and inclusive efforts in humanitarian work, peacebuilding and development.

The Satellite Imagery Analysis Specialist will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across multiple time zones, primarily spanning East Asia (Jakarta), Europe, and the Eastern United States (New York). The role requires a flexible and well-balanced working schedule to ensure effective coordination and engagement with stakeholders throughout the week.

Under the strategic direction of the DISHA Product Lead and within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for making sure DISHA shares publicly as well as with its users timely, top-quality satellite imagery analysis within days of natural disasters where response efforts are supported by the UN. 

Conduct primary analysis of satellite imagery as well as evaluate and correct the outputs of AI satellite imagery analysis pipelines by:

• Conducting analyses of satellite imagery using visual means, multispectral analyses, and artificial intelligence methods as appropriate and within the context of informing humanitarian support efforts on damage from typhoons, floods, earthquakes, as well as shelter mapping, and more.

• Acquiring and assessing satellite imagery inputs to the analyses process as well as ancillary data, models, and information that may play a role.

• Producing data and analytical products from the analyses that meet a high bar on accuracy.

• Helping develop internal capacities and workflows in support of DISHA activities.

Contribute to the development of new DISHA solutions by:

• Supporting the testing of new tools for data analysis, visualization, and reporting in the field of satellite imagery analysis.

• Contributing to internal and external collaborations on the use of artificial intelligence, and crowd-sourcing validation methods in humanitarian and development contexts.

• Helping identify and document new use cases and operational applications of DISHA capabilities.

Support DISHA programme strategy and institutional engagement by:

• Supporting the integration of DISHA's platform and outputs into relevant inter-agency and UN Secretariat initiatives.

• Supporting building and maintaining relationships with UN agencies, international organizations, research institutions, and relevant stakeholders working on or consuming satellite imagery analysis products in the context of humanitarian and development work.

• Participating in thematic and cross-cutting coordination and planning meetings to support the DISHA’s positioning and strategic direction.

• Representing DISHA in technical fora and coordination platforms focused on satellite imagery analysis in the context of humanitarian and development work.

Support resource mobilization and programme development by:

• Contributing to the preparation of concept notes, donor proposals, and project documents.

•  Supporting donor engagement and reporting for projects.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Geography, remote sensing, GIS, or other equivalent related technical field with 7 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required

Desired:

• Sound knowledge of GIT applications in the areas of humanitarian crisis response and development.

Required:

• Relevant experience is work in Geospatial Information Technology (GIT), satellite analysis, data management or related areas. 

Desired:

• Experience with using AI-assisted tools for satellite imagery analysis is an asset. 

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the use of space technologies for humanitarian and development affairs is an asset.

• Good understanding of satellite imagery/data commercial distribution and licensing systems is an asset.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.