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National Geographic Information System (GIS) Officer (NPSA8)

Dili

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Dili
  • Grade: Junior level - NPSA-8, National Personnel Services Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Engineering
    • Meteorology, Geology and Geography
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Population matters (trends and census)
    • Scientist and Researcher
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background
 
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
 
Timor-Leste is a small half-island country, one of the top ten counties most vulnerable to climate change. Approximately 70% of Timor-Leste’s rural population (840,000 people) is highly vulnerable to climate changes, particularly increasing variability of rainfall and extreme weather events. Lives and livelihoods in the remote interior of the country and coastal regions are both highly exposed. Impacts of intensified extreme events include damage and degradation of decentralized small-scale critical infrastructure, particularly water supply and drainage structures, embankments, and feeder roads and bridges. Damages leave rural populations isolated, lacking basic services. In response to this challenge, in 2019, the government of Timor-Leste with the support of UNDP received funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to undertake the project.

The project objective is to safeguard vulnerable communities and their physical assets from climate change-induced disasters. It aims to address existing institutional, financial and legislative barriers, increasing the climate resilience of vulnerable small-scale rural infrastructure. Six municipalities mainly Baucau, Ermera, Aileu, Viqueque Lautem and Liquica which were selected for the project interventions. The project has the below two inter-related outputs that not only aim to achieve the impact potential, but also to create enabling environment/condition for scaling up/replicating the project impact beyond the immediate target areas.

Output 1: Climate risk information is developed, monitored and integrated into policies, regulations and institutions to inform climate resilient small-scale rural infrastructure planning and management.

Output 2: Climate risk reduction and climate-proofing measures for small-scale rural infrastructure are implemented to build the resilience of vulnerable communities in six priority municipalities.

Duties and Responsibilities
 
The National GIS Officer will report to the International DRM Specialist and under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, Safeguard Project in UNDP Timor-Leste. The National GIS Officer is expected to work closely with the National DRM Officer, National Civil Engineers at National level and Climate Change & Environment Officers (CCEOs) at cluster level and with close coordination with the Field Coordinators in the respective Municipalities. Extensive field visit, consultation and travel will be required to the target municipalities.
 
The assignment requires collaboration with the project team in UNDP Timor-Leste Country Office (CO), counterparts in the respective line ministries such as the Ministry of State Administration (MSA), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Secretary of State for the Environment (SEA), Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), Secretary of State of Civil Protection (SSCP), local authorities, community leaders and civil society.
 
Frequent communication and collaboration with project team and relevant national counterpart staff is required. National GIS Officer will perform duties according to this TOR, facilitate consultation and discussion with key counterparts, partners and community including relevant organizations in Timor-Leste.
 
To support implementation of the project, UNDP seeks to engage the services of a National GIS Officer for a period of twelve (12) months. S/he will support the Project Management Unit (PMU) and UNDP CO to designs, develops, and implements systems and databases to access and store geospatial data for climate resilient infrastructure and disaster risk management/ reduction planning. The GIS Officer will support the PMU in designing and developing GIS based high resolution maps for advisory services as well as the Training & Capacity Building requirements on GIS based applications developed under the project and/or by UNDP. S/He will overall support the PMU and UNDP CO for all GIS related services during the contact period.

The GIS Officer will work under the guidance of the International DRM Specialist and in close collaboration with the GCF funded project team of UNDP together with the relevant government counterparts and will perform following key functions and Responsibilities in close coordination with the DRM Specialist (International) and Project Manager (International) based at National level:

  • Analysing spatial data through GIS mapping software and designing digital maps with geographic data and various other data sets related to Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilient programming.
  • Design and development/ updating of interactive GIS database/web portal and GIS based mobile application for physical asset condition mapping and disaster loss & damage data collection and mapping and following other GIS services required for the project implementation:
    • Creating "shapefiles" to merge topographical data with external data by layering external data over a topographical map
    • Producing maps showing the spatial distribution of various kinds of data, including physical and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
    • Developing mapping applications and tools for physical assets mapping and remote inspection of damages to those assets in the event of natural disasters or climate induced disasters.
    • Converting physical maps into a digital form for implementation of climate resilient rural infrastructures.
    • Performing data munging and cleaning to convert data into its desired form.
    • Produce reports on geographic data utilizing data visualizations.
    • Managing a digital library of geographic maps in various file types.
  • Produce analytical GIS products and maps for operationalisation of Climate Risk Information System and Disaster Risk Management plans at National Level, together with PMU, UNDP CO and Key Government ministries / departments (Like SSCP, SSE, SSA, MAF, MPW etc.).
  • Provide technical support for development/updating of Multi Hazard Risk and Vulnerability maps with all types of spatial data/ information collected from/available with government institutions and other agencies of Timor-Leste. 
  • Training and Capacity Building of Project and relevant Government staffs on GIS application in Disaster/Climate Risk Management measures for better planning.
  • Training on hazard modelling for technical staff in SSCP/ CPA and relevant counterpart in line ministries, municipality level and project staffs. This includes the introduction of UAV (Unmanned Automatic Vehicle) /Drone Technology to map out current hazard risk conditions effectively at the catchment scale, DEM etc.
  • Produce printable high resolution multi hazard Risk & Vulnerability maps for use in land use planning, development zoning, flood risk mitigation design, establishment of flood insurance criteria, raising awareness, emergency planning etc. The maps production shall utilise the anticipated LiDAR produced Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and various available high resolution topographic maps. 
  • Any other activities related to GIS and Disaster Risk Management services as is suggested by the PMU and UNDP Country Office.
Competencies
Core competencies:
  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

  • Negotiation and Influence - Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates “win-win” situations
  • Effective Decision Making - Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

Business Development

  • Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful kno􏰄ledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need
  • Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
  • Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
  • Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
  • Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
  • Bachelor’s or Master's degree, in Geography/ Disaster Risk Management/ Climate change/ Environment Science/ Natural Resource/Water/Environmental management or related field with expertise in GIS Applications like Arc GIS /Q-GIS etc.;
Experience:
  • At least two years for bachelor’s degree of working experience in the fields of disaster risk management, environment and climate change, disaster management, and/or with demonstrated working experience in GIS application directly with sub-national level counterparts and local communities
  • Experience in developing and delivering relevant GIS Mapping and GIS related trainings to diverse groups, especially in the urban and rural areas.
  • Experience using GIS based data collection methods and tools and providing analysis and reporting.
  • Experience in analysing spatial data through GIS mapping software and designing digital maps with geographic data and various other data sets related to Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilient programming. 
  • Experience in design and development/ updating of interactive GIS database/web portal and GIS based mobile application for physical asset condition mapping and disaster loss & damage data collection and mapping and following other GIS services required for the project implementation
  • Previous expertise with the UN system, international development partner or Government in Timor-Leste is an advantage.
  • Experience in organizing/leading discussions, facilitating a variety of events, workshops, working with government, local authorities, community groups as well as reporting.
  • Experience providing training and Capacity Building of Project and relevant Government staffs on GIS application in Disaster/Climate Risk Management measures for better planning. 

Language requirement:

  • Tetum and English Language – excellent written and oral communication skills.

Note: This position is open for Timor-Leste nationals only.

Disclaimer

 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 
 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
 
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
 
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This vacancy is now closed.
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