This position is located in the United Nations Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence (UN-GGCE) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in the UN Campus, Bonn, Germany. The Associate Geospatial Information Officer reports to the Head of the Centre.

The Centre’s overarching goal is to assist Member States and geodetic organizations to coordinate and collaborate to sustain, enhance, access and utilize an accurate, accessible and sustainable Global Geodetic Reference Frame (GGRF) to support science, society and global development. The objective is to support, within available resources, the implementation of General Assembly resolution 69/266 entitled ‘A Global Geodetic Reference Frame for Sustainable Development’.

Within delegated authority, the Associate Geospatial Information Officer is responsible for the following:
• Supports programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment; assist in the preparation and reviews of relevant documents and reports; contribute to identifying priorities, problems and issues to be addressed; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
• Supports aspects of global geodesy development programmes, tools and resources, and development of new approaches to respond to the delivery of the overarching goal of the Centre and organizational needs.
• Develops process improvement mechanisms for the delivery of the overarching goal of the Centre and organizational needs.
• Collates geodetic data from primary or secondary sources and maintains databases/data systems.
• Implements geodetic databases, coordinates geodetic data collection and analysis and other mechanisms that optimize geodetic process efficiency and quality.
• Identifies, analyzes, and interprets trends or patterns, using basic machine learning techniques, statistical methods to identify relevant features and variables in structured sources of information and data.
• Tracks and reports on progress regarding the overarching goal of the Centre and organizational needs.
• Develops reports, dashboards or other tools to effectively summarize findings and convey information to management.
• Performs other related duties as required.

• Professionalism: Awareness of the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework and the General Assembly resolution 69/266 entitled ‘A Global Geodetic Reference Frame for Sustainable Development’. Ability to formulate technical approaches with respect to global geodesy development. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in geodesy, geography, geospatial information, or other related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in geodesy, geospatial information management, earth observations, mapping or related area is required.

Experience in utilizing geodetic technologies and applications such as global navigation satellite systems data acquisition and analysis is required.

Recent experience in national geodetic reference frame or geodesy information management initiative is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This is a project post. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE 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.