Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONS International
Target Start Date2023-10-30
Job Posting End DateNovember 6, 2023
Terms of ReferenceUNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in more than 125 countries and use our experience to protect and care for millions.
Title: Geographic Information Systems Specialist
Type of contract: International Individual Consultant (remote)
Workplace: Remote
Planned start date: November 15, 202
Duration: 10 weeks
BACKGROUND
Guatemala is a country of origin, transit, and destination for people in human mobility circumstances. In recent years, violence, persecution, or instability in many countries in the region has caused a massive displacement of people in search of safety.
As of September 2023, Guatemala hosts almost 2,900 refugees and asylum seekers from more than 35 countries and there are some 220,000 Guatemalans at risk of displacement within the country. In addition, according to the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), more than 611,000 people from Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Nicaragua have been encountered by US authorities between January and September 2023. Given the visa restrictions, UNHCR presumes that most must have crossed Guatemala on their way north.
In this complex context, the ability to have up-to-date information, including georeferenced information and reliable Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is vitally important to guide decision-making, prioritize limited resources where they are most needed, and ensure the effective delivery of services.
The UNHCR Data Transformation Strategy 2020-2025, envisions that by 2025 UNHCR will become a trusted leader in data and information related to refugees and other persons of concern, thereby enabling actions to protect and empower persons of concern. Under this Strategy, UNHCR Guatemala is seeking to hire a Geographic Information Systems Specialist to develop its GIS capacities, improve map production, and foster its Information Management (IM) staff capacities.
SCOPE OF WORK
The GIS expert is a 10-week consultancy responsible for (i) building insightful geographic information products, (ii) developing a GIS infrastructure for UNHCR Guatemala, (iii) developing and delivering a 25-hour training to strengthen the IM teamโs GIS capabilities.
The position will be supervised by the Associate Information Management Officer and will receive functional guidance and support from other UNHCR units. She/he will work independently, performing the following tasks:
- Design and implement a robust GIS infrastructure for UNHCR Guatemala
using ArcGIS Pro
- Support the collection, storage, management, and protection of geodata.
- Identify map information gaps and suggest cost-effective solutions to fill
them.
- Ensure that the GIS infrastructure is tailored to the specific operational
needs.
- Create and manage geospatial databases to store critical data, including
information related to population distribution, office locations, and
interagency services.
- Ensure the integrity, accessibility, and interoperability of geospatial data.
- Facilitate the exchange of geospatial information to enhance coordination
and service delivery.
- Encourage the use of GIS tools and methodologies to enhance data-driven
decision-making and operational efficiency.
- Deliver engaging and interactive training sessions to UNHCR colleagues,
equipping them with the knowledge and skills to effectively use GIS in their
work.
DELIVERABLES
The consultant will be expected to complete these tasks within 10 weeks from the date of the contract signature, delivering the following products:
Product Delivery:
1. Build 10 maps/GIS products: Generate 10 products directly fed by UNHCR data sources. These maps should include but are not limited to, office locations, population distribution, interagency services for displaced persons, and geographical insights related to the operational context. All products should be interoperable with UNHCR corporate tools, like proGres or Power BI, and should include efficient automation features. (Week 4) - 35%
2. Develop a GIS Infrastructure for UNHCR Guatemala: Develop a comprehensive GIS infrastructure using ArcGIS, ensuring that meets the specific operational needs of UNHCR Guatemala and that geospatial databases guarantee the integrity, accessibility, and interoperability of critical data. (Week 6) - 35%
3. Develop and deliver a 25-hour GIS training: Develop a tailored 25-hour GIS and ArcGIS Pro training program that aligns with the skill levels and operational requirements of the participants. Provide interactive and engaging training sessions that allow participants to apply gained GIS skills to their work. (Week 10) - 30%
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
The ideal candidate should have:
- Masterโs degree in Geography, Geographic Information Systems, Geology,
Social Science, Statistics, Information Management, Physical Science, Data
Science, Engineering, Demography, Computer Science, or other relevant
field.
- At least five years of professional GIS experience involving data
management, map production, and spatial analysis.
- Advanced knowledge of GIS and geospatial systems and techniques,
including excellent skills and experience in Esri Suite: ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS
Online, etc.
- Experience in static and interactive map production, remote sensing,
satellite imagery, and geographic multi-criteria analysis.
- Demonstrable experience working with qualitative and quantitative data.
- Strong communication skills, including interpersonal and training skills.
- Self-reliant, resourceful, good problem-solver, and flexible.
- Knowledge of R programming and Power BI skills is an asset.
- Previous experience working with the United Nations will be positively
valued.
PROPERTY, INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS, AND CONFIDENTIALITY
The total production of the contents of the project, as well as the copyright and intellectual property of the products developed, will be the total and permanent property of UNHCR. The consultant will refrain from disseminating, registering, or commercializing all or part of the delivered products. Content is understood as any text, image, source code, product, or others that accrue from the development and implementation of the project.
The consultant must keep, for an indefinite time, the maximum reserve and not disclose or use directly or through third parties or companies, the data, documents, methodologies, keys, analysis, programs, and other information to which they have access during their relationship with UNHCR for the provision of services, both in physical and electronic format. This obligation will continue in force after the termination of the employment contract.
In the event that, for reasons directly related to the job, the consultant comes into possession of confidential information contained in any type of support, it must be understood that said possession is strictly temporary, with an obligation of secrecy and without any right of possession, ownership or copy on said information. The use, disclosure, removal, modification, adulteration and/or unauthorized destruction of the information generates administrative responsibility, without prejudice to the civil and/or criminal responsibilities that may arise.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Being an international consultancy, the call is open to citizens of all nationalities except Guatemala.
Shortlisted candidates will undertake a competency-based interview and may be required to sit for a test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants to apply. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, disability, marital or civil partnership status, race, color, or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages Spanish
,English
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
SkillsAnalytical Thinking, Creativity, Decision Making, Innovation, Long Term Planning, Prioritization
EducationMasters of Science (MS): Computer Engineering, Masters of Science (MS): Computer Science, Masters of Science (MS): Data Science, Masters of Science (MS): Demography, Masters of Science (MS): Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Masters of Science (MS): Geography
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance