Population & Development - Geographical Information Systems [GIS] Specialist at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Job Purpose: 

Evidence-based policymaking decisions are consistent with transparent and accountable governance. Data is central to this. Since its independence in 1960, only two censuses have been carried out in Somalia; the first in 1974 and the second in 1986. However, only the results for the first census were ever released. Since then, efforts have been made to bridge this gap. Notably, the 2014 Population Estimation Survey (PESS) and the 2018/2019 Somali Health and Demographic Survey (SHDS) yielded invaluable data on population, demographic, health and other characteristics of the Somali population. 

Recognizing the need for census data, the Government of Somalia is preparing to hold its first census in decades; the Somalia Population and Housing Census (SPHC) 2024/25. The SPHC is expected to provide relevant, reliable, and timely baseline data for development planning, policy formulation, and service delivery. It will count all persons living in Somalia and determine their socio-economic and demographic characteristics, including information on population dynamics such as migration, fertility, and mortality. The census will also generate a sampling frame for future household surveys. 

Census mapping is the foundation of any census. Maps have been an instrumental part of censuses for a long time. Historically they have been used in the census during the enumeration phase and assist in guiding enumerators to dwellings and other places where people are likely to be during the enumeration period. They also ensure full and unduplicated coverage of geographic areas during the census. Maps have also been used to present aggregated census results in cartographic form. Technological developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have led to increased availability of spatial data and reduced costs of geospatial tools. This has broadened the scope of census cartography to include the use of high-resolution imagery for EA delineation and updating, spatial analysis, modeling, and data dissemination through web mapping platforms. 

UNFPA is providing technical and financial support to the SPHC to ensure that the proposed census is of high quality, upholds international principles and standards, and produces data that are widely disseminated and utilized for development. 

In addition to supporting the SPHC, UNFPA Somalia supports humanitarian responses and recovery efforts. It also works with health services to reduce maternal mortality, among the highest rates in the world, by strengthening community midwifery and the supply of commodities. Further efforts have focused on conducting nationwide population estimation surveys. Engaging with the government and civil society to provide services for vulnerable youth, UNFPA promotes reproductive rights and the elimination of harmful practices such as female genital mutilation/cutting. 

You will provide geospatial support to the UNFPA Somalia Country Office as it implements its different activities. 

You would be responsible for: 

• Leading and overseeing the technical aspects of geospatial information tools and resources, and development of new products to respond to organizational needs. 
• Developing and implementing geospatial databases, geospatial data collection systems, geospatial data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality. 
• Acquiring and cleaning geospatial data from primary or secondary sources and maintaining databases/data systems.
• Translating organizational needs into analytics and reporting requirements to support decisions, strategies and workflows with geospatial data and information. 
• Conducting the development of organizational geospatial systems. 
• Implementing and documenting processes, best practices, tools, and quality assurances so that geospatial information assets are managed in a secure and efficient way, promoted, and used by all potential stakeholders. 
• Formulating and directing geospatial information and technology strategies, policies, and plans. 
• Providing technical inputs for the development of methodologies for geospatial information analysis, baseline data collection, definition of mapping products and geospatial information and technology services to support end users. 
• Providing operational, technical, and analytical expertise to projects and colleagues across departments by understanding how to apply the principles, practices and added value of geospatial information. 
• Tracking trends and developments in spatial analysis best practices, tools, etc. 
• Providing technical guidance and support on the cartographic planning of the census including reviewing existing census mapping technologies and methods, and development of a census mapping strategy 
• Identifying geospatial knowledge gaps within the statistical offices and making recommendations on training. 
• Provide technical guidance and support to the GIS consultants and personnel from NSOs in the preparation of relevant training plans on GIS and census mapping and provide geospatial training to statistical offices 
• Providing technical guidance and support in the development of data collection tools, ensuring GIS international requirements contextualized to Somalia are met 
• Developing guidelines for undertaking data cleaning and analysis of GIS and related data including technically guiding teams undertaking data cleaning 
• Leading GIS teams in the production and updating of high-quality map products and online map services (e.g. dashboards, story maps) for UNFPA activities, particularly on the humanitarian response. 
• Overseeing the preparation of documentation required for the GIS implementation and ensuring its compliance with the current standards, regulatory acts, and recent international developments in GIS; 
• Providing expert advice and information support, including writing guidelines, instructions, and on-site training of respective staff units of states responsible for the Census preparation and implementation; 
• Assessing various GIS technologies (software, hardware, and satellite imagery) for data capture based on international experience from developing countries and advising on the choice of appropriate technologies and their acquisition. 
• Advising on geo-database design and quality control measures to ensure the databases conform to defined accuracy standards. 

Qualifications and Experience 

Education: 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in GIS and Remote Sensing or related discipline with Five (5) years of relevant experience. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in geospatial information management, applied spatial analytics, earth observations, mapping, data visualization, stakeholder management or related area is required. 
• Proven experience in using spatial data and information to guide decisions, develop strategic direction and oversee execution is required. 
• Proven experience in teamwork, especially in the field of census mapping, implementation of field mapping logistics, and technical capacity building/training in a complex multicultural environment is essential. 
• Proven experience in geospatial information and technologies management such as database management, spatial analysis, mapping, programming languages, enterprise management, development of spatial methodologies, and/or quality control is required. 
• Comprehensive working knowledge of ArcGIS, Quantum GIS and Remote Sensing software and experience in the utilization of high and medium-resolution satellite imagery for the purposes of feature extraction and digitization. 
• Knowledge of integrating statistical and geospatial information. 
• Knowledge and experience with mobile data collection technologies like ODK, Kobo and Survey123. 
• Basic knowledge of at least one statistical database and its interface with GIS databases 
• Proficiency in MS Office software applications (Particularly Excel and Word) 

Languages: 

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is essential, and knowledge of Somali is an asset.