Programme Specialist, Geospatial Analysis; Data and Analytics Branch, P-3 at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

The Position:

• The Programme Specialist, Geospatial Analysis post is located in the Data and Analytics Branch of the Programme Division, HQ, and reports to the Programme Adviser, Data Analysis and Use. S/He provides technical support to meet the geospatial data needs in all areas of UNFPA mandate including population dynamics, adolescents and youth, SRH, family planning, and gender and across the humanitarian and development nexus. The incumbent works within an integrated, coordinated, and systems strengthening approach which is fundamental to the Division’s and UNFPA’s overall strategy.

How you can make a difference:

• UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
• In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
• UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

• The incumbent serves as the geospatial focal point for UNFPA and will provide technical support and guidance on geospatial aspects of UNFPA programming including LNOB analysis and mapping, and integration of geospatial dimensions in census data collection, analysis and dissemination, humanitarian programming, sexual and reproductive health programming (including family planning) and GBV and harmful practices. S/He will support integration of population health, social-economic and environmental data with other geospatial data to provide substantial cutting-edge in-depth analysis and evidence linking population issues with crucial topics for sustainable development. The Programme Specialist provides technical support to the Branch and other units to ensure that the ICPD Programme of Action in the population and development area is firmly placed within the global development agenda, including the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• In all activities, s/he fosters collaboration with Branch staff; with other Branches in the Programme Division; with Regional and country Offices; to ensure the timeliness, adequacy, relevance and quality of substantive outputs.

The primary roles of the incumbent are:

• Technical support
• Capacity development
• Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination
• Strategic partnerships and technical representation

You would be responsible for:

Technical support

• Review the emerging innovative data and geospatial analysis methods in population and sustainable development nexus and maintain feedback loops on technical issues with Regional and National technical staff in order to identify substantive gaps and needs;
• Develop innovative geospatial data analysis methods, including leverage traditional data, Big Data, satellite and remote sensing data, and service provisional data, to provide cutting-edge and timely data and evidence in population, climate change and sustainable development issues;
• Develop new approaches for geospatial data management, interpretation, analysis and utilization, including SAE, a methodological approach to estimates at subnational geographical level for UNFPA indicators;
• Develop geospatial data dissemination and visualization approaches through generating platforms and geographic mapping of demographic disparities and social, economic, and environmental inequalities; and,
• Analyze new geospatial scientific information, data, and innovative technologies and methodologies and advise on their relevance for UNFPA programming.
• Support on GIS infrastructure and governance, geodatabase, and online geospatial application to PDP.
• Identify appropriate geospatial data sources (including open data and big data) for analytics projects.
• Lead and oversee the technical aspects of geospatial information tools and resources, and development of new products to respond to organizational needs.
• Develop and implement geospatial databases, geospatial data collection systems, geospatial data analytics and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and quality.
• Identify, analyze, and interpret trends or patterns, using basic machine learning techniques, statistical methods to identify relevant features and variables in structured and unstructured sources of information and data.
• Develop and implement various analysis, reporting and quality control capabilities.
• Create online databases, dynamic web maps and visualization dashboards.
• Provide technical advice in the development and implementation of policies, programmes and methodologies with a view to strengthening geospatial resources and capacities.
• Provide technical support and contribute to the Population Data Portal (PDP).
• Research and conduct geospatial analysis for the generation of a global population database on population exposure and vulnerability to climate change.
• Lead the geospatial analysis such as mapping people’s geographic access to sexual and reproductive health services including family planning services.
• Generate semi-auto tools, models, code packages to automate the analytical process as possible.
• Develop and manage analytical projects/programmes on degree of urbanization, climate change, small area estimation (SAE), and geographic access to essential SRH services.
• Support the coordination and implementation of joint initiatives and the maintenance of project thematic geodatabases
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Branch Chief or Division Director

Capacity development

• Develop tools, training courses and guidance notes to support regions and countries in their efforts to enhance the capacity of carrying out cutting-edge in-depth geospatial analysis integrating population and satellite imagery data for sustainable development and humanitarian response;
• Carry out training and workshops to enhance national capacity for production and dissemination of quality disaggregated data on population and development issues, as well as geospatial data analysis and utilization methods;
• Develop coordination and collaborations within UNFPA and with partnerships outside UNFPA on geospatial data innovation and analysis products, and contribute directly to the maintenance and fostering of global partnerships;
• Collaborate with relevant teams to improve GIS data flows, data quality, etc.
• Support GIS capacity strengthening within UNFPA as well as among partners and stakeholders by organizing technical meetings and learning events for UNFPA and NSO staff including virtual eLearning sessions, in-person seminars and workshops on GIS and geospatial analysis and dissemination.
• Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination
• Conduct geospatial data analysis to incorporate population issues in the environmental aspects of sustainable development;
• Generate and disseminate analytic use cases on the vulnerability of UNFPA’s targeted population such as older people, adolescents and youth, women and girls, migrants, indigenous people and people with disabilities, in the context of climate change and sustainable development using spatial analysis and statistics;
• Support, on a demand-driven basis, regions and countries in their efforts to conduct geospatial analysis and provide technical input, from the data and analysis methodology perspective to the process of synthesizing geospatial technical knowledge and evidence in UNFPA mandate areas;
• Collaborate in the dissemination process for evidence, technical knowledge and analysis of lessons learned in geospatial analysis, in collaboration with the Regional and Country Offices; and,
• Enhance internal communication on GIS through UNFPA geospatial community and the GIS Inter-Divisional working group

Technical representation

• Engage in activities that disseminate and advocate for data innovation and cutting-edge geospatial analysis that incorporate population dynamics, SRH, gender and sustainable development;
• Contribute to technical support efforts for the mobilization of additional resources in applying innovative data and geospatial analysis methods;
• Liaise with UN agencies, academia, NGOs and research institutions; may act as focal point for inter-agency working groups related to data innovation and analysis; and,
• Development and maintenance of global geospatial partnerships and interagency engagement.

Qualifications and Experience:
Education:

• Advanced university degree in geoinformatics (geomatics), geospatial information, Earth sciences, environmental science, remote sensing or other related geoscience field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in geospatial information management, applied spatial analytics, earth observations, mapping, applications development, data visualization or related areas is required.
• Proven experience in utilizing geospatial software (database management, spatial analysis, mapping, web services development or programming languages) is required.
• Experience in geospatial data processing and analysis of population census and household survey data (e.g. DHS data), and analysis and integration with other types of geospatial data (e.g. environmental, land use and infrastructure data) is desirable
• Knowledge of application of GIS to areas of UNFPA mandate (sexual and reproductive health, family planning, gender-based violence and harmful practices), is an advantage
• Technical knowledge of population dynamics and their relationship to sustainable development, and specifically to issues such as climate change, urbanization, socio-ecological systems, natural resources, energy, health and equality is an advantage
• Experience with team and/or project management is desirable.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent report writing and oral presentation skills.
• Familiarity with the UN system desirable

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Required Competencies:
Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual analysis in the provision of technical expertise – developing innovative and creative approaches.
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners and building strategic alliances and partnerships – identifying and building partnerships.
• Job knowledge and expertise – in depth knowledge of their discipline.