(JPO) for Information Management / GIS and Analysis with UNOCHA At US Agency for International Development

I. Overview

Through USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), the United States (U.S.) sponsors qualified U.S. citizens for employment in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program.

These fully funded JPO positions strengthen the capacity of OCHA and further encourage U.S. citizens to become active members of the international community. After completing their JPO assignments, a number of JPOs successfully compete for positions at OCHA and in other international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

II. General Information

Title: JPO in Information Management / GIS & Analysis

Organization/Office: UNOCHA, Operations and Advocacy Division

Duty Station: Kinshasa, DRC

Start Date Required: As soon as possible

Duration: One year, with possibility of a one-year extension

The USAID/BHA sponsored JPO will be an employee of OCHA, not of the U.S. Government.

III. Duties, Responsibilities, and Output Expectations

Within delegated authority, the Junior Professional Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Preparation, conception and production of thematic and geographical maps
• Supervision and monitoring of mapping related data collection
• Supervision and monitoring of remote data collection
• Data cleaning, management, and merging
• Product production

IV. Supervision

The JPO will report to the Head of the Information Management Section.

Content and methodology of supervision:

• Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and his/her supervisor.
• Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve as a primary platform to evaluate the JPO’s performance.
• Weekly meetings with the supervisor

V. Qualifications and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in GIS or a related discipline (Geography, Geomatics, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences) A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in GIS / Database management, preferably in humanitarian context. Experience analysing complex data with R or Python is a plus. Previous experience with mobile data collection (ODK, ONA, KOBO)

Languages:

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in French is required. Knowledge of English is an advantage.

Additional Desired Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of the Adobe Suite, particularly Illustrator and InDesign
• Ability to operate Microsoft Word, Excel and Project Management Software

UN Competencies:

PROFESSIONALISM: 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.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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.

CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

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.

COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; Shows willingness to learn from others; Seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Workforce Diversity:

The United Nations believes that an inclusive culture attracts the best talent and encourages all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, disability, sexual orientation, cultural or religious backgrounds, to apply.

VI. Learning Elements

• On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have/be able to identify map information needs
• Conceptualize methodologies for collecting data in the field, as according to need
• Cross check data collected in the field, ensure regular updates and solve eventual discrepancies
• Maintain, update and expand R system from automated data analysis and map production for factsheets

VII. Background Information

The position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

This job opening is being advertised for the position of Associate GIS officer in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The incumbent reports to the Head of Information management Section OCHA Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). OCHA DRC is the biggest office of the organization in terms of staffing, the section is composed of 9 staff, working in a complex and protracted crisis.