Geospatial Data Specialist w/ UN Development Programme

etted Experts Roster: Geospatial Data Specialist with Expertise in Biodiversity Conservation, Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Development
 
https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=79718
 
Employer :      United Nations Development Programme
Location :        Home-based with possible missions
Application Deadline :            14-Jul-18 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract :       Individual Contract
Post Level :     International Consultant
Duration of Initial Contract :  Depending on particular assignment
 
Background
 
Accurate spatial data on the status and trends of biodiversity, ecosystems and essential ecosystem services is of paramount importance for UNDP and the decision makers and governments it works with. Yet the ability of countries to access and use spatial data to develop plans, take actions and report results is extremely low. A recent study of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPS) and 5th National Reports (NR) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) from more than 110 countries shows that NBSAPs contain an average of fewer than four maps, and NRs fewer than five. Moreover, the study revealed critical gaps – less than 4% of all maps (and only 8 countries) included ecosystem services. These findings reflect similar results to a survey conducted 18 months ago for 100+ countries. Without accurate data on the status and trends of biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services, decision makers will continue to be unable to fully understand the consequences of biodiversity loss to sustainable development. Therefore, their ability to achieve the 2030 Agenda and their national Sustainable Development Goals will be compromised. For example, countries may need support with geospatial data analyses to prepare a comprehensive, data-driven national report, or to determine where to implement a conservation strategy or action and assess its impact. We are seeking spatial data experts worldwide with knowledge of English, and French and/or Spanish languages to assist in addressing these gaps.
 
Duties and Responsibilities
 
The scope of work will vary depending on the assignment but would include one or various of the below services within national, regional and global programmes or projects led by the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH), UNDP Headquarters in New York, and UNDP Country Offices:
 
The spatial data experts will provide assistance to countries in the collection and analysis of geospatial data related to biodiversity, natural resource management, and sustainable development. Tasks can include:

• Producing geospatial maps to support the development and/or implementation of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs), National Reports to the Convention of Biological Diversity, the UN Sustainable Goals, or other Multilateral Environmental Agreements;
• Training and/or supporting countries to analyze geospatial data layers to make biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and sustainable development decisions;
• Providing technical support to countries in the management of GIS layers;
• Working with UNDP staff and partner organizations to develop case studies and story maps about the value of geospatial data to biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and sustainable development decision-making;
• Supporting teams to identify the minimum viable set of data layers that need to be analyzed to address a conservation or development challenge and to find important available datasets beyond the initial minimum viable dataset requirements;
• Conducting and maintaining an inventory of current data that are available in a subject area or a geography, as well as determining how frequently each dataset needs to be updated, what data sharing agreements need to be in place to use it, and how frequently they need to be maintained;
• Performing any required GIS processing needed to render data into the formats needed;
• Gathering, processing and uploading datasets, or correct data access parameters and settings (WMS: web map service), into the UN Biodiversity Lab platform, including correct available metadata;
• Carrying out geoprocessing and analyses of data layers, as determined to be useful. For example, identifying overlaps of important urban watersheds and forest; and
• Completing customized geospatial data analyses as requested by UNDP

 
Competencies
 
Corporate

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; and
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

 
Technical skills:

• Knowledge of geospatial data;
• Data management and quality assurance;
• Excellent overall computer skills.

 
Required Skills and Experience
 
Academic Qualifications/Education:
 
Minimum Bachelor Degree in a discipline related to the analysis of geospatial data for natural resource management or biodiversity conservation. Degrees could include natural resources management, biological sciences, forestry, agriculture, agro-economics, geography, climate sciences, international development, public policy, social sciences, economics, public administration, finance or other closely related fields. Master’s degree or higher is preferred.
 
Experience:

• Three years of working experience applying GIS in the following types of subject areas: biodiversity, conservation, access and benefit sharing (genetic resources), combating poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking, ecosystem-based adaptation or mitigation, ecosystem restoration or rehabilitation, sustainable natural resource and land management and agriculture, deforestation-free commodities, protected areas, watershed management, biodiversity-compatible supply chains, freshwater ecosystems, marine and coastal ecosystems, national biodiversity planning and reporting. 
• Three or more years of experience developing models and maps that indicate the conservation status of protected areas or threats to biodiversity.
• Experience working with international institutions, civil societies and/or governmental authorities, and experience working with and in developing countries is an advantage
• One or more years of experience with open-source GIS and spatial database software, including Linux, PostgresSQL/PostGIS, R and R-shiny or GDAL/OGR is an advantage.