Consultant for GIS and Citizen Science Applications

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, UNESCO operates in more than 190 countries, focusing on building peace in the minds of men and women through education, science, culture, and communication. The organization is committed to fostering sustainable development and promoting cultural diversity, aiming to ensure that everyone has access to quality education and the benefits of scientific knowledge.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work under the authority of the Director of the Division of the Ecological and Earth Sciences and the overall responsibility of the Head of the MAB Section: Network and Capacity Building. The primary function of this position is to support UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere and Global Geoparks programmes by creating and analyzing digital maps using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The consultant will be responsible for implementing quality control of spatial data, ensuring completeness and accuracy, and updating the GIS databases. This role also involves drafting a publication on 'Citizen Science Applications for Water Management', which will summarize knowledge and provide insights into methodologies, tools, and best practices in the field. The consultant is expected to deliver high-quality outputs that align with UNESCO's strategic objectives for sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity conservation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create and analyze digital maps using GIS to support UNESCO’s programmes.
• Implement quality control measures for spatial data, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Edit and update GIS databases related to Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks.
• Review spatial data and align files to meet technical specifications.
• Organize and structure spatial data for various types of analysis.
• Aggregate spatial data at both country and programme levels.
• Draft a publication on Citizen Science Applications for Water Management, including developing an outline and writing a draft of at least 30 pages.
• Collect input from key partners to validate information and integrate examples into the publication.
• Ensure that all deliverables meet the required quality standards and deadlines.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in geography, GIS, or a related discipline.
• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in an international setting.
• Proficiency with QGIS and/or ArcGIS, including familiarity with various data types and coordinate systems.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in geography, GIS, or a related field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of spatial data and its applications in environmental management and conservation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in an international context. This experience should include working with GIS technologies and methodologies, as well as involvement in projects related to natural resource management or environmental science.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English or French, both written and spoken, is mandatory. A good knowledge of the other language is also required, as the consultant will need to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and produce documentation in both languages.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is flexible, ranging from 1 to 6 months, and the position is open to external candidates. The application process requires candidates to submit a comprehensive application through the UNESCO careers website, including a CV, a technical proposal, and a financial proposal. The selection process may involve assessments and interviews, and only selected candidates will be contacted. UNESCO emphasizes its commitment to diversity and encourages applications from under-represented groups.