Position Title: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Manager

Duty Station: Berlin, Germany

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 19 April 2023

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:

The Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) has been the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) main operational tool for tracking and monitoring the movements and evolving needs of displaced populations since 2004. It has been systematically deployed in medium to large-scale humanitarian response operations in the last five years, including in all Level 3 emergencies. During 2019, DTM has been active in over 60 countries, tracking and monitoring over 14.5 million displaced persons worldwide.

The DTM Operations, Coordination and Support (OCS) Unit assembles expertise in operations and coordination, methodology and concept development, mapping and Geographic Information Systems, statistical analysis, database and application system development, and data and information management. The OCS provides a full range of support from the initial development and setup to continuous support on operations, staff deployment, data management, mapping, database systems, and development of information products. At the global level, the team is striving to enhance the DTM by providing technical expertise, supporting the integration of innovative technologies, improving capacity building components, and designing streamlined and harmonised processes.

Recent significant scale up of both DTM operations in the field and global development initiatives requires further strengthening of the global DTM Geographic Information System (GIS) team at OCS to ensure effective and efficient implementation of global projects as well as to maintain and keep improving the quality and expansion of DTM in the field.

Under the overall supervision of the Global DTM Team Leader and the direct supervision of the Human Mobility Tracking Expert (Head of OCS), the Senior Geographic Information System (GIS) Officer will be responsible and accountable for leading the support services of DTM Global team in area of GIS and data management and its contribution to effective Information Management.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

  1. Lead and manage the DTM Geospatial experts team, develop work plans, set objectives, monitor performance and geo-enable capacities.
  2. Ensure effective design of operational dashboards (using SQL databases and ArcGIS servers) and relevant products for decision making.
  3. Guidance of the development, implementation, coordination, and maintenance of IOM GIS standards.
  4. Coordination with the Command Operational Dataset (CODs) working group.
  5. Coordinate production and provisioning of maps product and GIS analysis overall to stakeholders and users in IOM and among partners.
  6. Lead developing, testing and deployment of GIS databases, software and other technology solutions (including mobile applications, drones, artificial intelligent, machine learning) and compilation of business requirements, technical specifications, user and technical documentation, methodologies and standards for DTM related applications.
  7. Lead capacity building of IOM staff on all aspects related to Geographic Information Systems(GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS).
  8. Management of IOM Geo-portals, development and implementation of GIS databases, Geo-applications, and production systems; perform basic and advanced processing tasks using ArcGIS tools and SQL management system for web GIS.
  9. Geo-enable management enterprise in data warehouse solution and ensure dataflow from data warehouse to GIS solutions.
  10. Supervise the management of GIS licenses distribution across the organization.
  11. Participate in the formulation and implementation of the IOM GIS Strategy.
  12. Maintain a network with GIS practitioners in partner organizations and represent IOM indifferent global coordination forums related to Information management and geospatial data.
  13. When required, carry out field missions to support Country Offices (COs) and Regional Offices (ROs) in identifying GIS needs and solutions to cover their requirements as well as provide expertise for the implementation of GIS-related projects.
  14. Management and coordination of satellite imagery processes across IOM COs; analysis and sharing between IOM units.
  15. Management and coordination of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) areal imagery project across IOM COs; development and maintenance of IOM UAV strategy.
  16. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

  • Master’s degree in Information Systems, Geography, Development, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
  • University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

  • Experience in design, setting up, managing, and coordinating DTM/GIS implementation and field operations;
  • Strong and demonstrable interest in migration, disaster management and/or humanitarian issues;
  • Experience Works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM;
  • Experience in working on multi-countries multi-components data management activities

Skills

  • Strong and demonstrable interest in migration and/or humanitarian issues.
  • Proven analytical skills and creative thinking.
  • Excellent communication skills, efficiency, and flexibility.
  • Ability to work under pressure.
  • Attention to detail and quality and capacity to meet deadlines.
  • Strong information management architecture knowledge, Kobo development, concepts of Relational Database Systems.
  • Expertise of using GIS in emergency, humanitarian or development operations.
  • Advanced knowledge of GIS and Remote Sensing software based on the ESRI suite and open source.
  • Expertise in Earth Observation and GIS Risk Analysis and remote sensing analysis (Floodsextraction, buildings damage assessment, population affected monitoring).
  • Knowledge of census data analysis and projects.
  • Advanced level of computer and new technology.
  • Delivers on set objectives in hardship situations.
  • Effectively coordinates actions with partners and stakeholders.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of either Spanish and/or French is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

  • Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
  • Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
  • Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
  • Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
  • Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

  • Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
  • Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
  • Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
  • Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
  • Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

  • Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
  • Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
  • Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
  • Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
  • Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.