Programme Management - Senior Officer (Open-source Earth Observation Innovation) - [RETAINER]

Programme Management - Senior Officer (Open-source Earth Observation Innovation) - [RETAINER]

Job categoriesProject Management, Programme Management

Vacancy codeVA/2025/B5011/29792

LevelICS-9

Department/officeGPO, NYPO, UN Technology Support Services

Duty stationHome based

Contract typeInternational ICA

Contract levelIICA-1

DurationUntil 31 October 2025 (with possibility for extension subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or satisfactory performance)

Application period26-Feb-2025 to 13-Mar-2025

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

 

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

 

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Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

Global Portfolios Office (GPO), New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), Innovation Cell (IC) to implement project activities supporting the area of new methods and emerging technologies in preventive diplomacy and mediation.  

Responding to the Secretary-General’s call for the United Nations to leverage emerging technologies and innovative practices, DPPA established an Innovation Cell in 2020. This team has been pivotal in leading experimentation and pilot projects, both at headquarters and within special political missions. The IC has significantly advanced inclusivity in peace and political processes through AI-driven digital dialogues in countries such as Libya, Yemen, Iraq, Guinea, and Bolivia. Additionally, it has launched new tools such as an environmental database using open-source satellite data, fostering transboundary dialogues on climate change and its intersections with peace and security. Most recently, it has entered into partnerships with other UN entities to ensure the scalability and sustainability of this tool.

To contribute to the Innovation Cell’s pioneering efforts in harnessing open-source earth observation data, the incumbent will collaborate with the open-source earth observation innovation analyst and the focal point in the Innovation Cell, focused on three objectives for 2025:

• Project Management: Advancing DPPA’s open-source dashboard, Geoguard, both for DPPA stakeholders and for new and nascent stakeholders relevant to UN entities as identified. Focusing on user engagement, training related to the tool’s useability for conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts.
• Providing Technical Direction: Offering guidance to DPPA’s open-source earth observation initiatives for enhanced political analysis and transboundary cooperation, responding to ad-hoc requests to apply open-source tools effectively.
• Staying Ahead of Emerging Technologies: Keeping abreast of new developments in open-source earth observation technology, such as AI-enhanced computations, relevant for peace and security use cases. This involves convening scientific, academic, and peace and security exchanges, and providing quarterly updates on emerging geospatial technology trends.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

The incumbent will closely collaborate with end-users (such as regional desks and field presences) and advanced data analytics partners, including researchers and open-source geospatial engineering service providers. Their role will involve user-testing of project deliverables and outputs, ensuring effective monitoring and practical application throughout the project’s progression. A seasoned technical senior officer, skilled in open-source earth observation for peace and security and experienced in project and stakeholder management, will serve as the principal senior officer. This senior officer will oversee monitoring and evaluation processes and recommend necessary corrective actions.

This position in UNOPS requires close coordination with DPPA/IC. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Project Manager and in close collaboration with the Inn...

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

a. Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Environmental Sciences, Economic, Environmental Policy, Political Science, law or in field related to the post description with two (2) years of relevant experience is required; OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Environmental Sciences, Economic, Environmental Policy, Political Science, law or in a field related to the post description with four (4) years of relevant experience is desirable.

b. Work Experience 
Required:
 

Relevant experience is defined as experience in managing geospatial projects and/or conducting research and analysis on issues related to conflict and imagery analysis, humanitarian affairs, disaster risk reduction or related fields.

Desired experience:  (The following experience and skills are optional, candidates who do not have them are welcome to apply)

• At least one year of experience managing geospatial projects at the international level, such as a multilateral organization, for a peace and security mandate is desirable.
• Training experience to UN Staff and stakeholders on open-source geospatial tools relevant to peace and security is desirable.

c. Language:

Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required. 

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and enc...

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Retainer -&n...

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applic...