CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued on:
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:
UN-HABITAT
DUTY STATION:
Hargeisa, Somaliland (with regular travel to other towns in the Somali region)
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:
GIS Consultant
DURATION:
12 work months with possibility of extension
CLOSING DATE:
22ndSeptember 2014
BACKGROUND
The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery for Somalia (JPLG) has established an important platform for seizing the development moment and is also a programme that has translated many of the ambitions of the ‘One UN’ principles into tangible improvements in aid and wider development effectiveness.
It is against this background that JPLG, launched in 2008 for a period of five years, is to be continued for a second phase of five years running from 2013 through 2017 referred to as JPLG II. The Joint Programme, which has five partners including ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-Habitat and UNICEF, is aligned with the UN Somali Assistance Strategy (UNSAS), 2010 – 2015 and contributes to at least five of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). JPLG II will build on the successes achieved during the past five years and will maintain the same focus of strengthening local government as a means of enhancing the delivery of services to citizens and restoring confidence and credibility in the state. It will also improve state-citizen relations by linking local governments to their constituent communities and will engage the private sector transparently and accountably.
The overall objective of JPGL II is to promote improvements in local governance quality that can contribute to peace consolidation, development and equitable service delivery. The programme outcomes are structured around three mutually reinforcing strategies:
Supporting policy and legislative reforms for functional, fiscal and administrative decentralization that clarify and enhance the role of local government, its relationship to central government, and as a means to improve local service delivery, Improving local government capacity for equitable service delivery, Improving and expanding the delivery of sustainable services to citizens in an equitable, responsive and socially accountable manner and promoting local economic environment.
JPLG requires GIS, geo-database management and remote sensing expertise for the maintenance and further development of existing municipal GIS systems, and for the establishment of municipal GIS systems in other Somali cities.
In order for local governments to be accountable and responsive to community priorities in providing equitable and sustainable services and promoting local economic development, JPLG II will continue supporting regional and district councils in having adequate facilities to provide services.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the overall coordination of the JPLG Programme Manager, and the supervision of the JPLG GIS officer and in close collaboration with Puntland GIS Expert and the Hargeisa GIS Assistant, Somaliland National Programme Officer and Somaliland Local Authorities the consultant is responsible for tasks related to GIS and database development and the production of mapping products. More specifically, the GIS Consultant tasks are as follows:
A)****GIS-based property database development:
Develop GIS building’s database in one district in Somaliland
Assist in the development of the GIS buildings database in South Central Somalia
Oversee and backstop supplementary property surveys in Hargeisa, Borama and Berbera Municipality, with the aim of updating the existing property database for use with the AIMS and BIMS municipal finance systems
Reconcile property database reference codes with the existing coding systems in Hargeisa, Berbera, Boroma and Gebiley, as required for incorporation in the accounting and billing systems
Revise the base maps, using updated satellite imagery, and provide technical support to the respective municipal GIS offices as required.
B)****Capacity building in GIS and database development:
Provide technical support and transfer knowledge in GIS, database management and remote sensing skills to local authority staff
Develop training modules and conduct a series of trainings on GIS, remote sensing, database development and mapping for Municipal staff
C)****System development:
Assess and advise on the potential to expand GIS systems to other land management applications e.g. cadastral development, property valuation, thematic mapping, etc
Provide necessary technical inputs for the preparation of urban development plans and resettlement plans for displaced communities
D)****Oversight of and reporting on GIS and database development in the field:
Oversee overall field coordination activities of the GIS offices
Prepare and present periodic GIS unit reports to the Land Management Project Manager
Any other GIS related tasks, as required by the Programme.
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism
Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery in delivering on UN-Habitat/JPLG mandate; 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; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas.
Communication
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Planning and 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.
EDUCATION
University degree (BSc. or equivalent) in Land Surveying, Geomatic Engineering or Geodesy
WORK EXPERIENCE
Minimum 2 years professional experience in geo-information project management and demonstrable skills and knowledge in digital cartography/GIS and CAD/mapping/GIS software in a post conflict environment.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Fluency in English; Knowledge of Somali is an asset
OTHER SKILLS
Strong co-ordination, communication and facilitation skills
Results-oriented, flexible and problem-solving attitude
Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Fully competent in Microsoft Office Programmes such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and GIS information and data management software
Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN-Habitat
REMUNERATION
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.
Applications should include:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• CV in the PHP format, accessible through the INSPIRA website (inspira.un.org) Please note, if using INSPIRA for the first time, you need to register in order to activate your account, which will allow you to log in and create a personal History Profile.
• The PHP should be attached to the application as a PDF file.
• Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
Educational Background (incl. dates)
Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
Expectations regarding remuneration
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
Please also be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the
UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster
through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
How to apply:
All applications should be submitted to:
UN-HABITAT Somalia Office
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: un-habitat.som@unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 22nd September 2014
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org
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