Economic Commission for Africa

ICT, Science and Technology Division (ISTD)

Geo-Information Section

Objective

ECA's ISTD division has been assisting member states to develop their National Information and Communications Infrastructure (NICI) plans and strategies as the guiding framework for ICT program planning and project development and implementation. To date, more than 30 African countries have embarked on the development and implementation of these policies and plans and are at various stages in this process. The ECA has also been assisting countries in the development of national policies on the management of geo-information as part of National Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDI). However, NICI and NSDI are still being developed in parallel at the national level with limited interaction between the two groups of stakeholders. ECA is, therefore, launching a new initiative for member states to adopt an integrated approach when developing their national e-strategies. Member states that have already commenced on their respective SDI and/or NICI processes would ensure that links are created between the two with strong coordinating mechanisms.

The aim of SDI is to promote the increased use of spatially referenced information resources in decision making processes and employ appropriate infrastructure and communication technologies leading to sustainable development with main emphasis on remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and other related spatial information technology applications.

Duties and Responsibilities of Consultant

•  Conduct specialized studies and produce publications on spatial data acquisition, data retrieval, data processing facilities available in the region, including the formulation of proposals aimed at enhancing the effective use of geo information technologies as a basic information resources;

•  Conduct specialised studies and produce publications on global trends in the production, management, dissemination, and utilization of geo-information technologies, products and the incorporation of geo-information services for service delivery and socio-economic development, and develop policy guidelines for Africa;

•  Assist in advocacy work on the establishment of local, national and regional spatial data infrastructures and their integration into national/regional e-strategies;

•  Provide technical support to ECA for processing, management and use of geo-information technologies, products, tools and techniques in the analysis and presentation of socio-economic data to facilitate ECA's own research work;

•  Provide technical assistance to ECA for the incorporation and management of spatially referenced data and information via electronic networks, including: sourcing geo data (images, vector/raster databases, metadata) from the Internet and elsewhere for ECA researchers and decision makers;

•  Assist ECA to create and maintain spatial databases, together with relevant metadata systems, on socio-economic themes for use by member States, sub-regional and regional institutions in Africa ;

•  Work on mechanisms to link to institutions responsible for geographic information and identify tools for data exchange to facilitate access to relevant data and disseminate geo-information products and services;

•  Assist ECA to document and disseminate information on geo-information programmes, activities and databases relevant to Africa 's development;

•  Assist ECA in providing, when necessary, expert advice and technical support to member States, sub-regional and regional institutions, focussing on strengthening national, sub-regional and regional capacities, with particular emphasis on endogenous capacity building;

•  Attend and contribute professionally to seminars, workshops, meetings and conferences related to geo information development of benefit to Africa ;

•  Assist in the development of skills of ECA staff on the use of geo-information technologies, products, tools and techniques;

•  Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education

A dvanced university degree in geomatics, remote sensing, cartography, environmental and earth sciences, information sciences, computer sciences, or related field, with specialization in a major area of geographic information management is required. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience in the field of spatial data infrastructure may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience at the international level, in formulating policies and in the design and implementation of spatially referenced geographic information infrastructure, including the manipulation of related datasets and information via electronic networks is required. Sound experience in planning and executing geo information projects is also required. Experience in the African context will be an advantage.

Competencies

Professionalism - Demonstrated broad and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of policies and technologies related to the development, management, utilization and dissemination of geo information resources, including state-of-the-art knowledge of systems, applications and techniques, gained through long experience in the field; demonstrated capacity for intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives; ability to advise senior management on complex geo information systems development and related matters of significant importance to the institution and member states. Creativity - Original and creative thinking in advising on and resolving major issues and problems related to mainstreaming policy in development agendas. Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Communication - Effective written, oral and presentation skills, particularly ability to present information in a concise and accurate manner; ability to defend difficult issues and positions to senior officials; ability to interact with high-level government officials. Planning and Organizing - Proven ability to prioritize, plan and organize own work and ability to integrate work into the work of the unit; ability to monitor and adjust plan and priorities as necessary and to work according to deadlines.

Language

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the work of the section, fluency in written and oral English or French is required. Knowledge of the other language is an advantage.

Other Desirable Skills

Demonstrated hands-on skills in use of GIS software are required. ArcGIS and computer programming skills are highly desirable.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested persons who wish to be considered for the roster are requested to complete the Personal History Form (Form P-11) and send it before 31 May 2008 by e-mail to: ecarecruitment@uneca.org . Kindly note that only applications submitted on Form P-11 will be reviewed.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).

After the initial screening process, persons found to meet the eligibility requirements indicated in the TORs will be contacted for verification of their academic and professional credentials. On completion of the verification process, those retained for roster will be advised accordingly. They will subsequently be contacted to undertake consultancy assignments whenever the need arises. The duration of such assignments ranges from one to six months.