VACANCY NO.: Job ID 2013
CLOSING DATE: 23 July 2012 (5.00 p.m. New York time)
POST TITLE: Technical Specialist, Census Cartography/Mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS)
CATEGORY: ICS-11 (equivalent to P-4)
POST NUMBER: New
DUTY STATION: Luanda
POST TYPE: Non-Rotational
DURATION: One year (renewable)
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Angola Country Office, Africa Regional Office
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
After ten years of peace with rapid economic growth and the first results of massive infrastructural investments, Angola is now able to prioritize its Human Development, under the Government’s leadership. However, despite some perceptible advances, the absence of census regular surveys and lack of updated data make it difficult to track accurately the progress in various sectors. The increasing needs of data and statistical information, especially in the social sector, are hampering social mobilisation to address national challenges.
The last population and housing census (PHC) was conducted in 1970, prior to the independence in 1975. Angola has postponed its census until July 2013 in order to make up for the lack of a viable statistical system and for it to be adequately prepared. This upcoming census will be a huge opportunity to empower the country with critical national and sub-national information to be used for development planning for raising the standard of living of the population of Angola and for maintaining equity and equality among all subgroups. In fact, as decentralization is there at the top of the current Governance agenda, the census is one such element of extreme importance as unique source to close the data and information gaps at the lower levels to support planning purposes, good governance accountability and effective decentralization and to improve data quality of household surveys.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) jointly with UN agencies is supporting the Government of Angola, particularly the National Institute of Statistics (Instituto Nacional de Estatistica - INE) in conducting this census to enable national technical and management capacities in Angola to plan and implement high quality PHC in accordance with scientifically established and internationally recognized standards and procedures.
However, the national statistical system clearly lacks sufficient capacity in the census taking in general and in census cartography/mapping and GIS in particular which related work has begun in March 2010 with UNFPA technical assistance through short term international consultancy missions. The cartographic fieldwork to demarcate an enumeration area (EA) frame for the 2013 PHC and inter-censal surveys is part of the on-going INE’s Project for Establishing and Automating the Census Cartographic Base of Angola, and for which there is a pressing need for additional effective and durable technical support.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:
The Census Cartography/Mapping and GIS Specialist will be based at INE in Luanda. Under the overall guidance of the Census Chief Technical Adviser, he/she will assist in the development of pre- and post-census computer mapping and GIS capabilities at the INE Central Census Office. The Census Cartography/Mapping and GIS Specialist will work with the Chief of the INE Department of Censuses and Special Inquiries, the Director of the Division of Census Cartography/Census Cartography Commission, and in close collaboration and coordination with the INE technical staff and other international personnel attached to the Census project, to ensure the full implementation of the pre-Census EA field mapping, the digitizing of the field returns (updated topographic maps and satellite imagery) and post-enumeration development of GIS analysis/dissemination.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Specifically, he/she will be expected to carry out the following duties and responsibilities:
i. Determine the scope of manual and computerized mapping/GIS activities for the pre-enumeration, enumeration and post-enumeration phases and devise a progressive work plan; ii. Estimate personnel and capacity building needs for cartographic fieldwork and office preparations. Engage in local technical training of INE cartographic office staff and field staff and undertake Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of the cartographic fieldwork to demarcate an EA frame; iii. Advise on the acquisition of satellite imagery and data-sets from different sources; iv. Assist with data conversion, including digitizing, scanning, editing and integration of GPS-derived field maps; v. Assist in recommending appropriate training institutions and arranging advanced overseas training for INE staff. Provide feedback and technical recommendations to the Census CTA; vi. Advise on geo-database design and initiate quality control measures to ensure the databases conform to defined accuracy standards. Ensure that Quality Assurance / Quality Control procedures are established and understood by members of the Division of Census Cartography / Census Cartography Commission team; vii. Advise on the management and geographic analysis of the census data and the preparation of publication maps and graphs, and devise a plan for the dissemination of geographic Census databases; viii. Ensure that geo-spatial data used is current, consistent and accurate, and advise on the long-term operation of the INE geo-databases; ix. Formulate short and long-term development plans for the Division of Census Cartography / Census Cartography Commission at INE, including capacity building for the national staff; x. Coordinate the systematic geo-coding, reproduction and archiving of census EA maps, and ensure that the Census geo-database produces analytical products; xi. Provide technical support in ArcIMS (Arc Server) development and maintenance, as well as application and system perfoprmance; xii. Prepare and submit six-monthly progress reports; xiii. Undertake any other duties relevant to the 2013 PHC as may be required by the INE Director General, the Chief of the Department of Censuses, the Coordinator for Census Cartography/GIS, and the Census CTA in consultation with the UNFPA Representative.
Core competencies
• Commitment to UNFPA’s Values and Guiding Principles; • Developing People/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment/Performance Management • Team work/Communications/Self-management • Strategic thinking/Results orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making • Knowledge sharing and continuous learning
Functional Competencies:
• Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise • Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships • Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Advance degree in Cartography, Geo-Informatics / GIS from a recognised institution, or relevant combination of education, and at least five years of experience in the appropriate area; • Seven years Census and Statistical Surveys experience in Census Cartography/Mapping and GIS in a developing country; • Advanced knowledge of automated cartography, census mapping using GPS, mobile mapping systems and geo-database modelling; • Advanced knowledge in the use of ArcGIS 9.3 and Version 10, ArcIMS (Arc Server), ArcPad, MS Project and MS Office software; • Proven experience in planning and implementation of field mapping logistics, and technical capacity building / training in developing countries; • Experience in leading teams in a complex multi-cultural environment is desirable; • Fluent spoken and written Portuguese and/or English is essential. Knowledge of French is desirable.
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender quality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.
We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position. The package includes a competitive salary plus housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.
1/ No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulation 4.5
How to Apply:
UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy.
Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment/application_guide.doc. Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process. Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their appointment. Exceptions to this rule are very limited and can be made only for: (a) stateless persons; (b) newly appointed staff members who have applied for citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted imminently; (c) acting staff members in the General Service and related categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional category; (d) staff members appointed under a temporary appointment. Please understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance in applying for any citizenship.
*This is a project-funded post.
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