GIS and Planning Officer

Application Type : External Vacancy

Job ID/Title : 979 - UN-HABITAT GIS and Planning Officer

Category : Other Brand : UN-HABITAT

Post Level : SB3/1

Application Deadline : 19-Apr-18

Duty Station : Ramallah, West Bank

Type of Contract : Service Contract

Post Number : (for 100 Series Contracts)  

Languages Required :Arabic, English,

Starting Date :(date when the selected canditate is expected to start)  

Duration of Initial Contract : 6 months (Renewable, based on performance and availability of funds)

Under this project, UN-Habitat is recruiting a GIS and Planning Officer who will work under the direct supervision of the Senior National Urban Programme Officer at UN-Habitat and the focal point for planning interventions in Area C at MoLG, and under the overall supervision of the Head of Office at UN-Habitat. The GIS and Planning Officer will be seconded to MoLG.

S/he will be part of UN-Habitat's support team to spatial planning, land management, and housing related projects. S/he will take the lead on specific expected results assigned to her/him.

The GIS and Planning Officer will contribute to building up and maintaining a network of local organizations and professionals working on planning related matters, liaise with relevant counterparts with the Palestinian Authority, sister UN Agencies and project partners on project activities, as requested by the Senior National Urban Programme Officer. More specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for:

 

• Providing mapping support to the activities of the project ‘‘Fostering Tenure Security and Resilience of Palestinian Communities through Spatial-Economic Planning Interventions in Area C’’ and will support the GIS-related applications.
• Converting AutoCAD format to GIS: prepared local outline plans for Palestinian communities in Area C; monitoring the progress of local outline plans in Area C and partial local outline plans;
• Scanning, geo-referencing, digitizing from hard copies to GIS:
i. Scanning of all types of local outline plans and attach them with the digital;
ii. Digitizing all local outline plans (from geo-referenced hard copies) that have no digital format;
• Verifying/validating spatial data based on multiple sources and software techniques (topology):
i. Verifying/validating local outline plans (approved, objection, Approved Area C, Area C objection, Partial);
ii. Verifying/validating the spatial and attributes of communities particularly the small ones;
iii. Verifying/validating the parcels layer: parcel number, block number, community name;
• Converting non-registered parcels (received from directorates or local government units) from CAD format to GIS;
• Analyzing spatial data to respond to particular needs: building models with ArcGIS model builder; building workbench using FME;
• Modifying local outline plans according to decisions approved by higher planning council:
i. Modifying an approved road or land use within a local outline plan;
ii. Proposing new road within a local outline plan;
• Editing local outline plans based on the processed citizen objections;
• Data entry and analysis;
• Producing maps;
• Collecting/sticking out spatial data using GPS for the purpose of approving aerial photos received from private companies;
• Publishing maps with ArcGIS Server to generate map services that can be shared and exchanged with other institutions;
• Administration of SQL enterprise geodatabase (creation, permissions, privileges, versioning, etc.);
• Configuration and development of web application and related workflows;
• Reports and presentations;
• Leading on specific technical initiatives at the request of the Senior National Urban Programme Officer at UN-Habitat.

- Professionalism:
Demonstrates professional competence and mastery in the fields of participatory spatial planning, community-led initiatives; shows persistence when faced with difficult challenges; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;  commitment to continuous learning; actively seek to develop oneself professionally and personally; good analytical skills, which means the ability quickly identify the key subject(s) in complex and dynamic situations.

 

- Communication:
Strong conceptual skills combined with a proven ability to speak and write clearly and effectively; listens to others; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; Good oral and written communication skills; proficiency in spoken and written Arabic and English, while oral communication skills in Hebrew would be considered a great asset.

 

- Teamwork:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; contribute to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; show willingness to learn from others;

 

- Accountability:
Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for her/his own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education: 
- At minimum a Bachelor Degree (BSc) in Civil/Architecture Engineering with spatial planning background and combined expertise in handling/managing spatial data at enterprise level.

 

Experience: 
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant working experience in areas related to spatial and urban planning, preferably within the planning context of Area C of the West Bank.
- Previous experience working with UN is an asset.

 

Other Requirements: 
- Proven ability to coordinate complex assignments including designing of work plans, facilitate the cooperation of partners, build consensus.
- Knowledge of the spatial and urban planning legal framework and processes of the State of Palestine, with specific demonstrated knowledge of the Area C context.
- Demonstrated expertise in conducting and facilitating urban and spatial planning processes.
- Good knowledge of MS-Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); knowledge of ADOBE design suite (ID, Illustrator, Photoshop) and/or standard GIS software (ArcView, ArcGIS, QGIS), and AutoCAD programmes.
- Proficient in website and internet applications, database management.
- Valid driving license.