United Nations - Associate Expert, New York, USA

Title: Associate Expert in Humanitarian Mapping
Duration: 1 year (with possible extension for another year)
Date Required: as soon as possible
Duty Station (location, sector): New York, USA

Supervision
Direct supervision by:
Title of the supervisor: Information Analyst/Cartographer
Content and methodology of the supervision: On-the-job training on humanitarian
information management through web publishing and related services. The
Associate Expert will receive practical, hands-on induction and daily guidance
thereafter through open communication with team members.

Duties, responsibilities and output expectations
The Associate Expert will play an important role in enhancing ReliefWeb's
services in facilitating analysis for humanitarian action, and will be an
integral part of the team that takes a highly successful service to the next
level. Specifically, the Associate Expert will:
* In response to the onset of natural disasters and complex humanitarian
emergencies, create maps and other graphical products that rapidly provide
visual summary of situations to highlight and complement related information on
the ReliefWeb site;
* Take editorial decisions in locating, selecting and prioritizing maps and
other graphical products, and publish them on the ReliefWeb site;
* Acquire, organize and maintain geographical and related data that support
analytical products;
* Liaise with partners to improve and promote ReliefWeb products and services,
and participate in initiatives to enhance understanding of humanitarian issues
through mapping and data visualization;
* Participates actively in conceptualization, design and development of
policies, products, services and workflow as ReliefWeb implements its Strategic
Business Plan.
Qualifications and experience
Qualifications: Advanced university degree in information management, geography,
cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), earth sciences, or related
field or equivalent combination of a degree and work experience. Good
understanding of humanitarian issues, online publishing/journalism and web
technologies.
Language: Fluency in oral and written English and effective communications
skills are essential; working knowledge of another official UN language is an
advantage.
UN competencies: Professionalism; commitment to continuous learning, client
orientation, technology awareness, teamwork.
Work experience: Experience in cartography, GIS, data visualization.
Demonstrated working knowledge of graphics design, multimedia authoring tools,
Web standards, and data management. Sound knowledge of global geography,
international politics and conflict, and current affairs.
Other Desirable qualifications: Knowledge of, and work experience related to
humanitarian issues and developing countries. Basic knowledge of the
institutions of the UN system.
Learning Elements
This assignment offers an ideal entry into the professional humanitarian
community through broad exposure to major humanitarian issues and key
stakeholders. Placement at OCHA headquarters offers opportunities for
interaction with global partners as well as regional and field offices.
During the assignment, the Associate Expert will have access to the following
development opportunities:
* Daily exposure to humanitarian mapping methodologies and practices at the
highest level
* Registration for potential emergency deployment through the OCHA Emergency
Response Roster (ERR)
* Training opportunities offered by OCHA, including Humanitarian Field
Coordination Programme (HFCP)
* Other training and networking opportunities offered in humanitarian issues
and mapping
* Mentoring by senior ReliefWeb and OCHA staff
At the end of the assignment, the Associate Expert will have:
* An overview of humanitarian situations, key stakeholders and issues
especially in the Asia/Pacific region.
* Knowledge and experience of advanced information management and web
publishing practices
* State-of-the-art skills in humanitarian mapping, a highly-sought competency
in field operations
* Contact with key humanitarian organizations in the Asia/Pacific region
* Experience of a major business development process of a mission-critical
project
Background information
ReliefWeb is a source for timely, reliable and relevant humanitarian information
and analysis. To help those engaged in humanitarian action make sense of
humanitarian crises worldwide, we constantly scan thousands of sources and
ensure the most relevant content is readily available on ReliefWeb, or delivered
through preferred channels (RSS, e-mail, mobile phone, Twitterand Facebook) . We
also produce specialized maps and graphics to illustrate important humanitarian
situations and issues, including those that risk being overlooked. In addition,
we list job and training opportunities to help match the supply and demand for
skills and expertise in the aid sector.
Significant improvements will be made to ReliefWeb in 2010. Investments in our
technology and editorial management will ensure easier access to relevant
humanitarian information and an improved job and skills marketplace. Our plans
also include a professional forum and network, through which users can link with
colleagues and the global humanitarian community to exchange information and
expertise. Upgrades to ReliefWeb will also ensure it can host or integrate
applications that support humanitarian work. 'ReliefWeb Apps' will provide
access to important databases and applications, many of which our partners have
developed. For more details, please see our business plan for 2010. We welcome
feedback on our community forum.
The ReliefWeb section is situated within the Communications and Information
Services Branch (CISB). The ReliefWeb team coordinates closely with other
sections and units within the branch, particularly the Audio and Visual Media
Unit (AVMU) and external partners working in the humanitarian mapping / data
visualization field.

Candidates who would like to indicate their interest should do so by e-mail only
at tcrecruit@un.org. Applications must be received no later than 9 May 2011.

Applicants are requested to attach their Personal History Statement and a
motivation letter.
Please, indicate the VA Number in the subject heading of your e-mail.
This vacancy is open to Developing Countries candidates only.