Programme Management Specialist (Open-source Earth Observation Innovations Project Manager)

Dutystation: Home based

Functional responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with the Innovation Cell Programme Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

Geoguard Expansion:

• In consultation with the project manager develop a detailed strategic plan for expanding Geoguard. This plan should include timelines, resource allocation, coordination mechanisms with regional desks, field presences, and service providers, as well as specific steps for implementation. It should also include a sustainability and knowledge transfer plan of Geoguard.

• User-Testing and Feedback Reports: Create regular reports documenting the user-testing process of project deliverables. These reports should detail feedback from end-users, effectiveness of the deliverables in real-world scenarios, and any identified areas for improvement.

• Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: Support programme manager in developing and implementing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the progress and impact of the Geoguard expansion. This framework should include key performance indicators, monitoring schedules, and evaluation methodologies.

• Academic and Technical Partnerships: Establishment and documentation of partnerships with academic and technical entities. These partnerships should focus on advanced modeling for environmental phenomena like dust storms and their implications for peace and security.

• User Engagement Workshops: Coordinate with project manager to design and execute user-engagement workshops. These workshops should aim at training end-users on utilizing Geoguard effectively, and should be planned for 2024 and beyond, ensuring continual user proficiency and feedback.

• Project and Stakeholder Management Documentation: Provide regular updates and reports on project management aspects, including stakeholder engagement strategies, project milestones, challenges faced, and corrective actions taken.

Technical and Research Outputs:

• Production of technical documents, research papers, or case studies, particularly focusing on the application of open-source earth observation in peace and security contexts. This might include insights gained from the expansion of Geoguard, innovative uses of geospatial data as relevant to DPPA’s mandate, and outcomes of the new predictive models developed.

• Advisory and Consultative Contributions: Contribute to strategic discussions, advice on project directions, potential enhancements, and alignment with broader organizational goals.     

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Expected deliverables:

1. First draft of workplan of the Geoguard expansion, and public-facing products.

2. Stakeholder list of academic and technical partnerships

3. At least two public-facing products drafted and published.

4. User engagement workshops concept note and agenda.

5. Checklist of open-source earth observation tools for peace and security

6. Workshop report (open-source earth observation implementation)

7. Workshop report (open-source earth observation horizon scanning)

8. Final report of lessons learned.

Payment Plan:

• 12.5% paid upon the completion of every deliverable; by the 26th of every month.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*
**CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY**
a. Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) preferably in one of the following fields is required: Environmental Sciences, Economic, Environmental Policy, Political Science, law or in a related field.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

b. Work Experience:

Required experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing geospatial projects and/or conducting research and analysis on issues related to conflict and imagery analysis, humanitarian affairs, disaster risk reduction or related issues is required.

Desired experience:(The following experience is optional; candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• At least one year experience managing geospatial projects at the international level, such as a multilateral organization, preference for peace and security mandate.

c. Language:

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.