Scientific Affairs Officer (Head of UN-SPIDER Bonn Office), P-4
Scientific Affairs Officer (Head of UN-SPIDER Bonn Office), P-4
UNOOSA - United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
Bonn, Germany
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is the United Nations office responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. As such, UNOOSA is also the custodian of Space for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. UNOOSA carries out its mandate, which focusses on strengthening international cooperation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space and advancing the use of space science and technology for achieving sustainable development, including through the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER). UN-SPIDER has as mission to: "Ensure that all countries and international and regional organizations have access to and develop the capacity to use all types of space-based information to support the full disaster management cycle". As such, its work is directly relevant to UNOOSA’s Space4ClimateAction strategy. This post is located within the UN-SPIDER Programme and based in the UN-SPIDER Office in Bonn. The Scientific Affairs Officer (Head of UN-SPIDER Bonn Office) works under the direct supervision of the Director of UNOOSA.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Scientific Affairs Officer (Head of UN-SPIDER Bonn Office) will be responsible for the following specific duties:
- Support the implementation of the UN-SPIDER programme as mandated by the General Assembly and in accordance with the Plans of Work reviewed by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the United Nations General Assembly. Support the implementation of the activities of the UN-SPIDER Programme assigned to the staff based in Bonn. This involves all the programme activities related to Knowledge Management including the development and maintenance of the Knowledge Portal;
- Support the development of an overarching UNOOSA Space4Climate Action Strategy, working closely with the Director and Senior Advisor and other Heads of Sections/Teams as required;
- Ensure synergies and coordination, working closely with the other UN-SPIDER offices in Vienna and Beijing, and, when required, carry out common activities to achieve the objectives of UN-SPIDER programme;
- As Head of the Bonn Office, responsible for managing and carrying out all administrative activities and responsibilities related to that office, including budgetary and finance matters, funding-related, staff administration, as well as fund-raising for the Programme, ensuring close adherence to United Nations and UNOOSA administrative rules, regulations and policies; Provide expert advice to Member States, with a specific focus on Africa in support also of the wider UNOOSA Africa strategy, and to other UN entities and programmes in matters related to the use of space-based technologies for disaster risk reduction, emergency response and humanitarian assistance, through, inter alia, participating in and/or leading field missions, provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties, and drafting of mission reports. Work closely with nominated UN-SPIDER National Focal Points and engage with the established UN-SPIDER Regional Support Offices;
- Maintain liaison and assist Member States in taking advantage of potential opportunities in the area of capacity building and institutional strengthening in support of disaster risk reduction and emergency response;
- Ensure synergies of the UN-SPIDER Programme with the activities carried out by the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, including the activities of the UN-affiliated Regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education;
- Support coordination of the broader work of the Office for Outer Space Affairs in the area of adaptation to climate change, working closely with organisations within the United Nations system including the Bonn-based Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - UNFCCC, the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the Institute for Environment and Human Security of the United Nations University (UNU-EHS) and any other U.N. entities involved in disaster management;
- In carrying out these activities, develop, implement and evaluate the actions needed, monitor and analyse the development and implementation of these actions, review relevant documents and reports, identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions, liaise with relevant parties, and ensure follow-up actions;
- Support UN-Space (the United Nations inter-agency coordination mechanism on space related activities) efforts, and organize and support, as needed, expert meetings to strengthen inter-agency coordination on the use of space-based technologies, ensuring that available opportunities are easily accessed and used by the United Nations system;
- Provide support to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space as well as to its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, including preparing and submitting specific reports on the activities of the UN-SPIDER Programme;
- Research, analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources. Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
- Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting;
- Represent UNOOSA in Bonn and interact with national authorities in Germany for liaising on other relevant UNOOSA activities;
- Perform other work-related duties as required.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Has knowledge and professional competence in the area of space-based technologies and space applications solutions applied to risk and disaster risk reduction, emergency response, humanitarian assistance and/or sustainable development and planning or environmental monitoring. Has ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Has ability to develop sources for data collection. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, particularly a familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Is able to apply judgement in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
- Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently;
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Managerial Competencies:
- Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
Education
- An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in applied space science, geospatial science (including geography and geosciences), information systems, regional and international development or related engineering discipline is required;
- A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in defining and implementing global and regional programmes in the use of space-based technologies or information technology and related technological fields for sustainable development and environmental monitoring is required;
- Work experience in providing technical expert support in the areas of developing information technology solutions, disaster risk reduction, emergency response and/or humanitarian assistance is required;
- Work experience in the development and implementation of capacity building and knowledge management and transfer activities in developing countries is desirable;
- Work experience within the United Nations system or similar international organizations is desirable;
- Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of German is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.
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