GIS Specialist (Geographical information system) at World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

DUTIES

Under the supervision of the HIR Programme Area Manager and overall coordination of the Regional Emergency Director, the main focus of the work is to conduct GIS analysis and visualization of the different sources of data generated from the Emergency Preparedness and Response programme, to inform planning and decision-making process. This involves collecting, compiling, processing and managing data from different activities including preparedness, outbreak detection, verification and assessments, epidemiological surveillance (IDSR), public health intelligence and Rapid Risk Assessments, and outbreak response activities.

The incumbent works within the information systems and data analytics subunit of the HIR Programme Area at the emergency hub in close collaboration with other emergency hubs and the Regional Office.

Duties also involve close collaboration within the WHE Programme, WHO HQ, Regional and Country Offices and with a broad range of partners, on data and information-sharing.

The incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities which are performed according to the needs and agenda:

• To enhance and support data collection by compiling geographic data from a variety of sources for analysis and reporting on health security and emergencies, playing a lead role in the development and production of maps, visual reports and related mapping documents ensuring that cartographic products provide optimum functionality and effectively support HSE’s coordination and response to outbreaks and emergencies.


• To contribute to the support of Member States to create, update and prepare geographic layers, as it relates to HSE, including cleaning, compiling, and collating from various sources, comparisons and cross checking.


• In line with the work plans and/or specific instructions manage existing GIS technology and related software packages, trouble-shoot and identify problems in deployed applications and resolve issues,


• To support and improve user requirements, define data needs, project requirements and human and financial outputs, to recommend and/or design and develop innovative solutions.


• To define the needs and improve user support, develop and up-date training materials for GIS training and education programs to build capacity of relevant WHO staff and Member States.


• To support data modelling and projection as required; To perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree in Geography, GIS, Computer Science, Space Sciences and/or an equivalent that involves GIS and Remote sensing programmes.

Desirable: Masters in GIS or epidemiology. Specialized training in GIS software and applications, geo-database, software program languages and/or web technology;

Experience

Essential:

• At least five years of experience in GIS, such as GIS system integration, geographic/terrain analysis, remote sensing, mapping, GPS, geo-spatial related information technology, etc. and its related works are required Proven experience in GIS training for capacity development and on-job training, and project management and evaluation of existing GIS projects.

Desirable:

Practical experience of the GIS software such as ArcGIS: ArcInfo, ArcView; Knowledge of geo-database, software program languages and web technology.

Skills

• Demonstrated experience in the usage of computers and office software packages and in handling web-based management systems.


• Proven conceptual and strategic analytical capacity in understanding GIS applications for mapping outbreaks and emergencies.


• Track record of success in assessing user requirements and developing and prioritizing plans to best meet requirements,


• In-depth knowledge of the latest technological development in GIS, GPS, remote sensing and web applications and good understanding of the applicability and limitations of technology in work contexts.


• Excellent organizational and technical skills with the ability to multitask, explain technical issues and resolve problems in a proactive manner; Proven commitment to quality and good client orientation and ability to take part in training activities with tact and diplomacy.


• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner; Knowledge of WHO/AFRO practices and procedures an advantage.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork


• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.


• Communication.


• Promoting innovation and organizational learning


• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.

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