General
Description of assignment title
Research Assistant in Geospatial Groundwater Analysis
Assignment country
Lebanon
Expected start date
08/01/2025
Sustainable Development Goal
6. Clean water and sanitation
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
ESCWA
Type
Onsite
Duration
9 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Beirut
Details
Mission and objectives
The Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA) was established on 9 August 1973 pursuant to Economic and Social Council’s resolution 1818 (LV). Its purpose was to stimulate economic activity in member countries, strengthen cooperation between them promote development. ESCWA’s objectives are to support economic and social development in member countries, to promote interaction and cooperation between member countries, to encourage the exchange of experience, best practice and lessons learned, to achieve regional integration and ensure interaction between Western Asia and other regions, and to raise global awareness of the circumstances and needs of member countries. ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Context
The specialist would support in reviewing, digitizing, analyzing and classifying maps based on geoscience and hydrogeological attributes that are drawn from various groundwater resource databases and in supporting multi-layer geospatial analysis for the preparation of background briefs of selected aquifer systems in the Arab region and for developing ArcGIS story maps.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Senior Sustainable Development Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will: • Digitize and produce hydrogeological maps based on received national data or from ESCWA’s archive. • Researching and collected published groundwater related maps and data. • Perform quality checks on maps received in electronic formats, including cleaning of the attribute tables, verification of map classifications and colour coding. • Support preparation of the desk study on selected national and transboundary aquifers for the preparation of background briefs. • Assist in the preparation of the multilayer analysis using GIS software for the chosen aquifers. • Support preparation of ArcGIS story maps. • Support publishing of GIS layers on dedicated groundwater platform. • Support in other activities drawing upon GIS tools as requested.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Geoscience, Hydrogeology or/and related field is required. A Master’s Degree is preferred.
Competencies and values
Adaptability and flexibility Creativity Professionalism
Skills and experience
A minimum of three years of experience working in Geoscience and GIS analysis is required. Knowledge of Python is desirable.
Area(s) of expertise
Information technology
Driving license
–
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Beirut. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions. National UN Specialist Volunteers in Lebanon are entitled to: • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 1,606.58 • Annual and learning leaves • Medical and life Insurance • Free access to different learning platforms. For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
Scam warning
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