ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:UN-Habitat
DUTY STATION: United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Nairobi FUNCTIONAL TITLE:Consultant: Python Developer to support the customization and implementation of the Social Tenure Domain Model framework.
SUPERVISOR: Unit Leader, Land and GLTN Unit , ULLG Branch
CONTRACT TYPE & DURATION: 4 months over 10 months
VACANCY CLOSING DATE: 6th February 2015
DUTY STATION: United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Nairobi FUNCTIONAL TITLE:Consultant: Python Developer to support the customization and implementation of the Social Tenure Domain Model framework.
SUPERVISOR: Unit Leader, Land and GLTN Unit , ULLG Branch
CONTRACT TYPE & DURATION: 4 months over 10 months
VACANCY CLOSING DATE: 6th February 2015
BACKGROUND
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The Land and GLTN Unit, located within the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch of UN-Habitat has the mandate to develop, test and disseminate pro-poor and gender responsive approaches in regard to urban land, innovative residential tenures, affordable land management/administration systems, and land related regulatory/legal frameworks and tools. The Unit hence focuses on research and tool development also to supply technical advice to Member States and backstop the Regional offices and other sections of UN-Habitat. Land tools provide a resource for enabling action. While there has been extensive global discussion around land policies that work for the poor, there has been insufficient attention paid to the development of methods for developing and implementing these pro-poor land policies. Consequently what are required are land tools that are affordable and accessible for all sections of the population in countries around the world. This is essential for creating societies with sustainable, equal access and use of land. Work has already started on these approaches, both for developing and post-conflict societies. Incremental expansion of this work over time, as capacity is developed, will take place through the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN, the Network), the Secretariat of which is located at UN-Habitat.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The Land and GLTN Unit, located within the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch of UN-Habitat has the mandate to develop, test and disseminate pro-poor and gender responsive approaches in regard to urban land, innovative residential tenures, affordable land management/administration systems, and land related regulatory/legal frameworks and tools. The Unit hence focuses on research and tool development also to supply technical advice to Member States and backstop the Regional offices and other sections of UN-Habitat. Land tools provide a resource for enabling action. While there has been extensive global discussion around land policies that work for the poor, there has been insufficient attention paid to the development of methods for developing and implementing these pro-poor land policies. Consequently what are required are land tools that are affordable and accessible for all sections of the population in countries around the world. This is essential for creating societies with sustainable, equal access and use of land. Work has already started on these approaches, both for developing and post-conflict societies. Incremental expansion of this work over time, as capacity is developed, will take place through the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN, the Network), the Secretariat of which is located at UN-Habitat.
UN-Habitat through the Global Land Tool Network and its partners is developing and implementing the Social Tenure Domain Model (STDM). STDM, as it stands, has the capacity to broaden the scope of land administration by providing a land information management framework that would integrate formal, informal and customary land systems and administrative and spatial components. STDM makes this possible through tools that facilitates recording all forms of land rights, all types of rights holders and all kinds of land and property objects/spatial units regardless of the level of formality. With the increased growth in the use and application of STDM in multiple contexts as well as open-sourcing the tool’s source codes, a top priority is to continue supporting partners in adopting and integrating the STDM tool into their business processes that comprise the recordation of land rights. For this purpose, the scope of work will focus on assessing the requirements for the specific context it is implemented in and subsequently, extending the core framework and where applicable, integrating the tool with the existing systems in order to meet these requirements. All code developed by the consultant will be released by UN-Habitat under the GNU General Public License.
RESPONSIBILITES
Under the overall supervision of the Unit Leader of Land and GLTN Unit under the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch of UN-Habitat or authorised staff, the consultant will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the Unit Leader of Land and GLTN Unit under the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch of UN-Habitat or authorised staff, the consultant will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:
- Design, develop and implement customized QGIS-based desktop applications and enterprise solutions for GLTN partners using PyQGIS and STDM core framework.
- Active and effective engagement with GLTN key staff and partners in ensuring quality of the tool.
- Assist with application development estimating, planning and progress tracking.
- Write comprehensive technical specifications and support documentation.
- Propose and implement relevant STDM core framework enhancements based on his/her expertise and creativity.
- Provide the necessary training and capacity development in rolling out and maintaining the tool.
- Perform other related tasks as necessary.
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism: 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.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Planning and 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.
Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.
Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Professionalism: 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.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Planning and 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.
Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.
Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s or master’s in Geography, GIS, Computer Science, or a related field.
Bachelor’s or master’s in Geography, GIS, Computer Science, or a related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE
· At least three years of Python and SQL development experience.
· Strong object-oriented and programming skills.
· Experience with PostreSQL, SpatiaLite or other RDBMS.
· Knowledge of geospatial and mapping concepts such as spatial analysis, map projections, etc. is highly recommended.
· Ability to solve any number of problems from code bugs to database connectivity to host system or operating system failures.
· Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas, whether to technical or non-technical GLTN staff and partners
· Strong organizational skills & ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines is essential.
· Ability to write technical documentation.
· Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
· At least three years of Python and SQL development experience.
· Strong object-oriented and programming skills.
· Experience with PostreSQL, SpatiaLite or other RDBMS.
· Knowledge of geospatial and mapping concepts such as spatial analysis, map projections, etc. is highly recommended.
· Ability to solve any number of problems from code bugs to database connectivity to host system or operating system failures.
· Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas, whether to technical or non-technical GLTN staff and partners
· Strong organizational skills & ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines is essential.
· Ability to write technical documentation.
· Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.
REMUNERATION
Remuneration shall be computed based on tasks assigned and results delivered.
Remuneration shall be computed based on tasks assigned and results delivered.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications should include:
· Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
· Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
· Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
- Educational Background (incl. dates)
- Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years / months)
- Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
- Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
- Expectations regarding remuneration (daily)
- List of referees
· Optional: A document developed by the applicant that is able to depict his / her ability to perform the tasks described in these Terms of Reference.
All applications should be submitted to:
Global Land Tools Network Secretariat, UN-Habitat
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: info.ullg@unhabitat.org cc: Josephine.Ruria@unhabitat.org
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: info.ullg@unhabitat.org cc: Josephine.Ruria@unhabitat.org
Subject of the email: Application - Python Developer-STDM
Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the UN-Habitat e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 6thFebruary 2015
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org
