The United Nations Satellite Centre, UNITAR, delivers geospatial analysis and satellite-derived products to support humanitarian response, disaster risk reduction, human rights monitoring, and sustainable development. To ensure the consistency, reliability, and scalability of its analytical outputs, the United Nations Satellite Centre applies structured quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes across its workflows and contributes to capacity development through applied training initiatives, including collaboration with academic institutions.
This roster is established for Individual Contractors (non-regular staff) to provide remote technical quality assurance, analytical advisory services, and training contributions supporting the United Nations Satellite Centre’s distributed analytical production and scalable capacity development activities.
Roster members will operate in fully remote environments, contributing to globally distributed teams and workflows, and supporting the continuous improvement of analytical practices and applied learning approaches linked to operations.
Key areas of expertise and functions include:
- Conducting remote QA/QC review of geospatial outputs, including maps, datasets, web services, and analytical reports
- Providing structured technical feedback and recommendations to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to United Nations Satellite Centre standards
- Reviewing and assessing geospatial methodologies, workflows, and analytical techniques applied across distributed production environments
- Verifying compliance with technical standards, data licensing and satellite imagery usage requirements, and metadata and documentation practices
- Identifying technical inconsistencies, uncertainties, and sources of error, and proposing corrective measures
- Contributing to the development and improvement of remote QA/QC processes, distributed analytical workflows, and internal guidance materials
- Providing technical advice and analytical input in complex, high-priority, or time-sensitive contexts, including emergencies, disasters, and conflict situations
- Supporting validation of outputs, testing of methodologies, and resolution of technical issues through targeted analytical tasks
- Contributing to the development of applied training materials, including remote learning modules, practical exercises, and operational assignments
- Supporting the design and delivery of course content aligned with academic and professional programmes in collaboration with partner institutions
- Translating operational geospatial workflows into structured learning materials, case-based applications, and applied exercises
- Conducting QA/QC of outputs produced by the Centre to support quality improvement and applied learning processes
- Supporting traineeship programmes, including definition of assignments, technical input to evaluations, and engagement with academic partners
- Contributing to the development and dissemination of training materials in collaboration with universities and learning institutions
- Supporting the evolution of AI-assisted analytical approaches, automation, and distributed or remote production models
- Contributing to scalable training-to-operations models linking applied training, analytical production, and distributed capacity development
- Contributing to knowledge products, documentation, and continuous improvement of workflows and systems
Expected outputs may include QA/QC review notes, technical assessments, contributions to training materials, feedback on analytical outputs, inputs to workflows and guidance materials, and summary reporting on findings and recommendations.
Assignments are conducted remotely (home-based), with coordination through digital collaboration platforms and close engagement with United Nations Satellite Centre personnel and globally distributed teams. Engagements are delivered under Individual Contractor modalities, with no supervisory responsibilities.
At least 6 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in geospatial analysis, remote sensing, or GIS, including:
- Experience conducting and/or reviewing geospatial analysis using satellite imagery
- Experience applying QA/QC processes to ensure the reliability and consistency of analytical outputs
- Experience working with distributed or remote analytical workflows and collaboration environments
- Strong analytical skills and ability to provide structured technical feedback and recommendations
- Experience contributing to training, e-learning, or applied capacity development initiatives
Experience in humanitarian or international operational contexts is an asset.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in geospatial science, remote sensing, geography, GIS, engineering, International Relations or a related technical field.
Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.
Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.