Overview
The AI Geoprocessing Specialist will contribute to the design and implementation of geospatial tools powered by automation and artificial intelligence to enhance urban analysis, planning, monitoring, and decision-making processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Support informal settlement mapping processes through automation models for satellite image interpretation.
- Development of frameworks to visualize basic urban services in Integrated Solid Waste Management projects in Latin America.
- Collaborative development of platforms for monitoring sustainable development indicators.
- Maintenance and further development of existing platforms such as the Urban Inclusion Marker (UIM) and Inclusive Cities knowledge products.
- Development of cartographic content platforms to present risk and territorial threat assessments.
- Apply ethical standards in handling georeferenced information related to vulnerable populations.
- Align data management practices with international standards for geospatial and geolocated population data.
- Identify and mitigate biases and risks associated with AI applications in territorial contexts.
- Collaboratively design with the design and communications team an intuitive web platform that enables small municipalities to generate their own targeting analyses.
- Implement step-by-step assistants using accessible language for users without technical training.
- Integrate customizable and pre-designed templates for different municipal contexts.
- Integrate descriptive and interactive information into platforms based on GitHub and linked to WordPress.
- The consultant will be responsible for generating necessary inputs in the framework of his/her responsibilities.
- Prepare datasets, fine-tune models, and evaluate metrics to ensure reliable results.
- Apply and adapt existing AI models for satellite image analysis applicable to multiple urban use cases.
- Implement automated detection systems for urban indicators (population density, housing typologies, green areas).
- Collaboratively design interfaces for the validation of results by territorial experts.
- Adapt developed tools to the specific needs of diverse projects.
- Document and train the internal technical team in the use and maintenance of the solutions.
- Participate in the design of innovative methodologies for territorial and urban analysis.
- Conduct satellite image analysis using tools such as Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS Image Analyst, or similar platforms.
- Integrate multiple geospatial data sources (vector, raster, LiDAR, drone data).
- Apply advanced spatial analysis techniques, including hot spot analysis, proximity analysis, and surface interpolation.
- Develop and manage geospatial AI training workflows, including dataset preparation, model configuration, training, and evaluation.
- Adapt developed tools to the specific needs of various urban projects.
- Document methodologies and technical processes.
- Train internal technical teams in the use and maintenance of developed solutions.
- Contribute to the design of innovative methodologies for urban and territorial analysis.
- Systematizing methodologies, workflows, and technical processes developed during the assignment.
- Developing clear technical documentation, user manuals, and maintenance guidelines for all platforms and AI models.
- Creating knowledge products (briefs, technical notes, methodological guides, case studies) to facilitate replication and scaling in other cities or countries.
- Supporting the development of standardized templates and frameworks for geospatial and AI applications within the office.
- Ensuring that developed tools are reproducible and transferable across projects and contexts.
- Contributing to internal capacity building by conducting technical sessions, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops for staff.
- Supporting the organization and structuring of code repositories (e.g., GitHub) following best practices in version control, documentation, and open collaboration standards.
- Facilitating knowledge exchange between multidisciplinary teams (urban, social, environmental, and technical).
- Identifying lessons learned, challenges, and innovation opportunities to inform future programming.
- Support monitoring of UN-Habitat's implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDP) Target 11 dealing with sustainable cities and communities.
Required Experience
- Minimum two (2) to four (4) years of experience required in geospatial application development or territorial information systems .
- Required experience in at least two full implementation projects involving geotechnological solutions in urban development contexts, with demonstrated expertise in satellite image analysis and/or AI-based geospatial modeling .
- Experience working within multi-disciplinary teams, including urban planners, sociologists, and development specialists, is required.
- Strong knowledge of the Latin American context—particularly Colombia—in urban and territorial development is required .
- Experience in humanitarian or international cooperation settings is desirable.
- Experience within the United Nations System is desirable.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Geomatics, Geography, Urban Planning, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with four (4) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
