GIS Knowledge Management Specialist

Host entity: WHO

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Knowledge management, research, reporting, Information technology and telecommunications, Public health, immunisation

Application deadline: 10/10/2026

Mission and objectives

With its establishment on 7 April 1948, WHO works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. WHO’s goal is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and well-being.

Assignment context

The WHO European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies (PHHE) supports Member States across the WHO European Region in strengthening their capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Within this mandate, the WHO European Geospatial Coordination Hub, hosted by PHHE; drives the integration of geospatial tools, data, and intelligence to inform evidence-based decision-making in emergency and public health contexts.

The Hub works to strengthen the use of geospatial information and digital innovation across the Region by supporting country offices, technical teams, and partners through knowledge sharing, capacity-building initiatives, communities of practice, and the dissemination of innovative approaches and lessons learned. The Hub also promotes visibility, learning, and collaboration on geospatial and digital solutions that support public health and emergency preparedness.

The UN Volunteer will support the WHO Europe Geospatial Hub in enhancing regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing by contributing to the coordination of webinars, workshops, and learning events; supporting communications and outreach activities; maintaining knowledge management resources and collaboration platforms; and developing briefing notes, case studies, and thought-leadership products. This role will help strengthen stakeholder engagement, facilitate the exchange of expertise across the Region, and promote the dissemination of innovative practices in support of WHO's strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Task description

Under the overall guidance of the Team Lead – GIS and Digital Solutions, the GIS UN Volunteer will:
• Maintain and update the GIS Hub knowledge repository, ensuring resources, guidance documents, and learning materials are accessible and up to date.
• Support the organization and documentation of webinars, trainings, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events, including preparation of materials and event summaries.
• Develop communication and visibility products, including newsletters, briefing notes, success stories, and web content.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned, good practices, and emerging trends in geospatial and digital innovation.

Results:
• GIS Hub knowledge repository updated and maintained with key resources and reference materials.
• At least two webinars or knowledge-sharing events supported and documented.
• Communication and visibility products developed and disseminated through appropriate channels.
• Lessons learned, good practices, and knowledge products documented and shared with relevant stakeholders.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrated professional experience in knowledge management, information management, communications, GIS, or related fields.
• Experience developing, organizing, maintaining, and disseminating knowledge resources, including guidance documents, training materials, reports, and other technical or informational products.
• Experience supporting webinars, workshops, meetings, training sessions, or other knowledge-sharing activities.
• Experience developing communication and visibility products, including newsletters, briefing notes, presentations, web content, success stories, and event summaries.
• Experience documenting and synthesizing lessons learned, good practices, and technical knowledge for different audiences.
• Familiarity with geospatial information and GIS concepts; experience with GIS software such as QGIS or ArcGIS is considered an asset.
• Experience using collaboration and knowledge-management platforms such as SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or similar systems.
• Ability to conduct desk research and synthesize findings into concise and actionable knowledge products.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively in multicultural environments.
• Experience working in public health, humanitarian, emergency preparedness, development, or international organizational settings is desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Knowledge of another WHO official language is an asset.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Professionalism
• Knowledge sharing
• Continuous learning

Living conditions

The UN Volunteer will be based in Istanbul and will be responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials. The full entitlements at the duty station: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The Summary of UNV Entitlement

• Current Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA)
• Private insurance by Cigna
• Entry allowance (one-time payment): USD 3500
• Exit allowance: 225 per month (to be paid at the end of the assignment)
• Family allowance based on eligibility and status (per month): USD 250
• Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month
• Free access to different learning platforms and UN & UNV network

Notes:
1) It is important to note that UNV assignments are volunteer assignments, not employment.
2) The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.