GIS Specialist

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and  advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) ensures that IFAD's supported projects are set to achieve their maximum impact and serve as a learning opportunity for future ones. Specifically, ODE is responsible for managing, measuring, and facilitating the effectiveness of IFAD operations, including adequately incorporating knowledge into operations. Through the systematic integration of research findings, lessons learned, innovations and best practices into IFAD's project design, implementation, and self-evaluation processes, the effectiveness and impact of IFAD-supported initiatives are enhanced. ODE contributes to three key corporate objectives:

• Enhancing accountability and transparency of operations.
• Driving operational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Supporting the strategic prioritization and allocation of resources.

ODE is led by a Managing Director and is comprised on four units: Operational Policy Unit (OPU); SECAP, Mainstreaming and Quality Assurance Unit (QAS); Results, Resources and Systems Unit (RRS); and Impact Assessment, Knowledge Management, and Innovation Unit (IKI).

The Technical Specialist Geospatial Analysis (P-3) will develop and strengthen policies, procedures, standards and systems for ensuring integration of geospatial data and analysis in country strategies, project design, and implementation stages, focusing on geospatial data management for Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), procurement oversight, and SECAP compliance. The Technical Specialist Geospatial Analysis will also coordinate capacity building initiatives, undertake partnership efforts, and engage with internal and external stakeholders and networks regarding geospatial analysis.

Key performance indicators for the Technical Specialist Geospatial Analysis will include integration of geospatial data into M&E, analytics integration in COSOPs and project design, data consistency and accessibility of centralized geospatial data, training effectiveness, and policy compliance, as well as the success of strategic partnerships. The key results have an impact on the compliance of operations with IFAD rules, regulations and policies, implementation of corporate operational strategies and the monitoring and reporting on achievement of results. Assignments require the provision of solid technical expertise and input for the area of their responsibility, as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts.  The work goes beyond technical analysis and synthesis to include the development of knowledge products, tools and strategies, evaluation of compliance and lessons learnt and best practices. The work is considered complex; requiring in-depth technical knowledge and expertise. The position works independently and with authority, and is accountable for the results of their work.

Work at this level is characterized by client-oriented technical expertise on data management and geospatial analysis. The Technical Specialist (Geospatial Analysis) builds and maintains collaborative working relationships with the Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE), the Department of Country Operations- (DCO), Office of Technical Delivery (OTD) and the Information and Communications Technology Division (ICT) to ensure that standardisation of the use of geospatial analysis and results are used effectively throughout IFAD's project cycle.

Organizational Competencies:

Level 1:

• Strategic thinking and organizational development - The ability to think in terms of processes, value streams and systems; knowing how to lead systems.
• Problem-solving and decision-making - Demonstrates sound problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Communicating and negotiating - Communicates effectively; creates understanding between self and others
• Demonstrating leadership - Personal leadership and attitude to change
• Building relationships and partnerships - Builds and maintains effective working relationships
• Focusing on clients - Focuses on clients
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating - Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge & innovates
• Managing performance and developing staff ¿
• Managing time, resources and information - Manages own time, information and resources effectively
• Team working - Contributes effectively to the team

Education:

• Level - Advanced university degree.
• Areas - Geospatial Sciences, Remote Sensing or a similar field.
• Degree must be from an accredited institution listed on whed.net.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in geospatial coordination, data integration, or GIS-supported M&E, design and implementation in development settings.
• Experience working in the field, in rural areas of developing countries, and using GIS, remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and Earth Observation data in relation to monitoring and evaluation is an advantage.
• Full command of office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), standard GIS/geospatial software (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS) and ability to work with other relevant technology and procedures (e.g. web-based databases and other statistical applications) to collect, organize, share and use information.

Languages:

• Required: English (4 Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic

Skills:

• Geospatial and GIS expertise: Remote Sensing, Earth Observation, QGIS and ArcGIS
• Data management: Data collection, cleaning, transformation and consolidation; database architecture & development; data presentation
• Procedure adherence: Ability to strictly adhere to established, formal guidelines, including in new situations
• Strategy implementation: Ability to lead and manage the development and implementation of medium to longer-term strategies for IFAD / for respective divisions
• Adaptability: Adaptability and flexibility when facing new or unexpected situations, and to specific constraints and circumstances and managing complex processes
• Client orientation: Strong critical thinking combined with communication skills to liaise between the business and technologies to understand business problems and needs, document requirements and identify solutions
• Initiative and good judgment: High sense of proactive initiative-taking and good judgement (including on security matters)
• Specialized communication skills: Ability to negotiate on behalf of IFAD and drive for creative and pragmatic solutions in complex negotiations with key partners, both public and private sector
• Synthesis: Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences
• Written communication: Clear, succinct and convincing written communication in the language needed for specific role; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.)

IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation in line with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and the Policy to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse. 

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org

In accordance with IFADs provisions, all new staff members will normally be placed at the first step in the grade level for which they have been selected. For information on IFADs remuneration package, please visit IFADs compensation and benefits page on our website. Applicants are invited to use the ICSC compensation calculator to estimate the salary and benefit entitlements.  See here. 

Long-listed candidates will be required to participate in a pre-screening interview. Short-listed candidates will be required to participate in a technical and competency-based interview and may be required to take a written test and/or to deliver a presentation.
 

Non-selected candidates who have been shortlisted, interviewed and found suitable in this competitive selection process, may be included in IFAD's appointable roster and considered for future positions in the same job family and grade level, in line with IFAD's applicable provisions. Candidates included in the appointable roster will be notified by IFAD.