National Remote Sensing and GIS Officer

Organization

iMMAP is an international not-for-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides targeted information management support to partners responding to complex humanitarian and development challenges. For more than 15 years, we have promoted measurable change in people’s lives through our core philosophy: better data leads to better decisions and, ultimately, better outcomes. Our data collection, analysis and presentation expertise has revolutionized the decision-making process for our diverse, multi-sectoral partners seeking enhanced coordination and sustainable solutions through information management. iMMAP’s mission is to be the first port of call for Information and Knowledge Management expertise within the humanitarian and development community.

Background

Afghanistan has been in a state of protracted conflict for over 40 years, which has negatively impacted the people of Afghanistan. While the overall level of conflict has now dropped, recent developments and resulting upheaval have exacerbated needs and further complicated an already challenging operational context. It is estimated that 6.5 million Afghans are displaced either internally or outside the country. Internally displaced Afghans are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. In addition, the country suffers from intense and recurring natural hazards of varying length and severity, which threaten lives, livelihoods, and property. For instance, increasingly severe and prolonged droughts significantly impact food security. These pose a significant threat to agriculturally based livelihoods, which are depended upon by 85% of the population, thereby placing hard-won development gains at risk. iMMAP Afghanistan is implementing a BHA-funded project to provide accurate, relevant, and timely information to the humanitarian community for coordination, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and emergency response purposes. This is achieved by improving the quality, availability, and access to information and platforms and strengthening the humanitarian community's IM capacity, thereby supporting their emergency response.

Description of Duties

SCOPE OF WORK

The National Remote Sensing and GIS Officer position in iMMAP Afghanistan will support the implementation of effective and efficient disaster risk analysis and monitoring activities of iMMAP Afghanistan through providing Web GIS and remote sensing analysis as well as participating in the management of the Web GIS platform of iMMAP Afghanistan Known as HSDC (Humanitarian Spatial Data Centre). He/She will work closely with iMMAP’s lead developer, the information systems development team and the information management unit to ensure innovative tools and datasets are incorporated into the HSDC platform. He/She will research, analyze and provide static and near real-time remote sensing data sources to update the ASDC platform and ensure that humanitarian users of the platform have access to near real-time data sets and analysis products, which is a key goal of the iMMAP Afghanistan Program.

The National Remote Sensing and GIS Officer will work under the direct management of the Information System Coordinator to ensure that disaster risk analysis is integrated with socio-demographic data and data on humanitarian needs to make iMMAP analysis products impactful for users in Afghanistan.

iMMAP Afghanistan also plans to integrate iMMAP ReportHub platform data into the HSDC platform for data visualization. The National Remote Sensing and GIS Officer will play a key role in this process by collaborating internally with the information management unit and the information systems development team to ensure that ReportHub datasets can be visualized in HSDC using the best data quality assurance processes and tools.

Additionally, the National Remote Sensing and GIS Officer will support other disaster risk analysis programs across iMMAP Afghanistan, ensuring that iMMAP maintains strong visibility in key DRR-related analysis and assessment working groups. He/she will also support the preparation and delivery of insightful presentations and training initiatives on current and projected hazards and risk analysis to inform humanitarian partners in various coordination groups in Afghanistan.

REPORTING LINE

The National Remote Sensing and GIS Officer will work under the direct management of the Information Systems Coordinator and the indirect technical supervision of the Technical Advisor. He/She will work in close consultation with other members of the iMMAP Afghanistan Team.

Description of Duties

The National Remote Sensing and GIS Officer will:

• Collaborate with the lead developer to ensure the availability of updated geospatial datasets and near-real-time analysis information on different hazard and risk exposures in Afghanistan, such as floods, droughts, avalanches, and earthquakes.
• Maintain the HSDC spatial database and web map server and update as required.
• Provide technical support for GIS and remote sensing analysis product development.
• Provide direct GIS/remote support to iMMAP partners, including humanitarian clusters, cluster lead agencies, cluster members, sub-clusters and working groups when needed.
• Develop and deliver training initiatives to humanitarian partners on the HSDC platform and natural hazard risk mapping.
• Coordinate with various stakeholders on integrating datasets (including ReportHub datasets) to upgrade the HSDC platform to provide adequate information to support and enhance response planning efforts.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the information systems coordinator and the lead developer.

 Specific Cluster/Working Group Support

• Collaborate with IM and GIS colleagues to develop Risk and Hazard maps and ensure data quality for all DRR analyses.
• Create and develop customized remote sensing analysis reports and map layers requested by clusters, working groups or BHA Implementing Partners.
• Work with the iMMAP Afghanistan team to ensure that all support requirements of iMMAP, BHA, OCHA and other organizations are met promptly and efficiently.
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Requirements

REQUIRED

·        1+ years of professional experience in Remote Sensing and GIS.

·        4 years of experience in NGO, community engagement, coordination or training.

·        A university degree in remote sensing, GIS, geospatial analysis, computer science, information management, or other related thematic areas.

·        Experience with Python and SQL.

DESIRED SKILLS:

·        Knowledge of geospatial methods and tools for gathering information for disasters such as floods, drought, earthquakes, landslides, etc.

·        Knowledge of ESRI and/or QGIS.

·        Experience with Geonode, PostGIS, GeoServer, or other WebGIS frameworks or spatial databases.

·        Google Earth Engine for remote sensing analysis.

·        Experience maintaining relational databases using SQL.

·        Experience developing automated geospatial data pipelines using Python.

·        Experience developing and delivering capacity development activities is highly desirable.

Guiding Principles

Personnel are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and iMMAP’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all Countries.

iMMAP has zero tolerance for sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, human trafficking, child abuse and exploitation. Any violations of these principles and policies will be treated as serious misconduct.

iMMAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer, regardless of background.