Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development
Position Title: REACH GIS & Remote Sensing Specialist
Department: REACH
Country- Kenya
Duration: Fixed
Location: Nairobi
Expected Start Date: Nov 2023
Background on IMPACT and REACH
REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two International NGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH’s purpose is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that enhance the humanitarian community’s decision-making and planning capacity for emergency, reconstruction and development contexts, supporting and working within the framework of the humanitarian reform process. REACH facilitates information management for aid actors through three complementary services: (a) need and situation assessments facilitated by REACH teams; (b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; (c) provision of related database and (web)-mapping facilities and expertise.
Context / Country
REACH has been operational in Somalia since 2012, providing information management support to humanitarian actors in a complex environment through assessment capacity, GIS services, and multi-sectoral needs assessments across the country, including hard-to-reach areas. REACH Somalia is looking to continue and strengthen its information support to the humanitarian response in several key areas, including IDP settlement profiling, multi-cluster needs assessment, and improved remote data collection. Key strategic aims are to increase geographic and sectoral coverage and to enhance advocacy capacity through strengthened data collection and information targeting.
Kenya is a country characterised by fragile ecosystems, drought-prone climate conditions, poor infrastructure, instability, and historical marginalization that together pose a major development challenge for the country. In addition to this, Kenya hosts a large asylum-seeking and refugee population largely due to the country’s location in a conflict-prone area. REACH has been working in Kenya since 2016 providing information on the needs and intentions of refugees and vulnerable populations.
Assignment
REACH is seeking a candidate with a strong technical background, who has previous experience working in GIS and Remote Sensing. More specifically, the candidate should have experience with analysis of satellite imagery with different spatial and spectral resolutions for the purposes of environmental monitoring, particularly the assessment of shocks (flood, drought) and environmental degradation. The candidate should understand concepts of cartographic design and be experienced in presentation of the results of spatial analysis using static and interactive mapping products. Ideally the successful candidate will also be familiar with the collection and processing of socio-economic data.
Functions
The REACH GIS and Remote sensing specialist’s responsibilities include the following:
Research Planning
- In coordination with relevant assessment and Data officer(s), support construction of quantitative sample; Keep track of progress and delays of all assigned tasks throughout the research cycle. Ensure that delays or identified problems are reported by writing and orally in a timely manner.
- Contribute towards the identification and implementation of effective and adapted data management and analysis solutions for REACH research in Somalia and Kenya, in line with REACH’s relevant research and data guidelines.
- Support as designated by line manager sampling design, creation, and management of data collection tools (ODK or KoBo), training on data cleaning and management techniques, support for data analysis set up (specifically conducted in the R environment).
- Contribute to draft research ToRs with a specific focus on GIS, remote sensing, sampling, data collection tools, the data analysis plan, as well as data management plan.
- Support the development of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, ensuring requirements of research cycle/assessment are met.
Remote sensing Research Implementation
- When relevant, support the identification and training of enumerators for primary data collection.
- When relevant, support oversight of data collection, in line with agreed TORs (including their Annexes), including data cleaning processes, checks and data cleaning scripts.
- In coordination with relevant assessment officer(s), document all changes in data collection that lead to a modification in the agreed TORs, ensuring that the relevant management are informed and agree on the modifications.
Data Management, Cleaning and Analysis
- Monitor accuracy of data collected in line with IMPACT’s Data Cleaning Minimum Standards Checklist.
- Cross check data collected in the field, ensure regular updates, and solve eventual discrepancies.
- Maintain, update, and expand R-based systems of data management and analysis for data dissemination and reporting.
- Support statistical analysis and quantitative reporting on assessments.
Remote sensing and GIS – Strategy and Technical Backstopping
- It will be the responsibility of the incumbent to write and
deliver a high-level technical strategy for data and GIS which must
include:
- Capacity building plan for existing GIS and database officers
- GIS/data innovative processes/approaches
- Map and analyze secondary data in coordination with the assessment officer(s);
- Contribute to draft assessment ToRs with a specific focus on the analysis plan, and related mapping, as well as data management plan.
- Support the development of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, ensuring GIS requirements of research cycle/assessment are met.
- Anticipate knowledge gaps prior to the execution of a Research Cycle.
- In coordination with relevant assessment officer(s), support construction of quantitative sample.
- Capacity building
- In coordination with line manager, conduct induction for new staff members, including training in basic technical data processing and analysis competencies.
- Support the REACH GIS Manager in the development and implementation of capacity training plans for data and other team members within the Horn of Africa.
- Be available to provide regular support and technical backstopping to all teams and units within the country office.
GIS RESEARCH IMPLEMENTATION
- Evaluate opportunities for additional geospatial analysis within existing research cycles.
- Perform spatial analysis to understand if there are patterns beyond conventional levels of aggregation / strata, below administrative levels or with new strata entirely (i.e., livelihood zones, environmental features, etc.)
- Responsible for analysis which contributes to products related to hazard/environmental monitoring (flood, drought, wind, landslides, etc).
External representation
- Promote an active use of datasets and research findings by partners and the broader humanitarian community for their decision making.
- After validation by line manager, present research findings to relevant third parties in orders to enhance their use and impact.
- Ensure that all partner engagement and all external relations are clearly documented and communicated with the line manager and relevant colleagues
- More generally, contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of IMPACT’s mandate, ethics values and standpoint regarding the actors.
Data Confidentiality and Protection
The GIS and Remote sensing specialist will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes, ensuring full compliance with IMPACT’s data protection policy and SOPs. He/she will actively take measures to prevent the unauthorized sharing of any information and data belonging to IMPACT and its partners or collected during his/her assignment with REACH.
Protection Mainstreaming> Promoting of and adhering to Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy and guidelines
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION
- Academic: Excellent academic qualifications, preferably including a master’s degree related to GIS, Remote Sensing, Data Science, Geography or Environmental disciplines.
- Theoretical knowledge: Sound foundational knowledge of remote sensing, including theory, principles, practice, and application. Expands and maintains knowledge in the field through literature.
- Research skills: Advanced experience with remote sensing analysis, and excellent spatial analysis skills.
- Software skills: Advanced knowledge of Google Earth Engine; advanced knowledge of GIS software (ArcPro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS); advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel; knowledge of R, STATA, Python, or equivalent statistical software an advantage; knowledge of Adobe Suite, particularly InDesign and Illustrator an asset.
- Knowledge of remote sensing tools: Demonstrated experience using GEE, demonstrated experience with R or python for remote sensing and or geospatial analysis.
- Years of work experience: At least 4 years of relevant working experience.
- Familiarity with aid system: Experience in a complex humanitarian emergency is not required but is an asset.
- Communication/reporting skills: Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting.
- Multi-tasking skills: Ability to multitask with tight deadlines, on numerous research cycles.
- Level of independence: Proven ability to work independently.
- Cross-cultural work environment: Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility.
- Experience in geographical region: Experience in the region is desirable.
- Language skills: Fluency in English required, competency in another language an asset, particularly French or Spanish.
- Security environment: Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment.
How to apply
Qualified Kenyan Nationals with the required skills are invited to submit their applications by 17/10/2023, 05:00PM to kenya.jobs@acted.org with the subject line: Application for REACH GIS Specialist. Accompanied with:
- Curriculum Vitae (Maximum 03 Pages)
- Cover Letter (Maximum 01 Page)
Cover Letter and CV must be shared as a single PDF document i.e with the Cover Letter being on the first page and CV starting on the next page, detailing 03 work referees and their day time contacts. Please do not attach any other documents while sending your application. If required they will be requested at a later stage.
Applications failing to respect the criteria above will not be considered.
Please note:
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Review of Applications and Shortlisting will be done on rolling basis and ACTED reserves the right to hire before the deadline.
- ACTED will at no stage of recruitment process request candidate to make payments of any kind. Further, ACTED has not retained any agent(s) in connection with recruitment.
ACTED is committed to protecting beneficiaries within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and any kind of misconduct. ACTED has specific policies, including PSEA and Child Protection, which outlines the expected behavior and the responsibility of all staff, beneficiaries, consultants and other stakeholders and has zero tolerance towards misconducts. Any candidate offered a job with ACTED will be expected to sign ACTED’s organizational Policies and Code of Conduct as an annex to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.
*ACTED is an Equal Opportunity Employer.*