We are currently looking for a GIS Officer to support our team in Hargeisa.

Department:REACH

Position:GIS Officer

Contract duration: 6 months

Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland

Starting Date: 1 December 2023

COUNTRY PROFILE

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 support to Cluster IM practices. Projects have included tri-cluster assessments in support of the WASH, Shelter and Education Clusters, support to Food Security response analysis, and development of a Shelter Cluster M&E Framework.

REACH Somalia is looking to expand information support to the humanitarian response in several key areas, including IDP settlement profiling and monitoring, multi-cluster needs assessments, durable solutions 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.

FUNCTIONS

Under the line management of the Senior GIS Manager, the GIS Officer is responsible for the application of geographic information systems, including relevant aspects of research design, support in designing data collection tools, ensuring (spatial) data quality, geo-spatial analysis, drafting of maps, and (as relevant) production of web maps and information management systems. Detailed requirements below. The GIS officer will provide technical inputs in all stages of the research cycle. They ensure an efficient and transparent use of resources required for project implementation. The GIS Officer will also be responsible for developing and implementing a continuous capacity building program for national and international team members, and (when relevant) for providing trainings to partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The GIS Officer responsibilities include the following:

Assessment preparation and Planning

• The GIS Officer must ensure planned IMPACT research assessment cycles are meeting / exceeding IMPACT’s research standards, wider academic standards, and overall research ethics in the research methods, data processing and analysis, and GIS practices being used in country.
• Identification of available data to inform secondary data review in coordination with the assessment and data teams, with an aim of actively proposing spatial analysis and/or remote sensing activities that can provide additional information to enrich the assessments.
• For each assessment, ensure contribution to and review of draft ToRs with a specific focus on the analysis plan, as well as data management plan, and related mapping to ensure that all stages of the assessment cycle are planned in line with project and program objectives.
• Support project teams to co-construct qualitative and quantitative data collection tools and mapping tools, ensuring data and GIS requirements of research cycle/assessment are met and all required geo-reference data will be collected to allow for accurate analysis and visualization of findings;
• Develop sampling frames through geo-spatial analysis of assessment areas and subsequently develop statistically representative samples. Related support to operations teams in developing maps and reference guides for daily assessment plans and field movement plans.

Remote Sensing Research Implementation

• Work with global GIS and remote sensing unit to implement, develop, modify/adapt new RS tools, scripts, and approaches to the implementation of remote sensing analysis according to pre-agreed terms of references.
• Ensure proper documentation of methodologies and tool development;
• Analysis of rainfall deficits (and surpluses) throughout the water cycle, compared to several reference years and historical averages.
• Analysis of agriculture and cropping coverage (September – December 2022)
• Incorporation of remote sensing derived analytical outputs (e.g. maps, graphs) in overall project analysis and related deliverables (e.g. reports, presentations)

Research Implementation

• When relevant, support the training of enumerators for primary data collection;
• When relevant, support oversight of data collection, in line with agreed TORs (including their Annexes), including spatial verification and validation as part of daily assessment checks;
• Ensure that collected data is properly geo-referenced, enabling the production of maps and related products;
• Keep track of progress and delays of data, information-management, and GIS tasks throughout the research cycle. Ensure that delays or identified problems are reported by writing and orally in a timely manner.
• 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 Snr GIS Manager and Country CC are informed and agree on the modifications.

Data management, cleaning and analysis

• Ensure that data is revised and cleaned, and that all revisions are recorded;
• Conduct vector & raster-based spatial analysis on collected data, using appropriate tools for each use-case
• Ensure that data and its spatial analysis are validated by IMPACT HQ before product drafting stage;
• Development and maintenance of country-level databases for the consolidation of all assessment-related and GIS data in country;

Drafting of products

• Ensure the drafting of timely and accurate GIS products, which comply with IMPACT’s guidelines;
• Ensure that all GIS products are validated by IMPACT HQ before external release;
• When relevant, in close coordination with IMPACT HQ, support the regular maintenance and update of web GIS products;
• In coordination with the country coordination, liaise with IMPACT HQ on the procurement of UNOSAT services and satellite imagery.

Knowledge sharing and learning processes

• Anticipates knowledge gaps prior the execution of the Research Cycle
• Provides content and contributes to lessons learned exercises

Internal Coordination

• Actively participate in regular team meetings;
• Ensure regular coordination and exchange with relevant colleagues;
• Engage in the development and implementation of IMPACT’s strategy in (country).

Data Confidentiality and Protection

The GIS Officer 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 IMPACT

REQUIREMENTS

• Years of work experience At least 2 years of relevant working experience in a similar position. Experience in humanitarian settings highly desirable.
• Academic background Excellent academic qualifications, preferably including a Master degree in relevant discipline;
• Research skills Demonstrable experience with geo-spatial information management and analysis. Excellent spatial analysis skills.
• Software skills and knowledge of remote sensing tools Advanced knowledge of ArcGIS pro, QGIS. Demonstrated experience using GEE, demonstrated experience with R or python for remote sensing and or geospatial analysis.
• Security environment Experience in high-risk context as well as ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment required.
• Communication/reporting skills Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting;
• Cross-cultural work environment Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;
• Experience in geographical region Past experience in the Horn of Africa region is desirable;
• Language skills Fluency in English required;
• Multi-tasking skills: Ability to multitask with tight deadlines, on numerous research cycles;
• Level of independence: Proven ability to work independently and collaborate with teams across different bases;
• Cross-cultural work environment: Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;

CONDITIONS

• For this position, salary between 2’460 CHF and 2’520 CHF gross per month as well as a monthly living allowance of 300 USD NB – IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary grid depending on the grade of the position and the level of education of staff. A location-dependent security and/or isolation adjustment is then applied as a recognition that some staff are required to work in difficult places where living and working conditions are much more difficult than elsewhere.
• Accommodation and food provided in the guesthouse.
• Enrolment in Swiss private pension fund (Swisslife – approx. 9.975% of staff gross salary), health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance.
• Flight tickets every 6 months & visa fees covered (in-country travel costs and professional expenses are fully covered).
• R&R after 2-3 months (flight ticket up to 500$ + 200$ of living allowance) if duty station allows
• Contribution to the luggage transportation: between 20 and 100 kgs, depending on the length of the contract (+ luggage and personal property insurance)
• Annual leave of 36 days per year. Public holidays of the country of assignment. Family/compassionate leave when applicable.
• Predeparture induction – 3 days at IMPACT Initiatives’s HQ in Geneva + one week pre-departure training in ACTED HQ in Paris, including a 4-days in situ security training;
• IMPACT prioritizes the psychological safety of its staff and the health insurance provided covers, among others, up to 1000 € per year of psychosocial counselling fees.