CLIMATE & DRR GIS OFFICER (RE-ANNOUNCEMENT)

Information

Common information

Background:

Acted is an independent, international organization headquartered in Paris, France. Founded in Afghanistan in 1993, Acted now supports 20 million people across 43 countries worldwide in pursuit of its triple mandate as a humanitarian, environmental and development actor in response to the triple planetary crisis.

Acted has been operating continuously in Central Asia since 1996, working to address the region’s main challenges and, as a result, has long standing partnerships with communities, government agencies, and development partners. In line with Acted's global "3Zero" Strategy: Zero Exclusion, Zero Poverty, Zero Carbon, Acted works across a broad range of sectors to foster inclusive and sustainable development, including Natural Resource Management (NRM), Climate Change Adaption (CCA) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) through its STREAM approach.

Project Overview:

Acted, with the support of IMPACT Initiatives, is currently implementing a 2-year European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) project to support the improving the capacity, coordination, efficiency, and sustainability of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in the Fergana Valley. This project aims to conduct detailed data collection and analysis using Geographic Information System (GIS) of climate change, natural hazards (including mudflows, flooding, landslides and drought) and population vulnerabilities in districts of Fergana Valley as part of a larger effort to improve evidence-based decision making by local DRM stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries. This project is part of Acted and IMPACT’s larger STREAM program, a multi-donor program aimed at improving natural resource management in the Fergana Valley using evidence-based approaches, currently funded by USAID and PATRIP.

Assignment:

Acted is seeking a committed and motivated development professional in Bishkek or Osh for the position of Climate & DRR GIS Officer. This role will involve providing technical support on the assessment in close collaboration with IMPACT project focal point, Acted. The Climate & DRR GIS Officer will be able to conduct detailed GIS analysis to conduct Area-Based Risk Assessments (ABRAs) using geospatial analysis methods. This will require an understanding of global risk assessment best practices, where risk is a factor of hazard prevalence, population exposure and vulnerabilities. Different Remote Sensing analysis programs, including Flow-R, SWAT, MODSNOW, and Arc GIS and QGIS will be used for analysis. The Climate & DRR GIS Officer will evaluate areas where different hazards, such as mudflows, flooding, earthquakes, and landslides, are likely to affect vulnerable populations and prioritize communities for support and pre-positioning of resources to ensure a more effective DRCU response in the event of a disaster.

Under the supervision of the IMPACT Climate & DRR GIS Manager, the incumbent is responsible for supporting the development of geo-database, geospatial analysis and map production for Acted, IMPACT, the DRCU, and MoES.

Qualification requirements

• Fluency in Russian is required, Working proficiency in English, and knowledge of the Kyrgyz language is an asset
• University degree or equivalent professional experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Cartography, Geodesy, Geography, Geomatics, Remote Sensing, Computer Science, Information Systems, or any relevant discipline;
• 2 or more years of experience in GIS or information management field, preferably in climate or water resource context is an asset;
• Academic experience including research in any field using GIS technologies is an asset;
• Good organizational, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Flexibility and adaptability to ever-changing needs and responsibilities;
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, ability to work independently;
• Experience in international team is an asset;
• Ability to learn new concepts/build technical skills quickly.
• Essential minimum technical qualifications:

1. Experience with ArcGIS Desktop, QGIS or ArcGIS Pro;
2. Understanding of basic cartography concepts and data management procedures;

• Desirable technical qualifications:

1. Data processing and analysis experience using Excel / R / Python (pandas) / Tableau;
2. Web-mapping experience a bonus (ArcGIS Online, Mapbox, CARTO, Map Server, Leaflet, Open Layers or any other relevant technology).
3. Experience with Remote Sensing technologies and software (Google Earth Engine, ERDAS, ENVI);
4. Familiarity with Hydrological Modeling programs like SWAT, SWAT+, Flow-R, Flo-2D, E-line or MODSNOW is an asset.
5. Cartographic design skills and experience.

Duties

1. Mapping Production

• The IMPACT Climate & DRR GIS Officer will have overall responsibility for all geospatial analysis and map production activities in Kyrgyzstan and wider Central Asia Region.
• He/she will ensure the capitalization of tools and procedure related to mapping and spatial databases. Furthermore, he/she will support any assessment and field teams in the collection and management of spatial datasets, verification and visualization of the collected data.
• Ensure accurate linkages between spatial databases and assessment data;
• Maintain regular communication with review teams for validation of GIS products;
• Ensure the drafting of timely and accurate GIS products, which comply with set guidelines

2. GIS and Remote Sensing Activities

• The IMPACT Climate & DRR GIS Officer will support the Assessment team in all activities which require GIS Analysis.
• He/she will be responsible for the visualization of the analysis results in the form of paper or / and interactive map products.
• Harmonization of available data through Secondary Desk Review (SDR) in the form of static maps, interactive dashboards or Web Maps;
• Plan and develop satellite-based modelling techniques (e.g. natural hazard exposure and susceptibility) which highlight hazards and risks for the country.
• Ability to perform remote sensing analysis an asset with a focus on climate change impacts, water availability, food production yields and land use patterns.
• Ability to conduct flood and mudflow modeling using meteorological, water discharge, and remote sensing datasets for selected water networks.
• Liaise with staff responsible for procurement of UNOSAT services and satellite imagery.

Conditions

All interested candidates are required to submit CV and Cover Letter in English explaining their motivation to apply to Acted with the subject line “CLIMATE & DRR GIS OFFICER” and three references to the following email: kyrgyzstan.jobs@acted.org. The deadline for application is 23:59 p.m., September 29, 2024.

Acted is an equal opportunities employer. Female and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.  

Acted offers a competitive remuneration and benefits package, including comprehensive medical insurance, and opportunities for regional and international travel, training and promotion.