REACH GIS Officer

Position:                            REACH GIS Officer

Department                      Projects

Contract duration:          6 months (renewable based on fund)

Location:                           Deir Albalah

Starting Date                    ASAP

I-Background on ACTED

ACTED is an international NGO registered in France. ACTED’s vocation is to support vulnerable populations affected by wars, natural disasters and/or economic and social crises, and to accompany them in building a better future. ACTED started its activities in the occupied Palestinian territory in May 2007, through food security interventions in the West Bank and then in Gaza. ACTED is currently implementing projects funded among others by ECHO, OCHA, EU Member States and EuropeAid, which aim to protect vulnerable households in the West Bank and Gaza and to strengthen civil society actors across the occupied Palestinian territory.

About REACH

REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two International NGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations 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. 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. IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation manages several initiatives, including the REACH Initiative. The IMPACT team comprises specialists in data collection, management and analysis and GIS. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO whose headquarter is based in Paris and is present in thirty countries. The two organisations have a strong complementarity formalised in a global partnership, enabling IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support in its fields of intervention.

II-Country Profile

REACH  is seeking a candidate with a strong technical background, who has previous experience of working in the GIS/Cartography/Remote Sensing sphere. More specifically, the candidate should have experience with analysis of satellite imagery with different spatial and spectral resolution. 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.

 The GISO is responsible for conducting geospatial analysis and mapping to support rapid humanitarian needs assessments and research products for Gaza. The GISO will be responsible for the application of geographic information systems in oPt, including relevant aspects of research design, support in designing data collection tools, ensuring (spatial) data quality, geo-spatial analysis, drafting of maps, and production of web maps and information management systems. In coordination with the relevant Managers and Specialists, the GISO is required to support assessment planning in line with project and program objectives and with IMPACTs research cycle and other relevant guidelines.

III-Responsibilities

The GIS Officer’s responsibilities include:

RESEARCH PLANNING

• Contribute to draft assessment ToRs with a specific focus on the analysis plan, and related mapping, as well as data management plan;
• Develop geo-spatial analysis of assessment areas to be used in developing daily assessment plans, field movement plans and accompanying operational maps for field teams.

GIS IMPLEMENTATION

• Plan and develop satellite-based modelling techniques (e.g. natural hazard susceptibility) which highlight hazards and risks for the country, using Google Earth Engine, Python, or/and R for example.
• Suggest and conduct satellite-based analyses, such as rapid damage assessments, change detections, natural hazard impact mapping, and time series. Such activities will be based on a variety of different sensors including multispectral optical sensors, SAR sensors and very high resolution optical sensors.
• Ensure that collected data is geo-referenced, enabling the production of maps and related products;

DATA MANAGEMENT, CLEANING, AND ANALYSIS

• Conduct spatial analysis on collected data as per ToRs;
• Ensure the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality and protection of collected information;
• Development and maintenance of country-level databases for the consolidation of all assessment- related and GIS data in country.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

• Ensure accurate linkages between spatial databases and assessment data;
• Ensure the drafting of timely and accurate GIS products, which comply with IMPACT’s guidelines.

EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

• Represent IMPACT in relevant meetings/working groups and support the presentation of research findings through GIS inputs to relevant third parties in order to enhance their use and impact.

The GIS Officer will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes. They 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.

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V- Qualifications:

• Years of work experience At least 2 years of relevant working experience, preferably in humanitarian field;
• Research skills Advanced experience with geo-spatial information management and analysis, and excellent spatial analysis skills;
• Software skills Advanced knowledge of ESRI suite software (ArcPro, ArcMap, ArcGIS Online); good knowledge of Google Earth Engine; 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 Good knowledge of tools such as ESA SNAP, GRASS;
• Communication/reporting skills Excellent verbal and written communication and drafting skills for effective reporting required;
• Academic qualifications Excellent academic qualifications, including a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g. international studies, development, humanitarian response, data science, political science, etc.);
• Security environment Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment.
• Experience in geographical region Past experience in the region is desirable;
• Language skills Fluency in English required.

V-Submission of applications

Interested candidates are invited to apply by clicking on the below link later than September 25th, 2024 to: 

REACH GIS Officer

The selection committee will review all applications as they are received. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. No telephone inquiries will be received.

“Due to the emergency situation and the need for the position , this job might be filled before the end of the vacancy announcement”