GIS Specialist

Background

The World Food Programme in Indonesia provides technical support to the Technical Working Group led by the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG)[1], on analysis and monitoring of the food security situation across the country. Since 2015, the Technical Working Group[2] produced quarterly Food Security Monitoring Bulletins (FSMB) on hazard effects on food security, in the specific context of El Niño exacerbated droughts and the weather anomalies. The key objective of bulletins is to provide timely and useful analysis of hazards from a food security and nutrition perspective for decision makers to inform their actions.

Bulletins provide information on the latest weather patterns and make forecasts on possible weather extremes and their impact on food security. This information is largely based on remote sensing data and imagery and requires strong analytical and technical skills to produce useful and meaningful analysis.

Given the increased quality, coverage and availability of satellite imagery to monitor weather and its impacts, enhancing capacity within the Technical Working Group and other relevant Government agencies to analysis natural hazards and their impact on food security and nutrition using this data is increasingly important.

WFP conducted a series of ‘Mapathon’ trainings aimed at strengthening GIS skills and understanding of relevant remote sensing datasets for drought monitoring. Further requests for another training focusing on use of satellite imagery have been expressed by the Government agencies to cover other hazards such as floods and impact on crop production.

WFP is also working on a dashboard to support disaster impact early warning and emergency preparedness. To support the early warning the dashboard will combine data layers covering satellite precipitation data,  and socio-economic data to determine impact associated with particular hazard types. 

Objectives and responsibilities:

The overall objective is to support production of climate impact bulletins and support development of training modules for ‘Mapathons’ in areas related to remote-sensing data acquisition and analysis and also support the early warning initiatives. Specifically, the incumbent will undertake following duties and responsibilities:

1. Collect and manage data required for food security and climate change vulnerability analysis jointly with government agencies and other related partners in order to prepare regular monitoring and early warning publications;
2. Manage data and information, including spatial data for WFP Indonesia in line with corporate standards and provide technical support to partners in government on spatial data management as required;
3. Support the development of food security and vulnerability analysis and the preparation of timely reports on food assessment needs in line with wider VAM policies, processes and guidance to enable effective decision-making on the development of strategies, policies and programmes;
4. Support the processes around development of the early warning dashboard, including testing the code, functionality of the tool and explore new data sources;
5. Develop capacity among government counterparts on general GIS skills, climate change vulnerability and risk analysis;
6. Participate and contribute to joint activities of information management working groups: including government, academia, other UN agencies, donors, and NGOs;
7. Perform other related duties as required.

   Minimum qualifications and experience

   We are looking for a GIS specialist with related technical field, who has:

1. University degree and/or equivalent experience with emphasis in one or more of the following disciplines: GIS, agriculture, geography, social sciences, meteorology, climatology, development studies or a field relevant to international development assistance.
2. At least one year of postgraduate professional experience responsible in GIS, climate, vulnerability analysis or a closely related area, such as food security or early warning.
3. Ability to work closely with Government in a capacity development function.
4. Excellent written and communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English.

   Preferred Technical Skills

5. Experience in working with proprietary or open-source GIS and remote sensing software required.
6. Experience in managing GIS Server tools such as ArcGIS Server and GeoServer
7. Experience in managing distributed geodatabase
8. Experience with ArcGIS Online is preferred
9. Experience working with relational database management systems (Oracle, SQL Server) is required
10. Basic programming skills in Python, ArcPy and SQL
11. Good knowledge on multidimensional past-current-future climate data.
12. Experience in using UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) drone application for disaster emergency and agriculture.

    Only candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to apply. Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

    All applications should include an updated CV, a photograph and three references and should be received no later than 31March 2018.