Junior Geographical Scientist

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation located in Paris, comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

The Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC/OECD) is an international platform for policy dialogue and analysis, nurturing and promoting sustainable policies and international strategies that evolve to keep pacewith the rapid changes taking place in the region. Created in 1976, it brings together West African organisations, countries and international organisations and is the only international entity entirely dedicated to regional co-operation in Africa. SWAC/OECD facilitates co-ordination, conducts independent and forward-looking analysis, and devises guidelines and policy tools for Members and stakeholders.

SWAC is looking for a Junior Geographical Scientist to contribute to its programmes on Urbanisation and Security. The Urbanisation programme produces maps and analysis using a wide variety of data to detail African urban dynamics and their interactions with the environment in order to identify potential change levers. The Security programme maps the local and regional evolution of violence across the region and analyses interactions between actors.

The main responsibilities of the role will be to contribute to the analytical and statistical work of these programmess and the development of an online interactive data platform. She/he will work under the supervision of the Head of Unit and in close co-operation with the rest of the Unit, notably the Environmental Scientist. 

Main responsibilities

Research and drafting

• Contribute to multidisciplinary analyses related to the interactions between urbanisation and the environment, applying a variety of techniques such as spatial and data modelling as well as qualitative analyses.
• Draft quality data analyses to inform the policy work in the relevant work stream.
• Draft technical and policy documents and other communication products aimed at both technical and non-technical audiences summarising methodologies, results and policy messages.
• Translate research findings into visualisation and mapping tools in order to nourish policy efforts to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDG) targets.

Project management/development

• Continue development of an existing online data visualisation platform (MAPTA) designed to map territorial transformations in Africa and make them more understandable, with regular updating of data and conducting analysis on challenges and evolutions.
• Contribue to provide input for a multi-scalar analysis of fragility determinants by combining environmental and political data to the SCDI (Spatial Conflict Dynamics Indicator).
• Produce and design interactive and spatialised maps/graphs that summarise analyses conducted and are able to succinctly convey relevant messages to a range of audiences.
• Propose visualisation tools to facilitate the understanding of the programme’s analysis and indicators.

• Contribute to building training modules for diverse audiences to facilitate the use of data and spatial indicators.

Networking, co-ordination and liaison

• Strengthen relationships with partners at the regional, national and local decision-making levels.
• Identify and contribute to knowledge exchange and engagement with new actors, institutions and initiatives (including research/academia, local stakeholders, policy institutions). Explore the possibility of peer-learning exchanges (South-South co-operation) notably in relation to sustainable urbanisation.
• Contribute to the preparation of content for workshops and meetings including mapping and data visualisation tools, background documents and presentations.
• Organise and participate in relevant bilateral and multilateral activities in Member and non-Member countries, including representing SWAC/OECD at outside meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars on relevant issues.
• Contribute to outreach activities in collaboration with the communications team and other colleagues from SWAC.  

Ideal Candidate Profile

Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in environmental science, geography, economics, spatial econometrics or in related fields, preferably a PhD.

Professional Background

• A minimum of two years of experience in policy relevant multidisciplinary spatial analyses in the context of developing countries. A broad knowledge of West African context would be a clear advantage.
• Strong knowledge of quantitative analysis and statistics related to urbanisation dynamics with experience in spatial and large scale data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience of tailoring written work to the respective needs of specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Experience working with international organisations and or experience in development issues would be an asset.

Tools

• Excellent command of statistical analysis software (Python, R, etc.), spatial analysis software (QGIS, ArcGIS, etc.) and web development tools for interactive data environments (e.g., Map box, GitHub, REACT, etc.)

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and an excellent knowledge of the other.

Core Competencies

• For this role, the following competencies would be particularly important\: Achievement focus, Analytical and Flexible thinking, Drafting skills, Flexible thinking, Teamwork, Client focus, Diplomatic sensitivity.

• Please refer to the level 3 indicators of the OECD Core Competencies.

Contract Duration

Two-year fixed term appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from 5 020 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
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• Please note, the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates that are nationals of OECD member countries and of West African countries covered by SWAC/OECD (15 ECOWAS member countries and Chad and Mauritania), irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.