GIS Officer in Niger 64 views0 applications

GIS Officer in Niger

(Reference: 20/NER/GISO01)

Background on Impact and 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 organization 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 organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, enabling IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support on its fields of intervention.

We are currently looking for an REACH GIS Officer to support our IMPACT team in Niger.

Department: REACH – multi-sectoral assessment unit

Position: REACH GIS Officer

Contract duration: 6 months

Location: Niamey, Niger

Starting Date: ASAP

Country profile

REACH has been present in Niger since 2012, where it has contributed to humanitarian coordination and strategic planning through the mapping of socio-economic infrastructure, sectoral, and multi-sectoral assessments, particularly in the Diffa region. Moreover, REACH provides information management support to a wide range of humanitarian actors in Niger in the form of mapping, trainings and targeted advice. REACH works closely together with humanitarian coordination structures and is co-chair of the UNOCHA-led Information Management Working Group, and provides support to information management for the Rapid Response Mechanism in the country.

Position Profile

IMPACT is seeking a versatile candidate, who has considerable experience analysing complex datasets and in conception and production of GIS products, including maps and factsheets. Not only will the GIS officer provide technical analysis support across IMPACT research cycles, he/she will also engage with external humanitarian actors in case of requests for analysis or mapping support. The GIS Officer’s tasks will require a high level of autonomy and ability to communicate effectively.

Functions

Under the supervision of the Multi-sectoral Research Manager, the GIS officer is supporting the development and implementation of GIS and database management for multi-sectoral assessments in Niger, and support to the missions of Mali and Burkina Faso.

In his/her mission, the GIS officer will be hosted by ACTED and will fall under the direct responsibility and management of ACTED’s Country Director and his/her delegates for all Administrative, Security, Logistics and Finance issues. S/he will therefore fully abide to ACTED’s Security, HR, Administration and Logistics rules and regulations.

The GIS officer will work closely with IMPACT HQ to ensure outputs are meeting minimum research standards as per guidance and data protection protocols. These relations will also extend to ACTED country staff including Project Development, AMEU and Area Coordinators.

Externally, the GIS officer will be expected to liaise with OCHA, the cluster IM and coordinators, national and international partners, notably IM focal points in NGOs, UN agencies and clusters.

RESPONSIBILITIES

In coordination with the Sahel REACH Manager, GIS Officer will be responsible for:

1. GIS Activities

a. Preparation, conception and production of maps

• Identify map information needs;
• Identify and access map information sources;
• Ensure accurate linkages between spatial databases and assessment data,
• Ensures that the produced maps meet the requirements of REACH and concerned partners.

b. Supervision and monitoring of mapping related data collection

• Conceptualize methodologies for collecting data in the field, as according to need
• Organize and supervise GIS field missions
• Monitor accuracy of data collected.
• Cross check data collected in the field, ensure regular updates and solve eventual discrepancies;

c. Project development support

• Co-developing GIS components in proposals and supervising the implementation of these GIS components in approved projects;

d. GIS Staff Management

• Supervising the activities of subordinate GIS staff, including GIS assistants and interns;

2. Database/Data Management and Analysis Activities

The GIS Officer will manage the maintenance of database(s) for the consolidation of multisectoral assessment-related and GIS data in country. He/she will ensure the capitalization of tools and procedures related to mapping and databases. Furthermore, he/she will support the assessment team in the collection and management of spatial datasets, verification and update of the collected data. He/she will monitor the accuracy of collected data. In addition, he/she will develop scripts to increase the efficiency of data management, analysis and visualisation.

3. Technical Support

The GIS Officer will contribute towards the identification and implementation of effective and adapted technical solutions and partnerships. The GIS Officer will provide technical backstopping to the GIS/DB team and provide capacity-building to the GIS/DB team related to database maintenance and advanced GIS techniques. He/she will also support the collection of spatial datasets and integration with REACH activities.

4. External Relations

The GIS Officer will respond to information requests from REACH and its partners. In order to support the development of joint database tools and processes with REACH partners in country, the GIS Officer will maintain regular interactions and reporting with key IM partners including cluster lead agencies, UN agencies, NGOs and technical partners. He/she will respond to information requests from REACH partners in country related to data and mapping as well as solicit information from partner organizations to be incorporated into databases.

5. Internal Communication Processes

The REACH GIS/DB will liaise with IMPACT in Geneva to guarantee a quality product that suits the needs of the field office. He/she will respond to information requests from IMPACT Initiatives and keep Geneva informed of the MIS activities in the field.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO COMMUNITIES AND BENEFICIARIES

The staff member is responsible for ensuring that all relations with the communities IMPACT and partners work are conducted in a respectful and consultative manner. Due attention must be paid to ensuring that communities are adequately consulted and informed about IMPACT programme objectives, activities, beneficiary selection criteria, and methodologies. This is the responsibility of every IMPACT staff member.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

The staff member will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes. 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

• Master degree in Geography/GIS or a related discipline;
• 2 years of experience in GIS / Database management, preferably in a humanitarian context;
• Previous experience with mobile data collection (ODK, ONA, KOBO);
• Knowledge of analytical software packages (R, SPSS, Stata, Tableau, etc.);
• Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and InDesign;
• Knowledge of JavaScript and related libraries (D3, Leaflet) for the development of interactive webmaps and dashboards;
• Good team management skills;
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent communication skills for internal and external coordination
• Fluency in French required, fluency in English an asset;
• Familiarity with the aid system, and understanding of donor and governmental requirements an asset;
• Prior knowledge of the region an asset;
• Good organizational and communication skills with international and national staff.

Conditions

• Salary defined by the IMPACT salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
• Additional monthly living allowance provided in country by IMPACT’s partner ACTED
• Food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)
• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
• Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package