REACH WEB/GIS OFFICER – SOUTH SUDAN 87 views0 applications

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 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 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 a REACH Web-GIS Officer to support our REACH team in South Sudan.

Department: REACH

Position: REACH Web-GIS Officer

Contract duration: 6 months

Location: Juba, South Sudan

Starting Date: ASAP

COUNTRY PROFILE

IMPACT, through its own activities, or through REACH, has been implementing programming in South Sudan since 2012. Responding to the Sudan Border Crisis, REACH initially engaged through coordinated information management support – in the form of refugee camp mapping and service provision analyses, thematic assessments, and multi-sectorial needs assessments – in Maban County, Upper Nile State and Pariang County, Unity State. IMPACT was engaged by DFID to provide a series of impact evaluations of their BRACE programming across Greater Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile States in 2013; a programme with run for two years, included 5 total assessments, and touched a total of more than 20,000 households. Immediately following the conflict of December 2013, REACH expanded its programming to include the IDP response, participating in Initial Rapid Needs Assessments of conflict affected areas, providing mapping and monthly service provision analyses for major IDP sites around the country, and running large-scale IDP return intentions assessments.

2018 has seen the expansions of both IMPACT and REACH programming to 10 out of 10 states, spanning the refugee, IDP and development responses, and covering diverse activities such as cross-border port monitoring, assessments of hard to reach areas, flood mapping and vulnerability analysis, market monitoring and supply chain analysis, analysis of tensions and conflicts over access to natural resources, and third party monitoring of humanitarian and development programming.

POSITION PROFILE

REACH is seeking to fill the position of Web-GIS Officer in South Sudan related to the development of coordination platforms, including content management systems and interactive offline maps. There are currently multiple projects being undertaken that involve a good knowledge of web development. This position brings with it the potential for working with in a high tempo team operating in a dynamic context. This position also has the potential to be tasked with supporting mission expansion in neighbouring countries, or short to mid-term surge support for sudden onset disasters globally.

Functions

Under the supervision of the REACH senior GIS officer and country coordinator, and IMPACT HQ in Geneva, the REACH web-GIS officer is responsible for assisting in the development of REACH web projects in country, including conducting maintenance, writing documentation, and conducting handovers. He/she will also be responsible for assisting the GIS team in the production of static maps, as well as creating factsheets for data collection activities.

Summary

The REACH Web-GIS Officer shall be responsible for:

• Assisting/leading on the technical development of web-based data dashboards and GIS applications.
• Assisting the GIS team in the preparation, conception and production of static maps and factsheets.
• Supporting the development of robust information management mechanisms in country.

A. Assisting/leading on the technical development of web-based data dashboards and GIS applications

• The design, development, implementation, maintenance, and support of GIS tools, data dashboards, and web GIS applications, as well as some spatial data analysis.
• Develop, recommend, and implement visual designs for web applications / develop user-friendly designs and experiences based on needs and feedback.
• Research and implement new concepts, strategies, or innovative approaches that have significant impact on user experience.

B. Assisting the GIS team in the preparation, conception and production of static maps and factsheets

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

C. Supporting the development of robust information management mechanisms in country

• Provide technical backstopping to the country team throughout a project’s lifecycle.
• Provides training and problem-solving support of GIS applications.
• Assists on major projects involving the GIS and assessment teams.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working relations

Internally, the GIS Officer will work closely with REACH Assessment staff and where required IMPACT HQ. These relations will also extend to ACTED country staff. Externally, the GIS Officer will be expected to liaise with national and international partners, notably IM focal points in NGOs, UN agencies and clusters.

Accountability to communities and beneficiaries

The staff member is responsible for ensuring that all relations with the communities REACH 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 REACH programme objectives, activities, beneficiary selection criteria, and methodologies. This is the responsibility of every REACH staff member.

REQUIREMENTS

• Good academic qualifications, preferably a master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Computer Science, Geoinformatics, Web Development, Information Technology, etc.)
• 1-3 years of experience of geospatial web development in a professional industry setting
• Portfolio of software projects completed during professional and/or personal time
• Experience with general JavaScript frameworks (React, Redux, Webpack, Babel, ESLint)
• Experience with web mapping specific frameworks (MapboxGL, Turf, TopoJSON)
• Experience with dashboard design software (Tableau, PowerBI)
• Experience with desktop GIS software (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS)
• Familiarity with Linux and command line interfaces (Ubuntu, Debian)
• Familiarity with static site generators and progressive web apps (Gatsby, Next)
• Familiarity with platforms as a service (AWS, Azure, GCP) and CI/CD (Netlify, CircleCI)
• Knowledge of other general-purpose programming languages (Python, R) a plus
• Knowledge of headless CMSs (Netlify CMS, Contentful, Strapi) a plus
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite, particularly Excel, Illustrator and InDesign

Other:

• Excellent team management skills
• Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility
• Familiarity with the aid system, and understanding of donor and governmental requirements
• Prior knowledge of the region an asset
• Fluency in English required
• Ability to work independently

CONDITIONS

• Salary defined by the IMPACT salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
• Additional monthly living allowance
• Free 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