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 Remote Sensing and GIS Officer to support our team in Iraq.

Department: REACH

Position: GIS Officer

Contract duration: 6 months (renewable)

Location: Erbil, Iraq

Starting Date: ASAP

COUNTRY PROFILE

Following years of displacement and conflict, the Iraq context is increasingly transitioning to a post-conflict development phase. While reconstruction and development initiatives are underway – with significant international support – populations in Iraq continue to face problems stemming from widespread infrastructural damage, reduced access to public services, and economic decline. Humanitarian needs also remain; in 2020, it was estimated that at least 4.1 million IDPs and returnees in Iraq were in need of humanitarian assistance, with ongoing climatic shocks continuing to intensify humanitarian needs. In addition, 1.2 million IDPs and 4.8 million returnees face hurdles to durable solutions to their displacement, including security concerns, lack of access to livelihoods, destroyed or damaged housing, and lack of social cohesion.

To support humanitarian decision-making and evidence-based prioritization, since 2012 REACH has been working in coordination with humanitarian clusters as well as with other national and regional coordination mechanisms to address information gaps and implement assessments. More recently, as the context continues to shift, REACH has been supporting development actors to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and efficacy of humanitarian and development interventions, and encourage an equitable and needs-based transition to stabilization and development initiatives. Overall, REACH Iraq has led country-wide multi-sectoral assessments,

informed cash programming across Iraq through monthly Market Monitoring exercises, extended technical support to CCCM and WASH partners, encouraged evidence-based approaches to durable solutions, and conducted thematic assessments and rapid needs assessments in response to contextual changes. More information can be found here.

FUNCTIONS

The Remote Sensing and GIS Officer (GISO) is responsible for the application of geographic information systems and remote sensing in Iraq, including relevant aspects of research design, support in designing data collection tools, ensuring (spatial) data quality, geo-spatial and remote sensing analysis, drafting of maps, and production of web maps and information management systems.

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

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the GISO include the following:

1) RESEARCH PLANNING:

· In coordination with relevant assessment officer(s), support assessment planning in line with project and program objectives and with IMPACT’s research cycle and other relevant guidelines;

· 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;

· In coordination with relevant assessment officer(s), support construction of quantitative sample.

2) REMOTE SENSING RESEARCH IMPLEMENTATION

· Harmonisation of available data through Secondary Desk Review (SDR) in the form of static maps, interactive dashboards or Web Maps;

· Plan and develop satellite-based modelling techniques (e.g. natural hazard susceptibility and early warning) which highlight hazards and risks for the country. Understand, maintain and improve models already present and running, in order to use them upon request;

· Suggest and conduct satellite-based analyses, such as rapid damage assessments, change detections, natural disaster 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;

· Liaise with IMPACT HQ on the procurement of UNOSAT services and satellite imagery.

3) GIS RESEARCH IMPLEMENTATION

· Ensure that collected data is properly geo-referenced, enabling the production of maps and related products;

· In coordination with relevant assessment officer(s), document all changes in data collection that lead to a modification in the agreed TORs, ensuring that the IMPACT CC and IMPACT HQ are informed and agree on the modifications.

4) DRAFTING OF PRODUCTS

· Ensure accurate linkages between spatial databases and assessment data;

· Maintain regular communication with IMPACT HQ on progress and deadlines for GIS products;

· Ensure the drafting of timely and accurate GIS products, which comply with IMPACT’s guidelines

5) EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

· Link with relevant partners to consult and involve them in the GIS components of a research cycle;

· 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;

· Follow up on issues identified by partners or during meetings/working groups;

· Promote an active use of datasets, GIS products and research findings by partners and the broader humanitarian community for their decision making.

6) CAPACITY BUILDING

· In coordination with the Research Manager and GIS Specialist, support the development and implementation of capacity training plans for GIS and other team members, particularly on remote sensing capacities;

· Be available to provide regular support and technical backstopping.

REQUIREMENTS

· Academic: Excellent academic qualifications, preferably including a Master degree related to GIS, Remote Sensing, Data Science, Geography or related disciplines;

· Theoretical knowledge: Should have remote sensing theoretical knowledge on projection, raster resolution, type of satellite images, band combination etc.;

· 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, Orfeo Toolbox, GRASS, Erdas imagine;

· Years of work experience: At least 2 years of relevant working experience;

· Familiarity with aid system: Familiarity with the aid system is an advantage; experience in a humanitarian context an asset;

· Management skills: Proven ability to build assessment capacity of team through training and mentoring

· Communication/reporting skills: Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting;

· Multi-tasking skills: Ability to multitask with tight deadlines, on numerous research cycles;

· Level of independence: Proven ability to work independently;

· Cross-cultural work environment: Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;

· Experience in geographical region: Past experience in the region is desirable;

· Language skills: Fluency in English required, competency in Arabic an asset;

· Security environment: Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment.

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

This vacancy is archived.

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