International GIS Specialist

Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of FAO's global mandate and Strategic Objectives.  More specifically, FAO's response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies.  The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management.  FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries. 

Reporting Lines

The position is under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Somalia, the direction of SWALIM Technical Advisor and the direct supervision of the Head of SWALIM's Geospatial Unit.

Technical Focus 

The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation, and administration of geographic information systems, for developing scripts to be used in analysis of geospatial datasets in cloud-based platforms, generating geospatial information on land and water sources, including change detection and environmental monitoring activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of SWALIM Technical Advisor and the direct supervision of the Head of SWALIM Geospatial Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the implementation of GIS applications, Remote Sensing Analysis and Mapping Support under the Information Management theme.  

Specifically, the incumbent will:

•    Act as deputy of the Head of Geospatial Unit, supporting with team coordination to undertake geospatial analysis for all SWALIM activities and surveys, including but not limited to hydrogeology survey, water sources assessment, hydrological modelling, surface runoff analysis, charcoal monitoring, assessment of impacts of river embankment status on flooding extents. 
•    Consolidate, enhance, and apply SWALIM GIS standards procedures and guidelines for efficient data entry, storage, retrieval, and backup.  Manage the SWALIM GIS warehouse, Geodatabase and control the quality of all data uploaded to the warehouse according to FAO’s DDN corporate geo-standards on data and other GIS data processing standards agreed upon. Enhance SWALIM GIS relational structure including those of related time series tabular data and other textural data.
•    Compile and report results of geo-spatial analysis and ensure material including scripts (GEE, Python, etc) repository is archived and up to date. 
•    Ensure the documentation of all GIS and RS analytical processes is regularly reviewed and up to date.
•    Ensure that cartographic templates and spatial dashboards for publishing spatial products are developed and adhere to SWALIM standards and guidelines. 
•    Develop training materials for GIS, remote sensing, data analysis, and visualization, and deliver workshops / training events for staff, partners, and IMC Centres in Garowe and Hargeisa. 
•    Ensure that GIS curriculum and GIS/RS training material for all SWALIM’s geospatial services, including but not limited to ArcGIS, dynamic atlas, GPS, map reading, Google Earth, Google Earth Engine, QGIS, is updated. 
•    Manage SWALIM Geonode by: - maintaining metadata for all records; - preparing, checking, and uploading GIS datasets; - monitoring traffic to analyse service performance and identify areas for improvement. Create awareness of SWALIM Geonode service amongst all FAO sectors and partners.
•    Perform SWALIM GIS/RS systems review bi-annually and make recommendations on systems upgrades to ensure optimal GIS system performance. 
•    Promote internal GIS innovations using open-source tools and mainstreaming into SWALIM GIS processes.
•    Support FAO Somalia Units/Sectors and IMC Centres in Garowe and Hargeisa in the development and implementation of spatial geo-processing models and tools.
•    Support SWALIM staff, liaison office and line ministry staff in their GIS data requirements, control the quality of the GIS products they produce and provide feedback as necessary as well as spatial analysis and presentation of land and water related data in a GIS context. 
•    Improve GIS facilities at the liaison offices by ensuring operation standards, procedures, workflows, and guidelines are in place and followed. Verify software and related plug-ins are available, installed, updated. Verify relevant datasets are available and updated.
•    Support institution of higher learning collaborating with SWALIM develop GIS data generation, processing and analysis skills and incorporate GIS and other geo-spatial technology in their courses. 
•    Support developing strategic partnerships and promote SWALIM visibility. 
•    Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Geospatial Head of Unit and the Technical Adviser

Minimum Requirements

•    University Degree in one of the following areas: Remote Sensing, Cartography, Geographic Information System and Database Management, Surveying and Mapping, Environmental Planning, or any other intensive training / post graduate course on above-mentioned related fields.
•    At least 4 years of relevant experience in GIS application development and geospatial data analysis.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian for COF.REG. Working knowledge of English (level C) for PSA.SBS. 

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Demonstrated ability in the implementation, and administration of geographic information systems.
•    Demonstrated ability to use image interpretation software and GIS/RS packages (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) 
•    Knowledge and skills: at least 4 year of work experience in remote sensed data interpretation. Knowledge of Environmental Science would be an advantage. 
•    Experience with cloud-based geospatial platforms, especially Google Earth Engine.
•    Experience with GeoNode, PostGIS, GeoServer, REST API, Javascript, Python, and R. 
•    Good knowledge of the UN work system and ability to work under minimum supervision and effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Selection Criteria 

•    Relevance and level of academic qualifications.
•    Knowledge and competence in the subject matter. 
•    Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing in English.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ 
• For more information, visit the FAO employment website
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help, or have queries, please contact: [email protected]

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