Image Interpreter SC6

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 four hundred 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 assist SWALIM Geospatial unit in the implementation of geographic information systems, generating geospatial information on land and water sources, including change detection and environmental monitoring activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Officer in Charge for Somalia, the direction of the SWALIM Technical Advisor, and   the direct supervision of   the Geospatial Information Technical Advisor, the incumbent will be responsible for interpreting satellite images to generate evidence-based information and multi-temporal analysis of land cover features. Specifically, he/she will:

•    Image interpretation: Download and interpret satellite images using appropriate tools and methods to generate information for studied areas on e.g., status of canals before and after rehabilitation, monitoring impact of rehabilitation of canals on crop growing, monitoring status of embankments of Shabelle and Juba Rivers, interpretation of Land Use and Land cover, Land degradation, Flood monitoring and Charcoal production monitoring. Develop GIS datasets for land degradation and drought monitoring systems and ensure they comply with international standards for projections, attribute completeness, field definitions, meta-data, and map layouts.

•    Irrigation and livestock infrastructure monitoring: using aerial photography data, prepare maps to help NGOs in identifying the roads, canals and surface water storage infrastructure rehabilitated by their organizations, prepare the database for the same including cleaning of photographs and their linking to the infrastructure.

•    Map use, reading and production: Prepare needed maps layout and assist NGOs in understanding and interpreting maps, sketch the infrastructure and capturing the GPS points in the field together with photos and their geo-referencing. Produce final maps showing information from the field and share with NGOs. Analyse satellite images with different spatial/temporal resolution and digitize land cover features trough GIS software, for maps production.

•    Field data verification: receive all data in soft and hard copies from NGOs and enter them into the system, verify and clean the data for use in GIS. As per information received from the emergency and cash-based initiative units, confirm status of roads, canal, surface water storage infrastructure and report to the units accordingly. Prepare reports on all Cash for Work activities and handed over to the necessary unit.

•    Image pre-processing: Assist the technical team in developing and implementing a system for storing, retrieving, and pre-processing satellite images for use in agricultural mapping and impact/monitoring analysis. 

•    Photo interpretation key and coding scheme: in close consultation with the monitoring technical team and SWALIM technical staff, create standard FAO legends describing land cover features to be mapped, generate photo-interpretation keys, and define appropriate coding system for efficient identification of land cover/environmental features and storage of data.

•    GIS and Remote Sensing data management:  review and manage (clean, aggregate, file, report, update, backup, etc.)  all resulting GIS and related information in line with SWALIM GIS metadata standards and following all GIS data processing standards agreed upon.

•    Data analysis and presentation: aggregate, process and analyse generated data and compile maps and technical presentation as required by SWALIM.

•    Training of application of GIS and Remote Sensing: Train Local and International NGO’s, Somali Universities and UN agencies working in Somalia on applications of GIS and Remote Sensing.

•    Reporting: Assist in producing final reports of the studied areas including the methodologies (processing, analysis, reporting), key results (canal rehabilitated, cropped area statistics, Charcoal monitoring, Land degradation), conclusions and recommendations for future analysis.

•    Other:  undertake any other related tasks as required.

Minimum Requirements  
  
•    University Degree/Diploma in one of the following areas: Remote Sensing, Cartography, Geographic Information System and Database Management, Mapping of Natural Resources, or any other intensive training/ post graduate course on above-mentioned related fields.
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in GIS application development and geospatial data analysis and visual interpretation of satellite images and/or aerial photographs  
•    Working knowledge of English and Somali and limited knowledge of Arabic.
•    National of Somalia.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Demonstrated ability in the implementation of geographic information systems.
•    Demonstrated ability to use image interpretation software and GIS/RS packages (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) 
•    Experience in remote sensed data interpretation. 
•    Knowledge of Environmental Science would be an advantage. 
•    Experience with cloud-based geospatial platforms, is an asset.
•    Good knowledge of the UN work system and ability to work under minimum supervision and effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• 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 additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ 
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. 

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 

• 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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