Forestry Application Developer

Overview

Develop and maintain applications for forest data monitoring.

You have:

• University degree in Informatics, Computer Science, Geospatial Engineering or a related discipline
• Minimum 3 years of experience with software development in Java and/or Kotlin, RxJava2 as well as Python.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of French or Spanish
• Advanced expertise in system design under the Android platform and ecosystem
• Excellent skills in key IT tools (MS Office, Github, App development)
• Ability to organize and conduct workshops and training sessions

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for a better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The Forestry Division leads FAO's work in promoting sustainable forest management and providing leadership on the environmental, social and economic dimensions of forestry, including contributions of forests and trees to poverty reduction and food security and nutrition.

The post is located in the National forest monitoring and MRV, platforms, analytic tools Team, who supports FAO member countries on all aspects of forest monitoring; providing reliable information for national forest and land use related policy development, planning and sustainable management; as well as aiding them to fulfil international reporting requirements under the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC. The Team also supports countries on technical issues related to National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS), Restoration Monitoring in support the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and the development of cost effective and high integrity Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV). The NFM Team develops and maintains Open Foris and SEPAL (Digital Public Goods for forest and land use monitoring). It works closely with the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD ) Teams.

In parallel, a small group of Google volunteers and open-source contributors have worked closely with partners at several public benefit organizations to design and iterate on a prototype of open-source, map-based data collection platform (GROUND) created to respond to the needs of Geo for Environment impact partners. After completing two case studies and one internal pilot showing GROUND’s potential to drive positive impact the team in Google is planning to put in production the open-source codebase with the goal of operationalizing GROUND.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the Forestry Officer, the consultant will contribute to the project “Forest Data Partnership (FDaP): Eliminating Supply Chain Deforestation & Catalyzing Ecosystem Restoration” (GCP /GLO/WRI/1052) through further developing CEO with an application that efficiently and effectively enables remote sensing validation data for monitoring of deforestation/degradation free commodity supply chains. In particular, she/he will:

Technical Focus

The Forestry application developer will provide technical support to the design, development and maintenance of the GROUND application

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will:

• Develop a GROUND case study for the Forest Data Partnership and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration • Organize and contribute to regular meetings with the GROUND co-developing team; • Ensure linkage of GROUND and SEPAL through the development of a module to process GROUND outputs in SEPAL • Coordinate with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring Task Force to link the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM) and a field data collection survey. • Contribute to field testing missions on one value chain • Contribute to field testing missions on one restoration initiative • Ensure data consolidation work and prepare practical summaries of technical and preparatory studies to guide decisions; • Provide detailed didactical material for the use of the application • Perform any other task requested by the program.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Informatics, Computer Science, Geospatial Engineering or a related discipline • Minimum 3 years of experience with software development in Java and/or Kotlin, RxJava2 as well as Python. Experience in API and/or application development. • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of French or Spanish. For PSA, working knowledge of English would suffice.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

The consultant will have to demonstrate the following skills:

• Advanced expertise in system design under the Android platform and ecosystem; • Excellent skills in key IT tools (MS Office, Github, App development); • Very good organizational skills; • Ability to prioritize tasks; • Ability to cope with high volumes of work; • Ability to work in a harmonious and efficient manner in a multicultural team; • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective working relationships with managers and colleagues.

Selection Criteria

• Extent of relevance of experience on providing NFI support to developing countries. • Knowledge of French and experience in African region particularly in demand. • Experience in conducting trainings in NFI design and implementation, as well as data entry, management and analysis tailored to country capacities; (experience in conducting trainings in French language highly valued). • Knowledge of Open Foris functionalities is an advantage. • Ability to travel internationally and work under demanding field conditions. • Ability to organize and conduct workshops and training sessions.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org