Geospatial Analyst

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Geospatial Analyst

Type of Contract: Consultancy

Division: Emergency Operations Division

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome HQ, Italy

Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Emergencies Operations Division (EME) is responsible for enhancing the World Food Programme’s (WFP) preparedness and response capacity in emergencies, including early warning, preparedness planning, crisis support and information management. The Geospatial Support Unit within EME is continuously gathering data and updating georeferenced information to ensure that WFP is ready to create detailed cartography as well as spatial analysis of the areas of interest to support the humanitarian emergency response. As dependency on geospatial data. With increasing needs for evidence-based information for emergency preparedness and response, the unit is currently looking for a Geospatial analyst to further develop methodologies for rapid impact estimation using satellite and other relevant diverse data sources as well as to develop and scale-up risk analysis for sudden onset disasters. The Geospatial Analyst will report to the senior geospatial analyst and mapping team in close coordination with the Mapping and Analysis team lead within the GIS Unit.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Research and develop new methodologies for estimating sub-national, spatial risk analysis for major disasters that WFP prepares and responds to including but not limited to floods, earthquakes, and tropical storms
2. Research and develop new methodologies for estimating impact following major disasters using satellite and other relevant data sources.
3. Consider geo-statistics approaches and probabilistic evaluations of major hazards
4. Assist in the automation of the production of sub-national risk analysis and impact estimation
5. Ensure that relevant data, maps, scripts and products are available through the common spatial infrastructure and easily made accessible for wider use
6. Support cartographic map production (both static and dynamic) in accordance to established WFP standards
7. Create, update and maintain all the relevant technical documentation within the team’s GIS handbook
8. Assist with preparation of training materials (internal and external)
9. Contribute to the team’s communication activities including but not limited to preparing external presentations, global workshops and ad-hoc requests
10. Undertake missions to WFP Country Offices and Regional Bureaux as well as relevant conferences, as needed
11. Any other duties as needed

DELIVERABLES:

• Methodologies for risk and impact analysis developed and automated as feasible
• Technical documentation created and updated regularly
• Impact analysis provided for sudden onset disasters
• Internal training to ensure created methodology can be scaled up by all members of the Mapping and Analysis team
• Support to external trainings provided, as needed

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced degree in Geomatics, GIS, Spatial Risk Analysis or any other relevant field

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in GIS, remote sensing, risk analysis and mapping is essential
• WFP experience, especially at field or country office level with familiarity to WFP data systems is desirable.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Extensive knowledge and experience working with ArcGIS pro, QGIS, ArcGIS online and/or Geonode • Academic and practical background and experience developing multihazard spatial risk analysis – in particular, knowledge in combining spatially multi-hazard, vulnerability and exposure layers
• Advanced GIS mapping, data visualization and spatial analysis skills, in producing both static and dynamic/interactive maps for disaster response
• Strong data and database management and analysis skills
• Strong programming skills, especially ArcPy and/or knowledge of GIS related scripting to automate spatial analysis and map production
• Experience with other data visualization software a plus
• Experience working with external partners, especially academia and research institutions a plus

Languages:

Working knowledge of English (proficiency/level C) required, a second official UN language could be an asse

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 11 June 2023

Ref.: VA No. 827400

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.