Geospatial Analyst

Role Description

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. The Geospatial & Intelligence Unit 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.

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 in the Natural Hazards & Impact Assessment team.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

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

Deliverables at the End of the Contract

• 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

• Advanced degree in Geomatics, GIS, Spatial Risk Analysis or any other relevant field.
• 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 & Skills

• Extensive knowledge and experience working with ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, ArcGIS Online and/or Geonode.
• Academic and practical background and experience developing multi-hazard 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 Q required); a second official UN language could be an asset.

Benefits

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).