GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist job at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
About the Organization
FAO and Uganda have a long history of cooperation. The Organization’s technical assistance in the country began as early as 1959 in the areas of aquaculture development and livestock disease control. Cooperation has increased since the opening of FAO’s representation in 1981, with interventions comprising national policy and programme formulation, agricultural and rural development projects, and emergency and rehabilitation assistance. More recently, emphasis has been given to building resilience to the effects of climate change.
FAO’s cooperation with Uganda Government is shaped by the Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2015-2019, jointly developed with the Government and other partners.
The CPF is a joint framework which forms the basis for strategic cooperation over the next five years between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of the Republic of Uganda. The CPF is fully aligned with national and regional development priorities as well as the UN Development Assistance Framework for Uganda.
Over the years, the stature and influence of FAO in Uganda has grown considerably. Currently, the country programme comprises well over 20 projects with a combined budget of close to 80 million USD, which makes FAO one of Uganda’s significant development partners. FAO projects are mainly field-based, addressing on-ground pertinent issues.
Until 2010, FAO’s support programme emphasized emergency and rehabilitation following two decades of insurgency in Northern and North Eastern Uganda. The current CPF however, focuses more on long-term development objectives aimed at revitalizing agricultural production and productivity and spurring economic development for the country.
FAO Uganda therefore falls under the Development Programme. FAO’s development interventions aim to support and build resilient agriculture-based livelihoods. Our interventions focus on crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry and their interaction with the environment, Climate change and building resilience. Further, FAO gives guidance in drafting effective legislation and creating national strategies to achieve transformational development and alleviate hunger.
Job Description
The FAO Representation in Uganda provides technical assistance to the Government of Uganda to achieve sustainable food, nutrition and income security through resilient, sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems. The project the incumbent will support aims to contribute to enhanced resilience and gender-responsiveness of food production and livelihood systems for food and nutrition security in Karamoja subregion using a food systems approach.
Reporting Lines
Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative, the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, the incumbent directly supports the National Emergency Coordination and Operation Centre (NECOC) Department of Disaster Preparedness and management.
Technical Focus
The GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist will support on all aspects of the integration of FAO supported Early Warning Systems in the national systems, as well as supports the production of FAO supported multi-hazard early warning bulletins and coordinates various project activities with NECOC. The incumbent will undertake the following primary duties in close collaboration with all relevant technical personnel.
Duties and Responsibilities
Lead the technical integration of FAO supported early warning systems within NECOC infrastructure (including the FAO supported web-based early warning portal) and the national multi-hazard Early Warning system.
Lead the development of geospatial data collection protocols, storage, transmission and analysis of geospatial data.
Support the development of statistical tools and techniques for multi-hazard monitoring.
Identify and propose data sources as well as stakeholders whose systems could be useful for unilateral data integration into NECOC.
Seek and design APIs for integration of such data or with stakeholders’ systems as will be identified.
Contribute to the development of the technical design of FAO supported early warning systems.
Develop protocols, tools or techniques to automate routine analysis of related hazard monitoring variables.
Design, maintain and update geospatial databases as needed for the project as well as NECOC.
Develop training materials for GIS, remote sensing, data analysis, and visualization, and deliver workshops / training events for FAO field staff and the government.
Produce and/or review (ensure quality of) maps based on geospatial and remote sensing data as requested.
Maintain a database of quality-assured base layers including and not limited to administrative, hydrographic, climatological, and demographic layers.
Utilize GIS tools and remote sensing techniques to analyse and assess hazard-prone areas, vulnerability, and exposure to natural disasters.
Perform all other duties as would be required in relation to remote sensing, data analysis, automation and integration.
Provide training and technical support to staff and stakeholders on GIS and remote sensing applications.
Develop training materials and conduct workshops to build local capacity in geospatial technologies.
Qualification, Experiences and Competencies
Advanced degree in Geospatial Sciences, Remote Sensing, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related field from a recognized University.
A minimum of five years of relevant experience in GIS and remote sensing, preferably in the context of disaster risk management or early warning systems.
Working knowledge of English.
National of Uganda.
FAO Core Competencies
Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
Work experience in more than one location or area of work.
Extent and relevance of experience in GIS and remote sensing applications
Extent and relevance of experience in computer programming languages such as python.
Knowledge of spatial modeling and prediction techniques.
Familiarity with geospatial databases and data management practices.
Experience with remote sensing data processing and analysis.
Extent of experience in disaster risk management/reduction, food security and/or agricultural meteorology.
Experience in working with the government partners at different levels.
Demonstrated ability to open to innovative approaches and new practices.
Ability to deliver project outputs in a timely manner with high standard quality.
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills within team and with external stakeholders.
Selection Criteria
Work experience with and expert knowledge of GIS software (i.e. ArcGIS, QGIS, GV-GIS, GRASS GIS, etc.) and database and computer programming (python) languages would be considered an advantage.
Work experience with and knowledge of Google Earth Engine, Collect Earth is highly desirable.
Knowledge of other languages is an asset
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
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.
How to Apply
• 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.
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