Reference number: 2024007
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Global Position
Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

Overview

Under the supervision of the head of SPACIAL and the Co-lead for the Knowledge for Great Green Wall (K4GGWA) project in West Africa, the Spatial Data Scientist and GIS expert will focus primarily on GIS analysis tasks, supporting the K4GGWA project team. Tasks will include engagement with partners and project stakeholders across GGW countries, including the Pan African Agency and UNCCD Accelerator. Spatial data science and GIS tasks will include data analysis and mapping using QGIS, R Statistics or Python, particularly in relation to the mapping and monitoring of land health indicators. Other tasks will include identification of data analytics problems, cleaning, and validation of data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and uniformity. The position will also engage with multiple themes and units within CIFOR-ICRAF on scientific project tasks, particularly around access to and use of spatial data, database development and management, report writing, and scientific publications. Finally, the position will contribute significantly to capacity development of regional and national GGW bodies and stakeholders to assess, map and monitor a wide range of biophysical and land health indicators.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Spatial analysis and mapping (GIS) using existing data at country and regional level, including from GGW partner countries and agencies. Support project activities to strengthen the capacity of regional and national GGW bodies and stakeholders to assess, map and monitor a wide range of biophysical and land health indicators; responding to country needs, including to track the effectiveness of land restoration implementation, target interventions, and to guide policy; use of a wide range of available tools, including citizen science apps and relevant FAO.
2. Basic remote sensing analysis such as calculations and analysis of vegetation indices and land cover classes. Support in the development and deployment of machine learning models using ground truth and remote sensing data to assess various aspects of ecosystem health at scale.
3. Contribute to the preparation of annual state of land (use change, health, incl. trends in climate) and vegetation maps, and knowledge products, building on existing tools and analysis, where relevant, including the EU’s ‘Africa Knowledge Platform’.
4. Represent CIFOR-ICRAF at conferences and/or meetings from a technical remote sensing / data science perspective.
5. Manage spatial data science fellows and interns as needed.

Requirements

• MSc in GIS, spatial data science or related field.
• Some background in remote sensing, whether from satellite or from aerial/drone imagery.
• High level of proficiency in QGIS, some experience with computer programming languages such as R or Python.
• Experience in handling spatial data.

Education, knowledge and experience

• MSc in GIS, spatial data science or related field.
• Some background in remote sensing, whether from satellite or from aerial/drone imagery.
• High level of proficiency in QGIS, some experience with computer programming languages such as R or Python.
• Experience in handling spatial data.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Globally Recruited position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in local currency commensurate with skills and experience.
• The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya/ West Africa CIFOR-ICRAF Offices.

Application process

The application deadline is 14 Mar 2024
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.

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