GIS Specialist

Chemonics International, Inc.•Washington, DC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

FEWS NET food security analysis, early warning, and decision support for emergency food assistance relies on the monitoring and analysis of markets and prices associated with staple foods, cash crops, livestock, cash, labor, and more. The GIS Specialist supports the Washington, D.C. and project office operations for the Knowledge Base project GIS Specialist for FEWS NET 8 KB will oversee formatting of geographic datasets, geo-referencing of data, and GIS shapefile management. The GIS Specialist will support ongoing and new initiatives in data collection and survey tools, production of high-quality visual analyses, and data visualization tools.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience;
Minimum 3 years of relevant experience; experience in computer science, information systems, or a GIS-related field is preferred;
Demonstrated previous experience with statistical tools to perform analyses, such as Excel, PowerBI, or Tableau;
Technical skills and knowledge in Python programming language;
Proficiency in the use of GIS software, with particular experience in ESRI products -- including a demonstrated ability to handle and process non-standardized data;
Additional skills with databases, GIS platforms, scripting, data science, data curation, and use of cloud services are desired;
Demonstrated previous experience using large socioeconomic datasets for analyses is desired;
Familiarity with Agile framework and software development methods and processes is desired;
Excellent research skills and ability to focus on detail;
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing;
Demonstrated ability to provide guidance and capacity strengthening to adult learners;
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multicultural team across numerous geographies;
Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity; and knowledge of artificial intelligence concepts and tools, with the ability to apply them appropriately and responsibly to support efficiency, decision-making, and problem solving in a dynamics business environment;
Fluency in English is required; Proficiency in French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Arabic language preferred.

Nice To Haves

experience in computer science, information systems, or a GIS-related field is preferred
Additional skills with databases, GIS platforms, scripting, data science, data curation, and use of cloud services are desired
Demonstrated previous experience using large socioeconomic datasets for analyses is desired
Familiarity with Agile framework and software development methods and processes is desired
Proficiency in French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Arabic language preferred

Responsibilities

Create, maintain, and update core mapping products for different sectors of the project, including livelihoods maps, production and trade flow maps, and country-specific reference maps;
Locate and identify current and historical shapefiles for FEWS NET 8 KB target countries, ensuring that shapefiles have proper topology following FEWS NET and U.S Admin 0 boundaries;
Produce tables and flow charts documenting changes in administrative boundaries over time for eventual upload into the FEWS NET Datawarehouse (FDW);
Maintain FEWS NET 8 KB’s global geo-database of shapefiles and mapping files, and update relevant GIS mapping products and the FDW when needed;
Support the development and updates of new and historical livelihoods mapping products and shapefiles. Ensure all products are uploaded into the FDW and FEWS NET website;
Support ad-hoc requests for thematic maps for reports, presentations, and briefings, and other data visualization products such as PowerBI, and ArcGIS Online;
Work, as needed, with science team and FEWS NET Hub members to facilitate collaboration around jointly managed shapefiles and other GIS products;
Provide in-person and remote recurring and ad hoc capacity strengthening to FEWS NET 8 KB staff on GIS processes and tools;
Provide support to data processing tasks related to GIS mapping products across the project, as needed;
Assist in the management and supervision of subcontractor task orders associated with data processing and GIS deliverables, as requested.