Data Management and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist

Job Description

General Summary

The Data Management and GIS Specialist position is part of the Data Management team, a unit within the Washington DC-based Famine Early WArming System (FEWS NET) Early Warning Team (EWT). The FEWS NET EWT seeks a Data Management and GIS Specialist who has experience working with a variety of complex and large datasets, preferably within the humanitarian context, to provide support to ongoing data management and GIS and mapping activities across the team’s sectors (e.g., Decision Support, Markets and Trade, Livelihoods, Nutrition).

The FEWS NET EWT’s acute food insecurity early warning analysis and decision support products rely on a diverse set of qualitative and quantitative data sources. These data are collected, cleaned, and analyzed routinely for incorporation into a range of regular reports, briefings, and ad hoc information requests from USAID and other stakeholders. Maps are used extensively throughout the EWT’s products and are an essential means for communicating components of the analysis along with the results. Data management and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are, therefore, essential to achieving the FEWS NET EWT’s core mandate.

During the previous phase of FEWS NET, USAID funded the development of a FEWS NET Data Warehouse (FDW) to manage and archive many of the databases project staff and other stakeholders use. The FEWS NET EWT collaborates with the FEWS NET Learning and Data Hub (Hub), implemented by Kimetrica, to develop essential database design components and data (both primary and secondary) to support the buildout of various data domains, including but not limited to: commodity prices, cross-border trade flows, agricultural production, acute malnutrition, historical food insecurity classifications, food insecure population estimates, and geographic shapefiles. Additionally, the EWT utilizes a selection of mobile data collection and transmission system (MDTS) tools across its geographies to facilitate the collection and management of select primary data.

The Data Management and GIS Specialist will assist with the formatting of datasets for upload into the FDW. In addition, the Data Management and GIS Specialist will assist in the spatial and geographic coding of data, and GIS shapefile management. The individual will also support ongoing and future initiatives related to data collection and survey tools, the production of high-quality thematic maps and visual analyses, and data visualization tools (including interactive data monitoring products and tools). We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

GIS and Ad-Hoc Mapping

• Creating, maintaining, and updating core mapping products for different sectors of the project, including food insecurity maps, production and trade flow maps, and conflict maps
• Performing desk research on administrative boundary changes in FEWS NET countries
• Locating and identifying current and historical shapefiles for FEWS NET countries, ensuring that shapefiles have proper topology and are fitted to the FAO GAUL Admin0 (national) boundaries
• Producing tables and flow charts documenting changes in administrative boundaries over time for eventual upload into the FDW
• Maintaining FEWS NET’s global geo-database of shapefiles and mapping files, and updating relevant GIS mapping products and the FDW, when needed
• Ensure FEWS NET mapping products across all sectors adhere to FEWS NET GIS Style Guide
• Supporting ad-hoc requests for thematic maps for reports and briefings, and other data visualization products such as PowerBi, and ArcGIS Insights
• Working, as needed, with science team and Hub members to facilitate collaboration around jointly-managed shapefiles

Data Management and Processing

• Extracting require EWT data from unstructured source documents, such as PDFs and Excel sheets

Geo-coding extracted data and uploading it into the FDW

• Tracking and resolving data upload issues with the Hub; creating and, as relevant, responding to helpdesk tickets using Jira system
• Identifying data irregularities and inconsistencies in source documents and processed datasets, and proposing and implementing approved solutions
• Supporting and assisting in the design, implementation, and maintenance of the EWT’s new and/or existing applications and initiatives to manage, analyze, and visualize data for both regular and ad hoc reporting and decision support efforts
• Providing support to other data processing/data management tasks across the project, as needed

Capacity Strengthening and Other

• Providing in-person and remote recurring and ad hoc capacity strengthening to EWT staff on GIS processes and tools
• Assisting in the management and supervision of subcontractor task orders associated with EWT data processing and GIS deliverables, as requested

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the required knowledge, skills, and/or abilities needed to perform the principal duties.
• Bachelor’s Degree in computer science, information systems, or a GIS-related field is required; advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) is desirable
• At least two years of relevant experience (with PhD), four years of relevant experience (with Master’s degree), or six years of relevant experience (with Bachelor’s degree) is required. Relevant experience includes professional experience with GIS platforms, data science, data curation, and mobile data collection technologies. Demonstrated previous experience with statistical tools to perform analyses, such as Excel, PowerBI, or Tableau is required.
• Technical skills and knowledge in Python programming language is required
• Previous experience with mobile data collection tools (e.g., ODK, Magpi, KOBO), methods, and management is required
• Proficiency in the use of GIS software, with particular experience in ESRI products, is required—including a demonstrated ability to handle and process non-standardized data
• Additional skills with databases, scripting, 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 details is required
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing is required
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance and capacity strengthening to adult learners is required
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multicultural team across numerous geographies is required
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility and integrity
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required; French, Spanish, and/or Arabic language skills are desired

Physical Requirements

• Regular attendance and availability during normal business hours are required
• Ability to work in a normal office environment
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

Work Conditions

• Normal office environment; usually moderate noise level
• Occasional exposure to environmental conditions includes exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy conditions caused by the weather
• Ability to travel and work abroad in less developed countries for at least 4 to 8 weeks a year

Apply by October 16, 2022 at 11:59PM EST. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Chemonics is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
Chemonics will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by Chemonics, or (c) consistent with Chemonics legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

COVID-19 Recruitment Information
Chemonics International is continuously monitoring COVID-19 activity around the world. The health and wellbeing of our staff and potential candidates is of the utmost importance to us and we continue to offer virtual interviews for all on-going recruits. On-boarding for new staff is offered in hybrid format through our Washington, D.C. and London, UK offices to accommodate remote workers.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information
Chemonics requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated.

The Salary Range for this position is expected to be: $78,800 - $98,500.

An employee’s pay position will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, ESOP, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible to US based employees. Please visit https://chemonics.com/life-at-chemonics/our-benefits/ to find out more about the benefits this position is eligible for.

About the Organization

Founded in 1975, Chemonics is an international development consulting firm. In more than 70 countries around the globe, our network of 5,000 specialists share a simple belief: that the challenges we face today are best solved through the right partnerships — sharing knowledge, expertise, and experience to deliver results. As part of our culture and values, Chemonics is proud to be named a “Best Place to Work” in the Human Rights campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index. Where Chemonics works, development works. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or visit us at www.chemonics.com.