GIS and Remote Sensing Intern - OPT

at  IMPACT Initiatives

BACKGROUND ON IMPACT AND REACH

REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two International NGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH’s purpose is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that enhance the humanitarian community’s decision making and planning capacity for emergency, reconstruction and development contexts. REACH facilitates information management for aid actors through three complementary services: (a) need and situation assessments facilitated by REACH teams; (b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; (c) provision of related database and (web)-mapping facilities and expertise.
IMPACT Initiatives is a humanitarian NGO, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation manages several initiatives, including the REACH Initiative. The IMPACT team comprises specialists in data collection, management and analysis and GIS. IMPACT was launched at the initiative of ACTED, an international NGO whose headquarter is based in Paris and is present in thirty countries. The two organizations have a strong complementarity formalized in a global partnership, enabling IMPACT to benefit from ACTED’s operational support on its fields of intervention.

POSITION PROFILE

IMPACT is seeking a candidate with technical background in the GIS/Cartography/Remote Sensing sphere. More specifically, the candidate should have knowledge on analysis of satellite imagery with different spatial and spectral resolution. The candidate should understand concepts of cartographic design and have some experience in presentation of the results of spatial analysis using mapping products.
Under the supervision of the GIS Officer, with technical guidance from the HQ Remote Sensing Specialist, the GIS Intern is responsible for supporting geospatial analysis and mapping to support research products for oPt. The GIS RS Intern will support the oPt team in the application of geographic information systems, including relevant aspects of research design, support in designing data collection tools, geo-spatial analysis, and drafting of maps. In coordination with the relevant Managers and Specialists, the GIS Intern is required to support assessment planning in line with project and program objectives and with IMPACT’s research cycle and other relevant guidelines.

REQUIREMENTS

• Academic: Excellent academic qualifications, preferably including a master’s degree in GIS
• Research skills: Demonstrable experience with geo-spatial information management and analysis. Excellent spatial analysis skills (Analyst toolbox)
• Software skills: Advanced knowledge of ArcGIS. Proven knowledge of Microsoft office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Knowledge of R, STATA, python or equivalent statistical software an advantage.
• Communication/reporting skills Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting;
• Level of independence Proven ability to work independently.
• Cross-cultural work environment Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility.
• Language skills Fluency in English required, competency in Arabic is an asset but not mandatory.
• Security environment Strong ability to ensure security rules are followed.

The GIS Intern’s responsibilities include: