Remote Sensing and Climate Specialist (Global Emergency Unit)

We are currently looking for a Remote Sensing/Climate Specialist to support our Global Emergency team at HQ.

Department:                  Global Programs – Global Emergency Unit

Position:                        Remote Sensing and Climate Specialist - Global Emergency Unit

Contract duration:          open-ended

Location:                       Geneva, Switzerland

Starting Date:                 15 January 2025

BACKGROUND ON GLOBAL EMERGENCY UNIT

The Global Emergency Unit (GEU) seeks to establish systems to track, monitor, and advocate around worst-off humanitarian crises, in order to inform emergency prioritisation at the global and national level. GEU will lead the strategic development and implementation of REACH emergency programmes, including Humanitarian Situation Monitoring (HSM), responding to sudden onset disasters, monitoring risk of excess mortality, as well as launching new global programmes, such as a global alert system. The unit plays a critical voice within the organisation, and externally among humanitarian stakeholders, to raise the alarm in the case of anticipated or occurring catastrophic outcomes in both protracted and sudden onset emergencies.

POSITION PROFILE

IMPACT is seeking a motivated candidate with a strong technical background, who has previous experience working in Remote Sensing, GIS and climate data analysis. More specifically, the candidate should have experience with analysis of satellite imagery with different spatial and spectral resolutions for the purposes of environmental monitoring, particularly the assessment of shocks (flood, drought) and environmental degradation. The candidate should understand concepts of cartographic design and be experienced in presentation of the results of spatial analysis using static and interactive mapping products. Ideally, the successful candidate will also be familiar with the collection and processing of socio-economic data, especially in relation to climate and environmental assessments. Experience in fragile or emergency contexts is a plus.

Under the direct supervision of the Global Emergency Manager (GEM), and functional supervision of the GIS and Remote Sensing Unit at HQ, the RS/Climate Specialist is responsible for providing technical backstopping for all emergency programmes situated within the Global Emergency Unit. The RS/Climate Specialist will be responsible for the application of geographic information systems and remote sensing in the Global Emergency Unit, including relevant aspects of research design, support in designing data collection tools, ensuring (spatial) data quality, spatial analysis, drafting of maps, and production of web maps and information management systems. In addition, as the climate crisis proliferates, the RS/Climate Specialist will play a critical role in tracking and analysing the impact of climate change on acute humanitarian emergencies globally. In coordination with the Global Emergency Manager and unit at large, the RS/Climate Specialist is required to support assessment planning in line with project and program objectives and with IMPACT’s research cycle and other relevant guidelines. The RS/Climate Specialist will also deploy to sudden onset disasters, through our partnership with UNDAC or otherwise, and/or other emergency contexts as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the RS/Climate Specialist include the following:

Strategy development:            

Development of programmatic strategy

·        With the oversight of the GEM and the Remote Sensing Unit Manager (RSUM), the RS/Climate specialist will be accountable for the successful design and delivery of our strategy for the use of remote sensing techniques in emergency programming.

·        In collaboration with the GEM, the RS Climate Specialist will develop and implement a strategy for the integration of climate in emergency programming.

Review of country strategy

·        With the oversight of the GEM and RSUM, support IMPACT’s country missions with integrating remote sensing and climate considerations in the design & delivery of emergency programming

Developing impactful programmes

Producing & disseminating global programmatic guidelines

·        With the oversight of the GEM and RSUM, oversee the production and dissemination of global programmatic guidelines for remote sensing and climate integration, including through the development of technical guidelines, toolkits, and minimum standards for assessments and analysis.

·        Work with global GIS and remote sensing unit to implement, develop, modify/adapt new RS tools and approaches to specific contexts (using Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, etc);

·        Keep up to date with best practices and new innovations in remote sensing and undertake research and development to incorporate innovative techniques into remote sensing workstreams;   

·        Ensure proper documentation of methodologies and tool development;

·        Share best practices in accessible format to the IMPACT remote sensing community of practice;

·        Some common tasks are likely to include: creation/aggregation of climatic indicators, trend analyses of spectral/multi-spectral indices, Machine-Learning based classification for land/water monitoring, and change detection analyses

Support implementation of key programmes

Support in the implementation of research cycles:

·        In coordination with relevant assessment officer(s)/specialist(s), support assessment planning in line with project and programme objectives and with IMPACT’s research cycle and other relevant guidelines in case of sudden-onset emergencies as well as for tracking and alerting of slow-onset ones.

·        Contribute to draft assessment ToRs with a specific focus on the analysis plan, and related remote sensing and geospatial analysis, as well as data management plan.

·        Produce geospatial analysis of assessment areas to be used in developing emergency assessment plans, when required.

·       In collaboration with RTM lead, support country teams in development/adaption of monitoring systems including shocks monitoring systems and integration of remote sensing

·        Support in development of research design incorporating climate and environmental research when relevant, particularly when undertaking comparative analysis with remote sensing.

·        Produce relevant outputs stemming from analysis and research conducted at global level around climate and RS for the monitoring and responding to crisis, in line with IMPACT global standards.

·        In close coordination with the GEU and Emergency Coordinator Unit, in the event of a sudden onset shock, the RSC-S will support the scale up of the emergency response activation.

Develop, implement and implement the Global Alert System

·        In collaboration with the GEM, support the development and strengthening of a Global Alert System to support the identification and tracking of the most severe crises globally, with focus on areas at risk of excess mortality, sudden onset disasters, and/or other emergency settings

·        In consultation with the GEM and the rest of the emergency unit, the RS/Climate Specialist will be responsible for the development and implementation of the Global Alert System strategy

·       Lead the design and development of a Global Alert System drawing on emergency and other REACH workstreams to inform (1) emergency prioritisation externally, (2) prioritisation of internal resources to worst off crises, sudden onset disasters, and/or other emergency settings

Capacity building:

·        In coordination with the RSUM, support the development and implementation of capacity training plans for GIS and other team members, particularly on remote sensing capacities.

·        Be available to provide regular support and technical backstopping.

Developing key global programmatic partnerships

·        Represent the Global Emergency Unit when it comes to planning and procurement of UNOSAT services and satellite imagery.

·        Support the engagement with critical external stakeholders, such as ICVA and IASC EWEAR, to raise the flag on incoming/worst-off crises, as well as UNDAC and other relevant actors implicated in the emergency response sphere.

·        Represent IMPACT in relevant meetings/working groups and support the presentation of research findings through GIS inputs to relevant third parties in order to enhance their use and impact;

·        Promote an active use of datasets, GIS products, and research findings by partners and the broader humanitarian community for their decision making.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO COMMUNITIES AND BENEFICIARIES

The RS/Climate Specialist is responsible for ensuring that all interactions with affected communities are conducted in a respectful and consultative manner. Due attention must be paid to ensuring that communities are adequately consulted and informed about IMPACT programme objectives, activities, beneficiary selection criteria, and methodologies. This is the responsibility of every IMPACT staff member.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION

The RS/Climate Specialist will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes. He/she will actively take measures to prevent the unauthorized sharing of any information and data belonging to IMPACT and its partners,or collected during his/her assignment with IMPACT.

REQUIREMENTS

• Academic: Excellent academic qualifications, preferably including a Master degree related to GIS, Remote Sensing, Geography or Environmental-related disciplines;

• Theoretical knowledge: Sound foundational knowledge of remote sensing, including theory, principles, practice and application Expands and maintains knowledge in the field through literature;

• Research skills: Advanced experience with remote sensing analysis, and excellent spatial analysis skills; advanced knowledge of climate and hydrometeorological hazards is an asset; knowledge of concepts related to the disaster management cycle an asset

• Software skills: Advanced knowledge of Google Earth Engine; advanced knowledge of GIS software (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS); advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel; knowledge of R, Python or equivalent statistical software an advantage; knowledge of Adobe Suite, particularly InDesign and Illustrator an asset;

• Knowledge of remote sensing tools: Demonstrated experience using GEE, demonstrated experience with R or python for remote sensing and or geospatial analysis;

• Years of work experience: At least 5 years of relevant working experience;

• Familiarity with aid system: Experience in a complex humanitarian emergency is an asset;

• Communication/reporting skills: Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting;

• Multi-tasking skills: Ability to multitask with tight deadlines, on numerous research cycles;

• 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 another language an asset, particularly French or Spanish;

• Security environment: Ability to operate in a complex and challenging security environment.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

·        For this position, gross salary between 6’100 CHF and 6’300 CHF monthly (before income tax). NB - IMPACT salaries are strictly determined by our salary grid depending on the grade of the position and the level of education and experience of staff. A contribution to medical insurance of 450 CHF per month is already included in the salary figure.

·        Insurance covering professional and non-professional accidents throughout the period of employment with IMPACT

·        Health insurance, life insurance and repatriation assistance in case of field visits/temporary deployments

·        Enrolment in IMPACT Initiatives Research Foundational Learning Programme within the first 3 months from the start of contract.

·        Applicants must hold a valid work permit for Switzerland or be EU/EFTA citizens

·        Up to 40% of remote work on a weekly basis