Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. In South Sudan, the FAO Representation is organized around three main units: Programme, Operations and Administration. The current portfolio of projects in South Sudan includes activities related to Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource Management, and is implemented with humanitarian, transitional and development funding.

In addition, FAOSS is a key player in Disaster and Climate Risk Management (DRM) and geospatial based early warning system and disaster management offering technical advice designed to integrate preparedness, prevention, mitigation, emergency response and recovery, all while also supporting transition from recovery to development that covers all phases of DRM.

Land cover is the information that helps to design and implement sound environmental and climate risk related policies, giving a clear vision of what is where in terms environmental features like forests, cultivated lands, waters, built up areas. Land cover is a key information in the emergency management cycle while assessing the risk and the vulnerability of assets. As a strong supporter of integrated disaster risk management, FAOSS is strengthening South Sudan’s governance mechanisms alongside the technical and physical capacity meant to reduce disaster risk and ensure sustainable and climate sensitive natural resource management and agricultural practices.

Reporting Lines 

Under the overall guidance of the FAOR and general supervision of the Senior Programme Officer, the National GIS Specialist will report to Head of Natural Resource Management unit. 

Technical Focus

The National GIS specialist will perform on development of maps, collection of geo-spatial data and ensure entry into the database, development of infographics for reporting and building a library of maps for FAO South Sudan reference and carry out other relevant tasks in the projects.

Tasks and responsibilities 

Development maps on demand

•    Prepare appropriate digital maps of South Sudan at national, regional and sub-regional levels and other than general purpose maps.
•    Produce high quality analytical maps for regular Programme updates and technical publications.
•    Provide technical assistance and support in the areas of GIS, mapping and Remote Sensing analysis. 
•    Coordinate the implementation of GIS/RS related trainings.
•    Prepare an index map of available satellite images, analyses images for various assessments.
•    Contribute to the Technical Working Groups and partner mapping and analysis.
•    Provide GIS support to Technical Working groups for the mapping and analysis of interventions.
•    Prepare map on the targeted areas of intervention including analysis of vulnerability and land degradation.

Support the collection of geo-spatial data and ensure entry into the database

•    Perform remote sensing analysis to support the production of agro-meteorological information.
•    Ensure all spatial data are appropriately indexed, stored and documented (metadata) according to industry standards.
•    Provide support in developing, archiving, documenting and making accessible geospatial database.
•    Perform spatial analyses related to addressing needs and gaps related to agriculture, food security, forest, land and water management.
•    Perform spatial analyses related to land management and land suitability analysis.
•    Provide key institutional memory and perspectives; assisting and orienting new staff in their technical duties.

Development of infographics for reporting

•    Produce high quality graphical outputs for regular Programme updates and technical publications.
•    Support the communication unit and reporting officer in the production of map-based infographics for better presentation of Programme achievements

Building of a library of maps for FAO South Sudan reference

•    Maintain and update FAO South Sudan’s digital map library ensuring maps and related data sets are updated frequently and contain appropriate metadata.
•    Organize and maintain all mapping related data sets to facilitate timely analysis and production of maps
•    Liaise with relevant government institutions and other humanitarian partners to ensure FAO South Sudan’s digital map repository is up-to-date with new shape files, analyses, maps and images.
•    Prepare map on the targeted areas of intervention including analysis of vulnerability and land degradation.
•    Increase access to hazard information and enhance its knowledge that ensure community-level preparedness, mitigation and disaster risk reduction.

Carry out other relevant tasks in the project

•    Collect and archive maps prepared by the Food Security cluster for reference purposes Work with the relevant International and National consultants to reinforce the capacity of FAO representation in RS and GIS Units for resources monitoring and information management.
•    Assist in any other relevant tasks within the project implementation framework as may be assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Natural Resource Management or Environmental Science or other relevant discipline from a recognized university 
•    A minimum of 5 years of practical experience in the field of GIS and remote sensing
•    Working knowledge of English and any local language
•    National of South Sudan 

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Demonstrated analytical and advanced computer skills, including expert knowledge of GIS technologies, database systems, standard spread sheets and other relevant software. 
•    Demonstrated high levels of professionalism, multi-tasking skills. 
•    Ability to work under minimum supervision. 
•    Excellent interpersonal skills 
•    Demonstrated openness in sharing information and keeping clients and colleagues informed.

Selection Criteria

•    Working experience in communications and/or reporting with nutrition-sensitive agricultural programmes and supporting the food security and/or nutrition sector in complex emergency contexts.
•    Demonstrated technical skills in GIS and RS work.
•    Advanced skill in arcGIS, Q-GIS, Google earth engine.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION