Open data specialist, short term consultant (STC)

Background

The East Asia Pacific Disaster Risk Management portfolio is rapidly expanding in the area of highly technical disaster and climate risk assessments with core components related to geospatial risk information, open source software development, and policy dialog on open data. East Asia Pacific has several cutting-edge programs including Building Urban Resilience with prototype develop of the Risk in a Box risk information decision tool, Multi-Hazard City Risk Index, Open Risk Modeling System for the Lower Mekong, and the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Assessment and Risk Financing Initiative (PCRAFI).

A strategic priority is demonstrating leadership in the implementation of the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)/World Bank Open Data for Resilience Initiative (OpenDRI). OpenDRI aims to reduce the impact of disasters by empowering decisions-makers with better information and the tools to support their decisions. Sharing data and creating open systems promotes transparency, accountability, and ensures a wide range of actors are able to participate in the challenge of building resilience. OpenDRI implements the first policy recommendation of the joint World Bank / UN flagship report, “Natural Hazards, UnNatural Disasters, the Economics of Effective Prevention,” which establishes the importance of data sharing to reduce vulnerability to disasters.

In order to support this ambitious agenda, expertise is needed to guide the development and implementation of both regional strategy and country level programs that building climate and disaster resilience.

Duties and responsibilities

• This role requires a strong technical background in disaster and/or climate risk management, open source software applications, and ability to communicate with non-technical, policy-oriented counterparts both within World Bank project teams and externally with government clients.
• The primary objectives are to support Urban Resilience Programs in Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines including the use of flagship resilience decision support tools, and to lead new country-level implementation of the OpenDRI policy recommendations.

Selection criteria

• 5 years of professional experience with a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Climate Sciences, Civil/Structural/Environmental Engineering, Urban Planning, Geography or related field;
• Computer/technical skills including familiarity with GIS tools (ESRI, QGIS, GRASS), risk modeling software (HAZUS, insurance models),open source modeling software tools (Global Earthquake Model, GeoNode/Risk in a Box), and understanding of earth observation/remote sensing products.
• Expertise in disaster risk management/climate change adaptation in multi-sectoral projects and programs desired;
• Experience managing software development projects from needs assessment and design through delivery; active participation in open source software communities desired;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• Additional language skills in an EAP language a plus;
• Strong organizational, research, and oral presentation skills;
• Proven ability to work in a team and intercultural environment with minimal supervision;
• Hands-on and action-oriented approach;
• Enthusiasm for and commitment to development work;
• Willing to travel extensively in East Asia and the Pacific;
• Field experience in developing countries desired.