Geospatial data scientist

About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

ADPC is an autonomous international organization with a vision to reduce disaster and climate risk impacts on communities and countries in Asia and the Pacific by working with governments, development partners, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, private sector, media, and other key stakeholders.

Established in 1986 as a technical capacity building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social and physical sciences to support sustainable solutions for risk reduction across a broad range of specialist areas. With over 100 staff from 19 different nationalities and a wide range of professional expertise from atmospheric scientists to social scientists with experiences from all levels of engagement typically required for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Resilience (CR) in an effective manner. ADPC is a competent regional resource center and has seven thematic departments: ADPC Academy, Risk Governance, Climate Resilience, Urban Resilience, Health Risk Management, Preparedness for Response and Recovery, Geospatial Information. These are supported by Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Strategic Planning departments. In addition to the departments, ADPC works on three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Diversity, Poverty and Livelihoods, and Regional and Transboundary Cooperation through permanent working committees.

ADPC Strategy 2020 guides the organization in providing comprehensive risk reduction support to countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific. ADPC recognizes the importance of examining the linkages between disaster risk management, poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainability, rights-based approaches, climate change and regional cooperation.

For details please refer to ADPC website.

Background

The overall goal of the Geospatial Information Department of ADPC is to increase uses of geospatial technology, data, and information by countries in Asia for supporting decision making related to disaster risk management and climate resilience. The department supports all thematic areas of focus of ADPC to achieve their goals, mainly through:

• Increased accessibility and technical capacity to develop, maintain, and use geospatial information including disaster and climate risk maps, forecasted and real-time disaster data for early warning, and damage data for post-disaster assessment and recovery planning
• Increased awareness by decision makers on applications of geospatial information in disaster risk management and climate resilience decision making, and
• Geospatial solutions, such as tools, models, and data, customized to the demands of stakeholders

SERVIR is a global program that provides scientific and technical know-how to help developing countries use geospatial information and technologies to achieve sustainable development. SERVIR-Mekong will promote the use and availability of publicly available satellite imagery and related geospatial decision-support tools/products to help key stakeholders and decision makers in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam better predict and manage floods and other natural disasters, improve agricultural risk management, manage land-use more sustainably, and help governments and communities increase resilience to the negative effects of climate change. Funded by USAID, and with lead scientific and technical support from NASA, SERVIR-Mekong is being implemented by ADPC with inputs from consortium partners Spatial Informatics Group, Stockholm Environment Institute, and Deltares. Further details can be found at the SERVIR-Mekong website.

Accordingly, a qualified and experienced Geospatial Data Scientist will be required to contribute to ADPC and the project in advancing the geospatial science and applying it for user-oriented tools.

Statement of Intent

The Geospatial Data Scientist will work closely with the SERVIR-Mekong Science team in developing geospatial tools, promoting improved information sharing, engaging in capacity building activities, and other tasks related to geospatial science. The Geospatial Data Scientist will be based in Bangkok, Thailand, with occasional travels for project requirements.

Note: It is not the intent of this Terms of Reference to cover every aspect of the position requirements, rather to highlight the most important areas of personal and joint responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Geospatial Data Scientist will:

• Work closely with SERVIR-Mekong Science and Data Leads to develop a series of remote sensing services and products in close coordination with the wider SERVIR Science Coordination Office.
• Provide technical remote sensing inputs to develop SERVIR-Mekong tools, as well as help ensure effective and efficient coordination of activities and inputs to achieve SERVIR-Mekong objectives affiliated with services and product delivery to end-users.
• Contribute to strengthening and creating new relationships with partner agencies.
• Contribute to proper documentation of procedures and processes developed under SERVIR-Mekong.
• Provide technical support to the SERVIR-Mekong Capacity Development Lead on training courses, workshops, and other capacity-building activities in the planning, delivery, and follow-up phases, as needed.
• Participate in meetings related to SERVIR-Mekong objectives, especially science and capacity- building functions.
• Travel as needed to countries in the Lower Mekong to coordinate the implementation of activities related to SERVIR-Mekong objectives.
• Support the Director of the Geospatial Information Department in increasing and improving uses of geospatial science in ADPC.

Qualifications

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Geo-informatics, or related fields
• At least 2 year of research/professional experience focusing on satellite remote sensing or geospatial science required
• Demonstrated computer literacy with high level of experience working with Remote Sensing data
• Experience in developing geospatial tools and applications essential
• Proven record of productive engagement with stakeholders or other clients/users or geospatial tools and applications
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Work experience in Lower Mekong Countries desired

Personal Qualities and Competencies

• Self-motivated, proactive, and takes initiative.
• Self-directed, dynamic, pays attention to details, independent with excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize work and time independently.
• Ability to coordinate, motivate, and lead diverse teams to accomplish complex goals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi- cultural environment.
• Strong desire to learn, undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem-solver, must have self- confidence, willingness to work hard.
• Willingness and availability to travel periodically.

Reporting Relationships

The Geospatial Data Scientist will report to the SERVIR-Mekong Science and Data Lead.