Mapping specialist

Background

Rwanda is prone to a wide range of natural disasters due to its geographic location, its vulnerability to climate change, and its population density. In the revision of its Vision 2020 and the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy 2013-2017), The Government of Rwanda is paying more serious attention to establishment of appropriate policy and institutional arrangements for dealing with disaster risks more effectively. The United Nations have been proactively promoting and advocating the need for creating a culture of preparedness since 2003 and has underlined the importance of integrating disaster risk management into the development process.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) has secured funding from the World Bank and European Union for the implementation of an evidence-based comprehensive national and district disaster risk profile.

MIDIMAR is currently looking for an experienced Mapping Specialist: (to be deployed as soon as possible).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Mapping Specialist will be located in the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, and will report directly the Project Manager. She/he will be will be an integral part of the project team and provide technical leadership on matters related to GIS and mapping:

• Develop a sound methodology to collect, store, analyze, and share geospatial information related data necessary for the development of a Risk Assessment Atlas for Rwanda
• Produce maps and related documents supporting the Development of the Comprehensive National and District Risk Analysis Project;
• Increase the capacity of the Ministry’s staff in GIS and spatial data management;
• Support database creation and information management mechanisms;
• Create individual maps of areas that represent risk factors (Hazard, exposure, Vulnerability and Capacity);
• Assist in project-level mapping and planning participatory GIS activities;
• Identify requirements for spatial analysis and products relevant to the development of the project;
• Propose innovative solutions in developing Risk Assessment indicators using GIS concept;
• Support the development and maintenance of a global database for the consolidation of the project-related data at the Ministry level;
• Undertake other related activities as requested by the Project Manager.

Qualifications, Experience and Required Skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in GIS, Information Systems, cartography, Geography or other related fields.
• Minimum of 3 years professional experience in GIS, hazard mapping, cartography or other related field.
• Good experience in database ( SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL and Access) and general computer software, knowledge of Hazus-MH is an added asset.
• Experience with industry standard mapping tools, especially ESRI products
• Ability to think creatively in terms of tool and process development
• Good ability to communicate (verbally, writing and reading) in English. Knowledge of French and/or local language is an added advantage.
• Willingness to work in a team environment, involving people of different nationalities and/or cultures;