The American Red Cross (ARC) International Services Department (ISD) seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering around the world by responding to disasters, building safer, more resilient communities, and educating future humanitarians. With programs and partners in 70 countries, the American Red Cross working to strengthen the global Red Cross Red Crescent Network in order to deliver critical assistance to some of the most vulnerable communities in the world, reaching 100 million people annually.
SUMMARY:
American Red Cross (ARC) seeks to hire a full-time GIS supervisor to support a new initiative in which the American Red Cross (ARC) and its partners will create a regional mapping hub in Voinjama, Liberia, and use it as a base to conduct rapid and detailed assessments of the border regions of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone – working closely with host Red Cross societies in those countries. The hub will act as a base for the mapping work and a center for community engagement, trainings, and events related to mapping, open data, and the use of technology for civic engagement.
The GIS supervisor will provide support to the new mapping hub, build a thriving OpenStreetMap (OSM) community, and act as a champion for the importance of mapping and open data. The GIS supervisor will train and supervise three local GIS staff based in Voinjama, will oversee the initial mapping and analysis in the border regions, and will lead/oversee volunteer trainings and community outreach events. He/she will engage with local partners, government actors, and other NGOs to promote open data and mapping within the region, and solicit stakeholder input into data needs to ensure that mapping results in useful products and synergistic inputs for Red Cross programs. All of this work will be conducted closely with Red Cross national societies in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, as well as with American Red Cross National Headquarters and field delegates, and with partner organizations.
The GIS supervisor will split his/her time between Voinjama (including border areas for all three countries) and Monrovia, Liberia, in order to provide adequate support for the hub while also engaging with partners in the capital. The position will also require some travel to Washington and regional centers (e.g. Dakar). The GIS Supervisor will be based in Monrovia, Liberia.
The GIS Supervisor will receive close technical support from ARC’s GIS Team Lead and GIS Officer, and will report to the GIS Team Lead, in Washington, D.C.
This is an unaccompanied (non-family/spouse/partner/pet post).
This is a full time grant funded position for approximately 1-year in duration. Pending additional funding, the position may conclude after 9-months, or be extended for a full-year, or more.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Support the establishment of a mapping hub in Voinjama:
o Assist with establishing the physical office, as necessary.
o Work with NHQ GIS staff to understand existing methodologies and new technical tools available for the project.
o Train local GIS staff to build capacity in mapping, mobile data collection, understanding of OSM principles and procedures, data analysis, and map production.
• Oversee the rapid assessment and detailed assessment mapping of areas within 15km of the regional borders:
o Consult on strategy and methods for the mapping.
o Work with local GIS staff to train volunteers in mobile data collection methods and purposes.
o Oversee volunteers’ efforts to ensure that the mapping is completed on time and to a high standard of quality.
o Work with the local GIS staff and NHQ to ensure that data are input into OSM, analyzed to determine priority areas, and mapped to show results to the local community.
• Use the mapping hub to build and support a thriving OpenStreetMap community:
o Lead/facilitate engagement events with local communities as well as partner organizations, government actors, etc., in order to explain the project and the role/importance of open mapping.
o Facilitate/host mapathons and other mapping events.
o Consult on strategy and methods for additional community-oriented tech trainings, ranging from basic computer skills to Microsoft Office to mapping-specific courses; work with local GIS staff to deliver the trainings.
o Work with ARC and local GIS staff to design new, community-oriented mapping projects once the initial assessments are complete.
o For future mapping projects, work with local GIS staff and ARC to analyze data and produce visually-compelling maps, infographics, and reports; work closely with other program staff to ensure that the maps provide useful insight to guide their regional programs.
• Promote an ecosystem of open data in Liberia and the region:
o Engage with volunteers and partner organizations to educate people about the value of open data and mapping as key infrastructure for humanitarian/development efforts.
o Ensure that all appropriate geographic data are uploaded to OpenStreetMap or other relevant, accessible repositories.
• Ensure timely submission of all required project reporting, including programmatic and financial reports – on monthly, quarterly and annual basis to ARC country office.
• Work closely with ARC and host national society teams to support the project’s collaborative partnerships with other Red Cross partner societies, HOT, MSF, the World Bank, local government agencies, and other relevant entities. Qualifications:
o Assist with establishing the physical office, as necessary.
o Work with NHQ GIS staff to understand existing methodologies and new technical tools available for the project.
o Train local GIS staff to build capacity in mapping, mobile data collection, understanding of OSM principles and procedures, data analysis, and map production.
• Oversee the rapid assessment and detailed assessment mapping of areas within 15km of the regional borders:
o Consult on strategy and methods for the mapping.
o Work with local GIS staff to train volunteers in mobile data collection methods and purposes.
o Oversee volunteers’ efforts to ensure that the mapping is completed on time and to a high standard of quality.
o Work with the local GIS staff and NHQ to ensure that data are input into OSM, analyzed to determine priority areas, and mapped to show results to the local community.
• Use the mapping hub to build and support a thriving OpenStreetMap community:
o Lead/facilitate engagement events with local communities as well as partner organizations, government actors, etc., in order to explain the project and the role/importance of open mapping.
o Facilitate/host mapathons and other mapping events.
o Consult on strategy and methods for additional community-oriented tech trainings, ranging from basic computer skills to Microsoft Office to mapping-specific courses; work with local GIS staff to deliver the trainings.
o Work with ARC and local GIS staff to design new, community-oriented mapping projects once the initial assessments are complete.
o For future mapping projects, work with local GIS staff and ARC to analyze data and produce visually-compelling maps, infographics, and reports; work closely with other program staff to ensure that the maps provide useful insight to guide their regional programs.
• Promote an ecosystem of open data in Liberia and the region:
o Engage with volunteers and partner organizations to educate people about the value of open data and mapping as key infrastructure for humanitarian/development efforts.
o Ensure that all appropriate geographic data are uploaded to OpenStreetMap or other relevant, accessible repositories.
• Ensure timely submission of all required project reporting, including programmatic and financial reports – on monthly, quarterly and annual basis to ARC country office.
• Work closely with ARC and host national society teams to support the project’s collaborative partnerships with other Red Cross partner societies, HOT, MSF, the World Bank, local government agencies, and other relevant entities. Qualifications:
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in geography, GIS, urban planning, or other related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of GIS. The position also requires proficiency in ArcGIS or QGIS, online server-based GIS, and web-mapping. Graphic design skills and experience using Adobe Creative Suite and are strongly preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in project management; demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance to projects and in training/overseeing staff.
• Minimum of 3 years experience living and working in developing country contexts.
• Previous experience with community-based mapping.
• Extensive experience with OpenStreetMap (OSM).
• Strong data analysis skills (Excel, Access, PostGIS, PostgreSQL, etc.).
• Interest in using open source software and working to promote open data.
• Strong interpersonal skills and public speaking abilities.
• Willingness to spend a minimum of 50% in Voinjama, with the remainder spent in Monrovia or on project-related travel.
• Fluency in English with strong report writing and verbal communication skills; ability to speak French is an added advantage.
• Ability to work in an environment of diverse languages and cultures.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of GIS. The position also requires proficiency in ArcGIS or QGIS, online server-based GIS, and web-mapping. Graphic design skills and experience using Adobe Creative Suite and are strongly preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in project management; demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance to projects and in training/overseeing staff.
• Minimum of 3 years experience living and working in developing country contexts.
• Previous experience with community-based mapping.
• Extensive experience with OpenStreetMap (OSM).
• Strong data analysis skills (Excel, Access, PostGIS, PostgreSQL, etc.).
• Interest in using open source software and working to promote open data.
• Strong interpersonal skills and public speaking abilities.
• Willingness to spend a minimum of 50% in Voinjama, with the remainder spent in Monrovia or on project-related travel.
• Fluency in English with strong report writing and verbal communication skills; ability to speak French is an added advantage.
• Ability to work in an environment of diverse languages and cultures.
The American Red Cross is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
