Senior Researcher Officer - Geoinformatics

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is seeking an innovative & multi skilled candidate to join its proposed office in Mansehra, Pakistan, as a Senior Researcher Officer – Geoinformatics.

This successful candidate will initially be based in Lahore but will be relocated to Mansehra** once the proposed office has been established.

The Senior Research Officer – Geoinformatics will be responsible for leveraging geospatial information and technologies to analyze, model, and visualize data concerning water (surface and groundwater), land, and climate-related parameters. The incumbent will synthesize all spatial information, identify data gaps, acquire missing data using remote sensing approaches, and ultimately analyzing the data to facilitate informed decision-making on water consumption and allocations across sectors. By integrating geoinformatics with hydrological, environmental, and socio-economic data, the incumbent will contribute to informed decision-making and sustainable water resource management for the IWMI initiatives in the KPK region under the FCDO funded Water Resources Accountability Programme (WRAP).

The successful candidate will actively contribute to the research and capacity-building activities, analytical work, and stakeholder coordination related to the developed tools in the water and climate sectors. The candidate is also responsible for organizing project-related events, workshops, training sessions, and fieldwork involving diverse stakeholders and project partners. Additionally, the candidate will contribute to writing donor reports and research publications.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct spatial analysis using GIS software to understand the distribution, dynamics, and interactions of water resources, land use, and other relevant variables in KPK.
• Acquire, organize, and manage geospatial datasets, ensuring data integrity and quality for research and analysis purposes.
• Utilize remote sensing data and techniques to monitor changes in land cover, land use, and hydrological features, contributing to the assessment of water resources and environmental conditions.
• Develop and apply geospatial models to simulate hydrological processes, assess water availability, and predict future scenarios under different climatic and land use conditions.
• Assist in setting up and installing state-of-the-art instruments (e.g., automatic weather station, eddy covariance, automatic flow meters, water depth sensors, soil moisture probe, etc.) to get information on various hydrological variables in the pilot study districts.
• Pre-process primary data in different image processing software to calculate and audit the water resources system.
• Assist in designing and developing Spatial Decision Support Systems tools and applications to facilitate evidence-based decision-making for water resource management and planning.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of researchers, stakeholders, and partners to integrate geospatial information into interdisciplinary studies and projects.
• Provide training and technical assistance to project partners, government agencies, and local stakeholders on geoinformatics tools, methods, and applications.
• Be part of the research team during fieldwork, participating in interdisciplinary research activities, including data collection, processing, and analysis, focusing on thematic issues such as policy, institutions, water governance, and water management.
• Organize project-related events, workshops, training sessions, and fieldwork involving various stakeholders to promote capacity building and knowledge sharing.
• Assist in preparing high-quality project reports and communication materials according to project timelines.
• Perform other related duties as determined by the project leader.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential,

• Master’s degree in Geoinformatics, Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Space Science, or closely related fields.
• Minimum of 07 years of relevant experience in geospatial analysis, remote sensing, and GIS applications, preferably in the context of agriculture, water, and natural resources management.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting water management studies, including modeling, analysis, and publications in well-reputed international journals.
• Proven experience in utilizing market-leading software such as ArcGIS, and statistical analysis software, including the ability to develop Python scripts.
• Experience in project coordination, event organization, as well as community and stakeholder engagement for donor-funded projects.

Desirable,

• Prior experience working with international organizations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential,

• Proficiency in GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS), remote sensing tools (e.g., ENVI, Erdas Imagine), and programming languages (e.g., Python, R) for geospatial analysis and modeling.
• Independent and critical scientific thinking, including a solid understanding of the strengths and limitations of spatial tools for water resource assessments at various scales.
• Considerable depth of scientific knowledge and specialized expertise in water resources management working with the farming communities in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders and communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Proficiency in hydrological modeling approaches, for multiple scale assessments.
• Persuasive written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing, and editing, as well as strong presentation skills when addressing diverse audiences.

Desirable,

• Proficiency in Urdu and Pashto language is advantageous.

Benefits

This is a nationally recruited position and only Pakistani nationals will be considered. IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, inclusive of health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years with the possibility of extension.

IWMI strongly values diversity; therefore, qualified women are highly encouraged to apply.

**Note: The selected candidate will initially be based in the IWMI Lahore office for the first two months to undergo orientation, training, and familiarization with organizational procedures and project objectives. Subsequently, the candidate will be relocated to the IWMI field office location in Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as the permanent duty station to carry out effective implementation of project activities. This transition aims to ensure seamless integration into project operations and facilitate direct engagement with stakeholders and project partners in the designated project area.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on July 16, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.