Early Warning Expert develops hazard monitoring models, disaster risk alerts, and climate impact assessments, requires a Disaster Management/Climate Science Degree and 4+ years early warning experience. Full-time role in Nairobi.
Key
Roles and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the DRM Program Head,
the Early Warning Expert will undertake the following tasks:
Ensure
that the exposure and vulnerability data, the vulnerability methodology and the
workflows developed by ICPAC and its partners are integrated into ICPAC early
warning systems, and that value-added services are developed on those systems
to enhance decision-making across various actors and stakeholders.
Ensure
that ICPAC systems are continuously updated and improved in terms of data,
products and features; automate workflows; maintain and update reproducible
code; optimise systems; and develop new functionalities that customise the
systems to meet user needs on the basis of feedback and new requirements.
Support
the collection, aggregation and analysis of socio-economic data for various
vulnerability indicators, including physical, economic, social, ecological,
institutional and cultural indicators, from global data sources for the IGAD
region and for specific member states, and integrate these data into the ICPAC
and IGAD geoportal as a base layer.
Provide
technical guidance on system improvement in order to leverage the best
available technologies,and support scientists and data managers with workflow
automation.
Design,
implement and support capacity building activities for users of early warning
information and systems, with emphasis on socio-economic vulnerability.
Optimise
dissemination mechanisms so that impact-based early warning information reaches
the right people at the right time.
Downscale
ICPAC regional early warning platforms into national instances, including the
East Africa Drought Watch for Kenya, and the East Africa Hazards Watch for
Djibouti and South Sudan.
Serve as
project lead on assigned projects, coordinating with project partners, planning
and tracking activities and deliverables, managing stakeholder engagement and
reporting on project progress.
Performs
such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
Academic
Qualification
University
degree in Computer Science, Geo-Informatics, Computer Engineering, Information
Technology or a related field.
Specialised
training in geospatial application development is an added advantage
Professional
work experience
At least
four (4) years of relevant experience in geo-application design and
development.
Demonstrated
qualifications and proficiency in web application development and
geo-application development. Candidates should provide links to at least two
samples of previous work or to GitHub code.
Solid and
demonstrated experience working with scripting languages such as Python to
automate geo-processing data workflows.
Experience
in backend development using languages and frameworks including Django, Go and
NodeJS.
Demonstrated
experience with application containerisation using Docker and with deployment
on cloud infrastructure.
Experience
working on a variety of software development projects and developing responsive
front-end web solutions.
Proven
experience, evidenced by deployed projects or GitHub code, in designing and
developing production-ready scalable geospatial web applications using
open-source industry standard technologies such as Node.js, React, Mapbox GL,
Leaflet, Carto, Python, GeoServer, MapServer and GDAL.
Sound
knowledge of SQL and of the PostGIS spatial database.
Experience
developing REST APIs and a good understanding of microservices architecture.
Advanced
knowledge of OGC geospatial standards including WMS, WFS, WCS, WPS and Simple
Features for SQL.
Experience
working with the Go language and with NoSQL databases is an added advantage.
Proficiency
in statistical software such as R or Stata is an added advantage.
Experience
manipulating and analysing socio-economic and Earth observation data in
different data formats is desirable.
Essential
Skills and Competencies Required
Self-driven,
results oriented and able to solve problems independently.
Ability
to keep deadlines.
Continuous
improvement and knowledge sharing.
Experience
working in the IGAD region is highly desirable
How
to Apply
Interested candidates should send their applications
in PDF format accompanied by a cover letter, curriculum
vitae, copies of academic credentials,
copy of professional certification, copy of passport’s biometric
page / national identity card and three
reference persons including one from the last employer.
Applications should be submitted via email to the
addresses: recruitment@igad.int with the subject line: ‘IGAD-CMA’
