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GIS Research Analyst I, Global Forest Watch

1:47:00 AM

About WRI
World Resources Institute is a global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. Our 500 experts and staff work with partners in more than 50 countries; we have offices in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States. WRI is consistently ranked as the top global Think Tank working on environmental issues.
In 2014, WRI was ranked one of the Top Workplaces by the Washington Post.
Overview
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is seeking a GIS Research Analyst for Global Forest Watch (GFW) within the Food, Forests & Water Program. The position is based in our Washington, DC office.
The GIS Research Analyst will assist in rolling out new GFW country programs in Madagascar and Georgia on forest and land-use. Together with technical in-country staff and supported by a group of in-house GIS experts, the analyst will compile project relevant datasets to build national interactive forest information systems, and give technical support to the in-country teams and GFW partners. The candidate will also be responsible to perform spatial analysis for Georgia and Madagascar, as well as generate new data to meet research needs and questions identified during project activities. In addition, the analyst will be responsible for product management of GFW web tools and working with developers to build new features and conduct user testing. Finally, the candidate will assist in writing technical reports and blog posts for the GFW and WRI websites and scientific reports and papers for publication, as well as preparing visually appealing maps and posters. The candidate will work collaboratively with technical and non-technical team members within the African Forest Initiative, the GFW research and commodities teams, product managers, and external partners.
GFW’s mission is to make high-quality information about forests universally accessible and useful for people worldwide, so as to empower them to manage forest landscapes sustainably and improve the livelihoods of local people. The GFW platform (www.globalforestwatch.org) unites satellite technology, open data, and human networks to provide free access to the most timely, reliable, and actionable information about forests around the world. The GFW initiative supports governments, civil society, and the private sector to apply this information to solve critical forest monitoring and management challenges. Please visit the following websites to get more information on GFW and the other types of projects involved: GFW (www.globalforestwatch.org) and Forest Atlases (cmr.forest-atlas.org).
Responsibilities
The Research Analyst's main areas of responsibility will include the following:
Research & Knowledge 70%
  • Provide technical support for in-country staff in Georgia and Madagascar
  • Manage data platforms and web-portals to access country specific data
  • Develop metadata and carry out quality control of datasets
  • Perform spatial analysis and produce new data to meet research needs and project objectives
  • Provide editing/writing support on publications, blogs and other external materials to ensure clear, compelling and timely program communications
  • Prepare visually appealing maps and posters that meeting the high quality standards of WRI
  • Assist with literature reviews and qualitative or quantitative analyses
  • Contribute to fundraising proposals
  • Deliver presentations at internal and external meetings
Project Support 30%
  • Organizing internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences and other dissemination activities
  • Help support and conduct training for in-country GIS WRI staff and partners
  • Work with product developers to develop new features, conduct user testing and troubleshoot problems for online web products and applications
  • Liaise with external partners and WRI colleagues across programs and countries
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • Master's Degree required in geography, environmental science, forest ecology, landscape ecology, natural resource management, GIS/remote sensing or a related field. PhD in related field
  • 2-3 years working or conducting research in a GIS or remote sensing field
  • Experience in geodatabase management and administration using ArcSDE and PostgreSQL/ PostGIS
  • Demonstrated experience with creating and managing web GIS maps, tools and applications
  • Experience with Google Earth Engine or other cloud computing services
  • Proficiency in spatial analysis using various GIS tools, including ArcGIS and GDAL tool suites
  • Programming experience using Python, Javascript and/or other analysis tools
  • Experience in (tropical) forestry, land use planning or land use modelling
  • Experience in conducting training and/or workshops in GIS and remote sensing
  • Demonstrated ability to design visually appealing maps and posters
  • Strong interpersonal skills, working with people from a variety of backgrounds
  • Strong communication and writing skills
  • Highly responsible and self motivated
  • Working experience in a developing country
  • Willingness to travel
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Ability to communicate in French, Georgia or Russian
  • Working experience in Madagascar or Georgia
  • Proficiency in using graphic design software
Final candidates will be required to take a writing/analytical test.
Salary and Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package

HOW TO APPLY:
Qualified applicants should apply online at careers.wri.org. All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered.
The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI's policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.

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