Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist

BACKGROUND

The World Bank’s Environment and Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice (ENB GP) was established to deliver on the opportunities, benefits and outcomes offered by enhanced management of the environment and natural resources. One of its key regional initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR) is the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes (ASL) Program.

The ASL Program is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) financed regional initiative aiming to improve Integrated Landscape Management and Ecosystem Conservation in the Amazon Region. This goal is to be achieved by the ASL’s national projects in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname, and a regional technical assistance coordination and knowledge management project. Country environmental entities oversee the national projects and the World Bank, as the ASL lead agency, directly executes the regional technical assistance project. Within this regional project, the WB supports knowledge management and capacity building of national and regional level institutions towards themes of common interest linked to integrated conservation and sustainable development in the Amazon. 

The Amazon biome hosts the largest contiguous tropical forest area in the world, which has significant influence over regional and global climate and hydrological stability.  Over 47 million people live in the Amazon basin, mostly in urban areas and with high levels of poverty.  Amazon deforestation, forest degradation and water contamination are occurring at an alarming rate, exacerbating climate-induced loss of nature and ecosystem degradation.  There is a need for action in each of the Amazon countries facilitated by a strong regional framework.

The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO/OTCA) is an intergovernmental organization formed in 1995 by eight Amazonian countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela) following a 1978 Amazon Cooperation Treaty.   

The Amazon Regional Observatory (ARO /ORA) was established at the end of 2021 with the overarching goal of providing comprehensive data related to natural resources, forest cover, water management, and fire management to the eight Amazon member countries. It also serves as a platform for facilitating access to coherent data and regional reports. In the newly signed Belem Declaration, ARO is expected (among others) to:

• Be institutionalized within ACTO’s structure, making it a permanent instrument while enhancing its modules on economic, social, environmental, and cultural issues as a permanent tool for monitoring and consolidation of information supported by member states;
• Facilitate integration and use of data from multiple sources (including various parts of OTCA national governments) as part of various ARO modules;
• Become a key resource to the Intergovernmental Scientific Technical Panel for the Amazon under ACTO and on the Monitoring and cooperation in water resources management Cooperation with ACTO support;
• Enhance cooperation and harmonization of monitoring and hydrometeorological warning systems among States Parties.

The ENB GP in LCR seeks to recruit a proficient Geographic Information System Specialist Short Term Consultant as part of a World Bank effort to provide, via the ASL, technical assistance to the ARO in the area of geographic information systems.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

1. General Objective

Update software tools for management, systematization, migration and visualization of geographic information of the ARO (new version of GEOAMAZONIA).

2. Specific Objectives

• Carry out a consultation process on the various needs for using tools geographic areas with the various ACTO thematic specialists related to production and use of geographic information.
• Identify and implement geographic tools for GEOAMAZONIA and the rest of ORA geographic viewers, based on the requirements requested by specialists ACTO thematic themes (guaranteeing the functioning of the ORA value chain).
• Facilitate the migration of information from the current version to the new version of the GEOAMAZONIA.
• Identify sources of information and geographical content relevant to updating of the ORA (maps, Google ENGINE, remote sensing).
• Conduct training in geographic tools and in the integration of new sources geographic areas to the ORA.

KEY TASKS

1. Knowledge Base, Data & Analytics
   • ARO Stocktaking: Review and analyze the content of the current ARO’s GIS related modules and provide feedback and recommendations for improvement (including on integrating online services/APIs and sources of information/data to enrich them).  As part of this, support and document a consultation process with ACTO’s thematic specialists on the needs and use of geographic information systems/tools and associated  information/data/services; and propose/support the development of GIS tools to enhance the capabilities of the GEOAMAZONIA and other ARO’s geographic viewers user interfaces.
   • Collate key knowledge resources (including relevant online reports, journal & media articles, videos, and websites) related to the use of GIS data and analytics for the Amazon.  Facilitate their organization with short descriptions as part of an interactive knowledge resource. This is expected to build on, and link to, other efforts such as the ASL knowledge database.
   • Collate relevant spatial data working with other ARO/ACTO specialists from relevant diverse sources (e.g., member countries, research institutions, academia, international organizations, GEO/NASA/NOAA/ESA, etc.), and create a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) database (of data, online services in relevant OGC standard formats and open APIs, relevant scripts) to be used in the preparation of products and services.  Annotate data (both historical and real-time) with relevant brief metadata and notes on the comprehensiveness, access, data standards, and data quality.  This should include relevant spatial and temporal data related to the Amazon’s natural resources, landcover, climate, water resources, socio-economic, infrastructure, and other sustainability-related aspects etc. to help provide a comprehensive view of the status and trends and provide inputs for further analytics.  Develop a data catalog for useful geospatial data and services for ARO.
   • Outline relevant analytics based on prior work and exploration of useful spatial analytics/modeling for immediate use and to develop potential analytical activities for ARO looking ahead (e.g. related to indicator spatial and temporal trends and visualization, basin scenarios).  Leverage available GIS resources, including online GIS and cloud analytic tools such as Google Earth Engine in this regard.  Develop a spatial data ecosystem to facilitate access to data and analytics (both within ACTO and in the public domain).
   • Support and document the migration of information to update the new version of GEOAMAZONIA.
   • Collect information on key experts in working in and on the Amazon region (e.g. in academia, government, CSOs, etc.) on GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analytics to develop a professional network especially related to data and analytics.

2) Learning & Outreach

• Develop key interactive spatial knowledge resources to summarize, visualize, and interact with spatial information on the Amazon region (e.g. interactive spatial data dashboards, GIS data catalogs, interactive mapping spatial WebApps, maps, spatial infographics, interactive spatial elements for storymaps/eBooks, etc.) for the Amazon region targeted to both specialized and general audiences.  Improve access to spatial elements in all appropriate devices (e.g. computers, touchscreens, smartphones, tablets).
• Contribute with ARO’s team in the development (including key topics/skills required) and implementation of a Knowledge Exchange Program to bring in short-term inputs (e.g. internships, visiting experts) from relevant talent in the Amazon basin countries (e.g. from Universities, spatial agencies of member countries, etc.).
• Support activities across other ARO and OTCA on spatial analytics topics. This Consultant should explore enhancing synergy and avoiding duplication with other ongoing work (e.g. supporting work of other specialists, data integration, developing cross-discipline visualizations, etc.).  
• Provide discussions and training to ARO, ACTO, and member countries’ stakeholders on spatial data and analytics topics, organize webinars on relevant spatial data and tools to facilitate cross-learning, and support outreach (e.g. websites, portals, blogs, social media posts, hackathons).  Support ARO’s efforts to become a useful technical helpdesk for member countries in the area of Amazon basin spatial data and analytics, including technical support for spatial analytics and effective use of spatial platforms.  Develop appropriate training materials, conduct learning sessions, and solicit feedback.
• Explore partnerships (in the region and globally) on spatial data and analytics and outreach.
• Conduct training in geographic tools and in the integration of new sources geographic areas to the ARO.

3) Strategic Support

• Facilitate improvement in relevant public-domain spatial data access and data sharing as online services from the member countries.
• Conduct an assessment of key strategic spatial data and analytics issues, challenges, and opportunities where the ARO could add value to the OTCA’s member countries. This should include the identification and prioritization of spatial data/analytics services, platforms, and tools aimed at meeting the information needs of member countries for decision-making on topics relevant to the Amazon region.
• Prepare inputs for an institutionalized ARO’s strategic and business plan (which development will be facilitated by another consultant), focusing on spatial data management and analytics topics and the development of relevant products and services.  This should include inputs on areas of capacity-strengthening and institutional infrastructure in ARO on modern spatial data/analytics to effectively meet their evolving mandate.  Facilitate data security to safeguard geospatial data and compliance with applicable data protection regulations.  Regularly assess and enhance security protocols to mitigate potential risks and improve performance reliability. 

4) Final reports: 

• Diagnostic report and recommendations on the production, management and exchange of spatial information of the ARO.
• Report document on the migration to the new version of GEOAMAZONIA.
• Database of content and sources of geographical information relevant to the ARO (maps, Google ENGINE, remote sensing).

SELECTION CRITERIA

• An advanced graduate degree (at least Master’s) in GIS/remote sensing or equivalent.
• At least 5 years’ experience working on spatial data and analytics, including a good expertise in GIS, remote sensing, spatial cloud analytics, metadata management, interactive storymaps, etc.  Knowledge of the Amazon regional context desirable.
• Proficiency in use of common GIS/spatial analytics software (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine) and associated scripts and tools (e.g. WebApps, Storymaps, 3D visualizations, etc.).
• Proficient in integrating diverse geospatial datasets from various sources into a unified platform.  Familiarity with data cleaning, transformation, and validation processes.
• Experience with web mapping libraries and frameworks (e.g. Leaflet, Mapbox, Open Layers) to develop spatial dashboards.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, JavaScript or other relevant scripting for large spatial data analytics.
• Strong background in spatial analysis techniques, including spatial modeling, remote sensing, and geostatistics.
• Ability to interact with multi-sectoral teams to determine user needs, constructively analyze and overcome challenges, and customize spatial analytics and dashboards.
• Experience working in both developing and developed countries.
• Experience working with data-related services and institutions in complex governance settings is desired.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of Portuguese will be an advantage.
• Experience working in diverse, multi-sectoral teams.

CONTRACT ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant will report to a World Bank Task Team Leader (TTL), or another delegated staff. 

The consultant can be based anywhere in the Americas and is expected to mostly work remotely with about 20% of the time working at the facilities of OTCA in Brasilia (Brazil); and with potential travel to other Amazon countries and to Washington DC.  The Consultant will work closely with the World Bank team working with OTCA and the staff of OTCA for this assignment.

This assignment is expected to cover maximum 150 days to begin in May 2024 and be completed by June 30, 2025 with a schedule agreed with the client across the FYs.

The Consultant will be paid upon presentation of the Request for Payment (RFP) with description of the work and deliverables indicating the days worked in the period requested, through the World Bank’s system, duly approved by the TTL.

Kindy express your interest by sending your CV and cover letter to Hae Jin Cho hcho4@worldbank.org and Federico Hahn fhahn@worldbank.org by May 17th.