4016BR
Nature based Solution (NbS) Monitoring – Remote sensing specialist
Aga Khan Foundation
The position
Background
The AKF/AKDN is working with country offices to ensure that historical site spatial and non-spatial data is accurate, including aligning areas with polygon boundaries and verifying that GPS locations fall within those boundaries. In addition to these efforts, the role will also contribute to natural resource (forest, regenerative farming, water, pastureland) monitoring, tree survival models, and carbon sequestration modeling, leveraging satellite imagery and GIS data. This is part of a broader commitment to enhance environmental sustainability and climate action.
Remote Sensing Specialist
Duration: 1 Year, full time (100%), the contract is for 1 year, with an option for extension based on performance and project needs
Location: Remote
Reporting to: AKF Global Lead, Environmental Assessment and Sustainability
Objectives
The key objectives of the role include:
- Data cleaning & spatial and non-spatial data accuracy: ensuring the polygon areas for historical sites match their actual geographic areas, and that GPS locations are accurate and within the correct boundaries.
- Natural resources monitoring through GIS and remote sensing technologies, contributing to more granular data management.
- Tree planting monitoring: supporting basic tree health monitoring, including tree cover, tree density, and biodiversity.
- Survival models: developing and implementing tree survival models using satellite imagery and historical data.
- Carbon sequestration modeling: assisting in the development of carbon sequestration models to estimate and monitor carbon storage in selected sites.
Responsibilities
NbS Monitoring – Remote Sensing Specialist will:
- Work with ESRI surveys, including new developments and continuous improvement of current versions.
- Clean and verify spatial and non-spatial data for historical sites.
- Ensure GPS coordinates are within polygon boundaries and adjust data as needed.
- Individual trees (parameters) monitoring and analysing using remote sensing.
- Work on tree survival models by analyzing satellite data and field information.
- Develop carbon sequestration models to quantify carbon benefits from ARR and other projects.
- Collaborate with head of GIS and IT teams to provide accurate and updated data, as well as proper documentation and administartion of processes.
- Provide regular updates and reports on progress, risks, challenges, and solutions.
- Contribute to training and knowledge – preparation of the online guidance and e-learning module on spatial and non-spatial data and basic remote sensing.
Expected Outputs and Outcomes (12 months)
By Month 3-6:
- Draft guidelines for country offices on ensuring spatial and non-spatial data accuracy.
- Deliver online guidance and e-learning module on spatial and non-spatial data and basic remote sensing.
- Complete initial data cleaning of polygon areas and GPS coordinates for historical sites.
- Deliver a report on spatial and non-spatial data accuracy and areas for improvement.
- Provide recommendations for long-term remote-sensing monitoring and improvements.
- Develop survival models based on real-world data and satellite imagery inputs.
- Contribute to the development of basic NbS monitoring systems.
Expected Outcomes
By Month 9-12:
- Begin assisting and finalise the development of carbon sequestration models for AKDN sites.
- Produce a final report on spatial and non-spatial data accuracy, tree survival, and carbon sequestration outcomes (both AGB, BGB for Tree planting and regenerative farming).
The requirements
- Educational background: degree in Forestry, Environmental Remote Sensing, or a related field.
- GIS expertise of minimum 3-5 years: proficiency in GIS software (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS Online, Survey123, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) for data cleaning, mapping, and analysis.
- Data management: strong skills in handling large datasets, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Analytical skills: capacity to analyze geospatial data, produce meaningful insights, and develop models.
- Programming / deep learning: proficiency in Python for geospatial data analysis, automation, and model development. Experience in deep learning would be desirable (e.g. pytorch, tensorflow).
- Ability to work with non-GIS personnel and diverse team members, train them, and mentor them to ensure they can submit data in the desired format with the required level of accuracy.
- Proven remote sensing knowledge (minimum 3-5 years): experience with remote sensing techniques and software (e.g., Google Earth Engine, ENVI) for monitoring tree planting health and survival models.
- Satellite imagery interpretation: ability to interpret satellite images to track tree cover, tree health, and environmental changes.
- Carbon sequestration: prooven familiarity with carbon sequestration concepts and methodologies.
- Administrative capabilities: clearly document all processess, proper procedures and findings in place
Sector
Social Development
About the Agency
The Aga Khan Foundation is a leading global development organisation working to tackle the root causes of poverty. For more than 50 years, we have helped create strong community institutions that support sustainable, locally driven initiatives to improve the lives of millions of people. By combining local knowledge with global best practices, we strive to bring about transformative and long-lasting improvements to quality of life.
Working alongside the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and through partnerships with local communities, civil society and business as well as governments and international aid agencies, we are building a future where we all thrive together.
Region: Multiple
Salary: Salary and package to attract the best candidate
Job Expires: 07-Nov-2024
