GIS Officer-Sudan Full Time NEW

Position: GIS Officer-Sudan
Duty Station: Nairobi
Starting Date: January 2026
Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Duration: 5 Months

REACH is a joint initiative of two INGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED). REACH purpose is to promote efficient, inclusive and integrated local planning, aid response and service delivery in areas affected by crisis*.* AGORA is a localized approach for assessing needs, planning response and coordinating interventions in crisis affected territories. AGORA approach aims at 1) developing multi-stakeholder-are-based recovery stabilization plans; 2) promoting citizens and civil society engagement; 3) provide technical assistance to local institutional actors; 3) support the implementation of settlement recovery and stabilization plans.

COUNTRY PROFILE

Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in Khartoum on 15 April 2023 and spread quickly across the country. Civilians have fled areas affected by fighting in large numbers, including to Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. Prices of food, fuel and other basic goods have skyrocketed skyrocketing, making critical goods unaffordable for many people. Half of Sudan’s population are in need of humanitarian assistance, and the country is on the verge of a catastrophic hunger crisis. Humanitarian organizations are racing to respond to the most pressing needs wherever and whenever feasible, with access issues complicating the ability of actors to respond. In this fast-evolving context, IMPACT Initiatives is working to inform the emergency response to enable effective prioritization with scarce resources.

We are currently looking for a GIS Officer to support our team in Sudan who are based in Kampala, Uganda

Assignment

Under the line management of the GIS manager and the supervision of the Research Manager, the GIS Officer will be responsible for the design of data processes (including GIS data), the management of large sets of data, and primarily supporting of the team with data-related tasks, including cleaning, analysis, reporting, and automating recurring tasks. He/she will also be asked to support on designing data collection tools that include a GIS component, ensuring (spatial) data quality, geo-spatial analysis, drafting of maps, and (as relevant) production of web maps and information management systems. Detailed requirements below.

He/she will also be asked to provide technical inputs in all stages of the research cycle. He/she ensures an efficient and transparent use of resources required for project implementation.

Functions

GIS ACTIVITIES

1. Preparation, conception and production of maps

• Identify map information needs.
• Identify and access map information sources.
• Ensure accurate linkages between spatial databases and assessment data,
• Ensures that the produced maps meet the requirements of REACH and concerned partners.

2. Supervision and monitoring of mapping related data collection

• Conceptualize methodologies for collecting data in the field, as according to need;
• Organize and supervise GIS field missions;
• Monitor accuracy of data collected.
• Cross check data collected in the field, ensure regular updates and solve eventual discrepancies;

3. GIS product conceptualizing

• Implementation GIS components in approved projects and developing map templates;
• Contribute to the strategic and programmatic development of the country team

4. GIS capacity training

• Develop internal training for assessment, and where relevant ACTED staff on data management, GIS and mapping

DATABASE/DATA MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

The REACH GIS Officer will manage the maintenance of database(s) for the consolidation of all assessment-related and GIS data in country. He/she will ensure the capitalization of tools and procedures related to mapping and databases. Furthermore, he/she will support the assessment team in the collection and management of spatial datasets, verification and update of the collected data. He/she will monitor the accuracy of collected data.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

The REACH GIS Specialist will contribute towards the identification and implementation of effective and adapted technical solutions and partnerships. The REACH GIS Specialist will provide technical backstopping of database to GIS/DB team and provide capacity-building to GIS/DB team related to database maintenance and advanced GIS techniques. He/she will also support the collection of spatial datasets and integration with REACH activities. The GIS/Data specialist will also contribute to drafting and implementation of a high-level GIS and Data management strategy.

RESEARCH DESIGN

In collaboration with the in-country assessment team, and under the supervision of the GIS Specialist, the Data/GIS Specialist will be responsible for providing support to the design of AGORA. This includes:

• Mapping and analysing secondary data in coordination with the assessment officer(s);
• Contributing to the drafting of the assessment ToRs with a specific focus on the analysis plan, and related mapping, as well as data management plan;
• Supporting the development of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, ensuring GIS requirements of the assessment are met;
• In coordination with relevant assessment officer(s), support construction of quantitative sample and qualitative checks.

RESEARCH IMPLEMENTATION

Under the supervision of the Senior GIS Officer, in collaboration with the assessment and field teams, the Data/GIS Officer will be asked, to support the implementation of data collection, regarding:

• Tool design and testing;
• Training of enumerators for primary data collection and technical support during data collection if needed;
• Oversight of data collection, in line with agreed TORs, including data quality checks, cleaning, spatial verification and validation as part of daily assessment checks;
• Ensure that collected data is properly geo-referenced, enabling the production of maps and related products.

EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

• Promote active use of datasets and research findings by partners and the broader humanitarian community for their decision making.
• After validation by line manager, present research findings to relevant third parties in order to enhance their use and impact;
• Ensure that all partner engagement and all external relations are clearly documented and communicated with the line manager and relevant colleagues.
• More generally, contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organization, notably through the application of IMPACT’s mandate, ethics, values and standpoint with regard to other actors.

OUTPUT PRODUCTION

In collaboration with the in-country assessment team and the Report unit at IMPACT HQ (Geneva), the Data/GIS specialist will be responsible for producing and/or overseeing the production of Data/GIS products (datasets, dashboards, maps), which comply with IMPACT’s guidelines. This includes:

• Ensure that all Data/GIS products are validated by IMPACT HQ before external release;
• When relevant, in close coordination with IMPACT HQ, support the regular maintenance and update of web GIS products;
• Liaise with IMPACT HQ on the procurement of UNOSAT services and satellite imagery.

DATA CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROTECTION

The GIS Specialist will maintain the strictest confidentiality on all data collected and related processes, ensuring full compliance with IMPACT’s data protection policy and SOPs. He/she will actively take measures to prevent the unauthorized sharing of any information and data belonging to IMPACT and its partners, or collected during his/her assignment with IMPACT.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION

• Master degree in a relevant discipline (Geography, Geomatics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Management Systems, Statistics, Mathematics, etc.). Or, Bachelor’s degree in GIS or related discipline with additional relevant work experience;
• 3 year of experience in GIS/Database/Remote sensing, preferably in humanitarian context;
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Proficient knowledge of QGIS/ArcGIS;
• Experience with cleaning and analysing large datasets required;
• Strong skills in Excel required;
• Good understanding of various sampling frameworks;
• Experience with or willingness to learn on R software;
• Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;
• Ability to work independently;
• Written and spoken fluency in English required;
• Experience with or willingness to learn: ArcGIS Online environment, FME, Google Earth Engine, OpenStreet Map, R, and/or Tableau;
• Experience with or willingness to learn: Kobo, ODK or similar mobile data collection tools.