The World Resources Institute (WRI) is seeking a full time Associate based in Washington D.C. to lead the GIS, remote sensing, database and web site components of its forest initiative work in Central Africa. The GIS/RS Associate will be responsible for leading the design and development of all technical components of the WRI-led Strengthening Central Africa Environmental Management and Policy Support (SCAEMPS) program, as part of USAID’s Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Republic of Congo (RoC). As a key member of the Global Forest Watch (GFW) team, the GIS/RS Associate will also lead limited activities across other Congo Basin countries, as well as ensuring a functional interface between national level technical systems in the Congo Basin and the GFW platform. In addition to purely technical work, the GIS/RS Associate will play a major role in developing regional strategy for the Congo Basin, as well as supporting funding applications. The GIS/RS Associate will report directly to the Manager for Africa Forests and work in close support and collaboration with colleagues in Central Africa, as well as the rest of WRI’s Forest Team (based in DC and around the world). See: http://www.gfw-beta.org/ and http://www.wri.org/project/interactive-forest-atlas-cameroon for examples of WRI’s Central Africa Forests work.
* Lead design, development and support implementation of the technical components of the WRI-led USAID-SCAEMPS program in the DRC and RoC
* Serve as main technical focal point between global GFW platform and national forest information management systems in Central Africa
* Support ground validation of GFW derived forest change alerts (and other relevant data) in collaboration with colleagues and partners in Central Africa
* Lead analysis of forest data and information to respond to key opportunities
* Identify and advance new lines of research and analysis relevant to the initiative’s strategy
* Develop training material and support training of a small team of WRI and partner technicians working across Central Africa
* Produce, review, and edit communications materials, and other written outputs consistent with WRI’s high standard of quality
* Perform quality control and documentation of GIS/RS data products coming from WRI’s work in Central Africa
* Co-lead the development of GIS/RS methodologies for WRI’s Central Africa Forest Team and partners across Congo Basin
* Manage technical work with WRI’s contractors
* Represent the initiative to partners and stakeholders through meetings and presentations
* Travel to Central Africa and elsewhere in support of activities implementation
* Support fundraising activities and other duties
* Graduate degree in natural resource management, geography, forest ecology or other relevant field
* Advanced expertise in GIS (knowledge of ESRI environment a must), remote sensing and database design/management and significant knowledge of code (e.g. java, python, PostgreSQL, MySQL), with minimum 2-4 years of experience in field
* Superb analytical and strategic thinking skills
* Strong written and oral communication skills
* Ability to write in an organized, clear and articulate manner in French
* Ability to communicate clearly and compellingly to a wide range of audiences within Central Africa, in English and French
* Ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities and to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines
* Results focused, works effectively both independently and within a team environment, as well as the ability to work well under pressure
* Knowledge of land use and forest sector in Central Africa
* Has lived and worked in Africa on forest management related issues, preferably in a Congo Basin country
* Possesses a work authorization for the United States
* Commitment to WRI’s mission and institutional values
* Final candidates will be required to take a writing test
**Salary and benefits**
Salary is commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package.
**Location**
Washington, DC
**Qualified applicants should apply online at ****www.wri.org/careers**. All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered.** **
*The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org/wri) 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 preference, parental 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.*
**About WRI**
The World Resources Institute is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRI’s transformative ideas protect the earth and promote development because sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations in the future.
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*Date:* 2014-02-27
*Country:* US
*State:* DC
*City:* Washington
*Postal Code:* 20002
*Category:* Food, Forest, and Water (FFW)
*Job Type:* Regular Full-Time