Zoological Society of London Job Vacancy: GIS Officer - Palembang

The Zoological Society of London is an international wildlife conservation organization with a focus on science-based and pragmatic solutions. ZSL has been active in Indonesia for about 10 years, with a particular focus on the overlap between industrial development and biodiversity conservation. ZSL’s Indonesia is based in Bogor, West Java, with existing field projects in Jambi and South Sumatera. We are now looking for:

GIS Officer 

Terms and Condition
Start Date: September 01, 2015
Duration of Contract: One year fixed-term contract, with potential to extend
Work Area: Palembang with travel occasionally to ZSL Indonesia’s Head office in Bogor and as well as other regional offices/field sites will likely be required
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday from 09.00 am up to 05.00 pm
Reporting to: Head of Technical Support Unit
Key Internal Relationships: National Project Manager & Data Analyst
Other: There will be a degree of oversight of project/ZSL Indonesia’s GIS equipment and software

Key Purpose of the Job
A Geographical Information System (GIS) Officer is required to provide the required GIS services and support for the implementation of the ZSL Packard Integrated Landscape Project. Funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, this project aims to build and deliver a framework of transparency and accountability for the palm oil supply chain from source to market, driving a reduction in deforestation caused by the industry.

Main Responsibilities

• Take a lead role in developing, consolidating and standardising baseline spatial data relating to the project, including socio-economic, ecological, hydrological, land-use/land-cover change, High Carbon Stock (HCS), High Conservation Value (HCV), topographic, and satellite imagery data – towards producing high resolution field/baseline data necessary to monitor and manage the pilot landscape. This process will also include coordinating the collection of primary data under the project, analysing and consolidating it for further use by project managers; as well as gathering and analysing secondary data, landscape stakeholder data, and ‘community mapping’ of natural resources;. 
• Take a lead role in securing GIS data from project partners e.g. maps of concession, smallholder and mill sites from oil palm growers;
• Take a lead role in the processing and analysing of satellite imagery data;
• Take a lead role in conducting ground-truthing survey work for mapping (current remote sensing data lacks ground-truthing) and also coordinating participatory mapping;
• Take a lead role in developing land-use/land-cover change modelling, habitat suitability modelling, and hydrological modelling;
• Produce thematic maps relating to project needs;
• Provide the necessary technical and administrative support to project staff with regards to meeting project planning and reporting requirements, including donor and project partner reports;
• Ensure that spatial data of sufficient coverage and quality are available to support targeting and implementation of the project’s palm oil strategy, including attention to “legacy” issues;
• Assist with the provision of training to large groups of internal and external participants on the use of various GIS, Global Positioning System (GPS) and data collection processing and analysis tools. Participants of the training will mainly be landscape stakeholders including provincial and district level government land managers, oil palm companies, and community members;
• Provide ongoing post-training technical support as and when required to all participating stakeholders in order to ensure uptake of tools and correct long-term data collection/analysis;
• Provide coordination support and technical assistance in the implementation of the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) across the project pilot landscape, working with landscape stakeholders including Government and oil palm company management authorities;
• Other general project-related duties as and when required.

Building Relationships
The job requires constant internal and external interaction/communications, both in person and via phone and email, with ZSL staff colleagues in the Palembang office, and with local project partners (e.g. local Government parties) as well as with project colleagues in Bogor and ZSL’s Headquarters in London.

Mental Demands
The position will require close attention to detail and therefore concentration on the work in hand, precision and accuracy being vital attributes. 

Flexibility
The position will be relatively routine in terms of day-to-day tasks during office hours – however sometimes e.g. during field trips or when a workshop is being organised the next day, some flexibility in working hours may be required. 

Expectations of Job Holder

• To ensure that the policy for equality of opportunity is adhered to and promoted in all aspects of the post holder’s work;
• To ensure effective quality control and continuous improvement in all aspects of the work and responsibilities attached to this post;
• Demonstrate professionalism towards sensitive and confidential information;
• To comply with and promote Health and Safety policies and procedures and to undertake recommended Health and Safety training as and when necessary;
• To be committed to professional self-development, through participation in in-service training as necessary for the successful carrying out of the job;
• To undertake such other duties as are commensurate with the grade of the post.

NB: This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered.  It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in the job or the organisation. 

Person Specification 

A. Qualifications & Experience

• University degree in a related discipline e.g. statistics or geomatics; 
• Experience of processing and analysing various forms of satellite imagery/data;
• Experience of analysing GIS data resulting from field surveys;
• Experience of RADAR and LiDAR data processing;
• Experience of GIS Modelling using Model Builder or other GIS modelling tools;
• Ideally some experience of writing scientific reports and papers;
• Previous work for an international NGO is desirable;
• Previous work (directly or indirectly) with Government of Indonesia institutions would also be a strong advantage.

B. Knowledge

• Understanding of spatial databases and spatial planning; 
• Ideally a broad knowledge of Indonesia’s conservation issues.

C. Skills & Abilities

• Skilled in operating GIS and remote sensing data software e.g. ArcGIS, ENVI, ER Mapper, or ERDAS 
• Computer literacy (excellent IT skills); competent in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word, and other MS tools;
• Able to work independently without supervision but also accustomed to working in a team;
• Good communication skills;
• Preferably a high level of written and spoken English;
• Flexible and able to work under pressure and often to tight deadlines; including an ability to prioritise jobs;
• Highly motivated.

Application procedures
Please submit your application and curriculum vitae in English, relevant experience, past salary history, two referees not later than November 20, 2015, to indonesia@zsl.org, placing the job title in the subject line and label your CV with your name.

Only short listed candidates will be notified. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.