Провідний/а фахівець/чиня з геоінформаційних систем та інформаційного менеджменту

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program / Department / Team

Mercy Corps’ Crisis Analysis teams aggregate and analyze data to improve decision making and access in complex crises. The teams support our programming in Syria, Lebanon, Democratic Republic of Congo and other locations. The teams directly contribute to data-driven decision making by layering information from primary sources, open sources and responders’ programmatic data, where it is analyzed by subject matter experts and data scientists. This analysis is grounded in Mercy Corps’ status as an operational NGO, keeping products constructive and relevant. Typical products and services range from informal briefings to weekly products, contributions to risk assessments, in-depth assessment of the political economy of a defined geography, deep-dives on specific thematics, etc., ranging in themes from conflict to market systems to governance, in line with programmatic needs.

In response to the complex humanitarian situation in Ukraine as well as the regional implications of this crisis, Mercy Corps established a Ukraine Crisis Analysis team (UACAT). In 2024, UACAT will expand its reach as a broker for operationally relevant analyses. The role of UACAT is one of guiding and influencing 1) decisionmakers at policy and advocacy levels, and 2) those within the development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian sectors who are implementing programs on the ground. The team will provide insight into the national and regional economic and social impacts of the war, as well as the impact on humanitarian operations in contexts that are particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of the war.

The Position

The GIS/IM Officer is a member of Mercy Corps’ Ukraine Crisis Analysis Team (UACAT) reporting directly to the UACAT Manager. The GIS/IM Officer is expected to support UACAT in conceiving and maintaining information management systems, such as databases, produce all maps and other bring up the team’s data visualization efforts.  The GIS/IM officer will also support research design and data analysis as required through the collection, treatment, and analysis of secondary sources of quantitative data. The Officer will also create and maintain structures necessary for GIS data storage.

The GIS/IM Officer will work closely with UACAT’s analysts to design, develop and implement GIS products and information systems that will facilitate the analysts’ use of data for UACAT outputs. The Officer will have knowledge of cartographic standards and demonstrate experience in using GIS software, such as QGIS, ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Pro. The Officer we are looking for is a highly motivated self-starter and proactive individual, with a willingness and ability to learn new technical skills and willing to think through creative ways of solving technical problems faced by the team. The Officer will actively engage in Crisis Analysis and data science communities of practice within Mercy Corps to problem solve and develop new solutions for application in the Ukraine context.

The GIS/IM Officer should have an interest in the Ukraine context and/or humanitarian programming. The Officer will be able to think innovatively about appropriate presentation of spatial data, create systems of information to easily handle open source and big data from a wide variety of sources to enhance UACAT’s expertise and strengthen the analysis and key messages UACAT wants to convey through a diverse range of products and to a variety of different audiences.

Essential Responsibilities

GIS / Information management

• Develop processes and best practices for the collection, storage and presentation of geospatial information.
• Develop processes and best practices for the collection, storage and presentation of quantitative data.
• Identify relevant sources of geospatial data for the Ukraine Crisis Analysis team.
• Create and maintain structures for GIS data storage.
• Develop maps and other data visualizations using QGIS or Esri ArcGIS platform products
• Develop quantitative data collection tools that are comprehensive and easily transferred to a data storage and analysis system, by using Kobo collect, google forms, and/or any Mercy Corps approved software (Commcare, ODK, etc.).
• Conduct geospatial analysis and proactively develop GIS solutions to support Analysts.
• Ensure accuracy, quality, and timeliness of GIS products.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Create information systems to store large sets of data for data aggregation and analysis
• Develop data visualizations using PowerBI and other software as relevant
• Identify relevant and credible sources of ready-to-use quantitative data
• Develop quantitative data collection tools that are comprehensive and easily transferred to a data storage and analysis system, by using Kobo collect, google forms, and/or any Mercy Corps approved software (Commcare, ODK, etc.).

Engagement

• Work closely with Senior analysts, Team leader, Global Crisis Analysis, and Data for Impact team to identify appropriate GIS solutions, based on understanding of UACAT strategy, audience needs, and changing context in Ukraine.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders as directed to increase understanding of mapping and visualization needs that will be useful for the Ukraine response.

Coordination

• Submit work in accordance with the team’s workplan and determined deadlines.
• Join and contribute to all team meetings and calls as required.
• Develop and maintain an awareness of the humanitarian response in Ukraine.
• Develop and maintain an awareness of humanitarian principles, international humanitarian law and Mercy Corps’ culture and values.
• Respond to different UACAT internal and external work streams requesting GIS and information management support at the same time.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by the response team and Global Security.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Ensure compliance with and implementation of Mercy Corps safeguarding measures.

Supervisory Responsibility: None.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: UACAT Manager, Ukraine Crisis Analysis Team.

Works Directly With: Ukraine Crisis Analysis Team Manager, Ukraine Crisis Analysis Analysts, Ukraine Response’s MEL team, Security and Humanitarian Access Team, Ukraine response team, Global Crisis Analysis team, Global Policy and Advocacy, Global Data for Impact Advisor, Technology for Development Team.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

Any skills you have gained through education, volunteer, work, or life experience that are relevant for the position will be considered. Be sure to fully explain transferable skills and success factors and how they apply to this position in your cover letter.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field such as IT, Geography, GIS, Data Analysis, Computer Science, Statistics, Software Engineering, Surveying or Urban Planning (or equivalent relevant work experience).
• Two or more years of work experience in GIS/IM, preferably in conflict analysis, humanitarian programming and research, reporting or related fields.
• Excellent geospatial analysis, visualization and information management skills.
• Ability to use and manipulate complex datasets. Experience with data processing is an asset.
• Web/App development knowledge is an asset
• Proven data analysis ability through R studio, GitHub, SQL, Power BI, Tableau, etc.
• Ability to understand audience needs and use GIS to innovatively present relevant information.
• Proficient in QGIS, ArcGIS Online and/or ArcGIS Pro. Knowledge of alternative GIS/IM tools is an asset.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office package (Word, Powerpoint), including advanced knowledge of Excel is required.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment with a high level of collaboration both in-person and remotely.
• Experience working within the development/humanitarian sector and understanding of humanitarian principles and the humanitarian system is an asset.
• A willingness to learn relevant technical skills on your own.
• Ability to communicate and create maps and visuals in English is required. Ability to communicate in Ukrainian and/or Russian is an asset.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will be a key member of a growing team where curiosity, critical thinking and the ability to see beyond the surface level are highly valuable. A professional attitude, demonstration of integrity, discretion and excellent work ethic are key aspects to the success of this new position. The GIS/IM Officer will have the ability to take initiative on projects and support multiple team members with mapping, visualization and information management. Strong time management, organizational skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are essential. Communication skills are imperative to developing positive relationships and working effectively with the rest of the analysis team.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

 We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.