Call for CVs – GIS Internship At International Organization for Migration

Organizational Context and Scope

IOM established the Global Data Institute to harness the power of its data for operations, making meaning of global migration patterns, and providing foresight. The Global Data Institute capitalizes on synergies between its two units–the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and the Global Migration Data Analysis Center (GMDAC)–and collaborates with a network of regional data specialists to illuminate the global data story of human mobility.

The Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) has been the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) main operational tool for tracking and monitoring the movements and evolving needs of displaced populations since 2004. It has been systematically deployed in medium to large-scale humanitarian response operations in the last five years, including in all Level 3 emergencies. As of November 2023, DTM has been active in over 95 countries, tracking and monitoring over 14.5 million displaced persons worldwide.

The DTM Operations, Coordination and Support (OCS) Unit assembles expertise in operations and coordination, methodology and concept development, mapping and Geographic Information Systems, statistical analysis, database and application system development, and data and information management. The OCS provides a full range of support from the initial development and setup to continuous support on operations, staff deployment, data management, mapping, database systems, and development of information products. At the global level, the team is striving to enhance the DTM by providing technical expertise, supporting the integration of innovative technologies, improving capacity building components, and designing streamlined and harmonised processes.

Recent significant scale up of both DTM operations in the field and global development initiatives requires further strengthening of the global DTM OCS Unit to ensure effective and efficient implementation of global projects as well as to maintain and keep improving the quality and expansion of DTM in the field.

Under the overall supervision of the Human Displacement and Mobility Expert (Head of OCS) and the direct supervision of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Manager, the intern will assist with the operational activities of the Displacement Tracking Matrix team in Berlin, Germany.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Learning Objectives:

1. Develop full understanding of DTM metholdogies and spatial data management in IOM.
2. Develope technical skills on GIS mapping standards and tools used to support DTM operations at global, regional and country levels.
3. Build good knpowlodge on humaintrain spatial data analysis and the use of GIS tools in emergency conext.

Technical

1. Support Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) workflow including data collection, management, analysis and visualization through the provision of appropriate GIS/mapping tools and products.
2. Assist GIS officer with regular remote support to regional and country missions including production of different types of static maps such as atlas catalogs.
3. Support developing online interactive maps and web applications using different suites of licensed and open source tools.
4. Assist maintaining the IOM web geoportals for global teams and support GIS infrastructure (users, content, branding) for the IOM Geo Portal internal and external.
5. Provide input for demographic and geographic boundary information for various IOM databases for emergency response and DTM implementation.
6. Assist with developing, testing and deployment of standardized geodatabases for different DTM components and common operational datasets (CODs).
7. Support on development of Geo-AI tools (ESRI and/or Open source) for identification of shelters analysis
8. Conducting remote sensing analysis (satellite imagery and Sentinel imagery)
9. Developing code Google Earth Engine for environmental and natural disaster analysis

Teamwork

1. Assist GIS officer with enterprise data warehouse solution and ensure smooth dataflow from data warehouse to GIS solutions in cooperation with data management team.
2. Maintain current information management systems for global and regional data repositories.
3. Assist the Data Management team with data collection processes, query, analysis and the overall data management activities to ensure the common spatial data standards and structures are applied and data are managed properly throughout the data management cycle.
4. Assist with the preparation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) on spatial data infrastructure and geodatabases developed to ensure sustainability.

Project support

1. Assist and provide technical and strategic inputs into ongoing information management for external initiatives and partnerships.
2. Assist in administration of global licenses pool for desktop and online applications as well as regular monitoring and maintenance of geoserver deployments
3. Support development and maintain adherence to design standards for cartographic products in order to unify global, regional, country DTM outputs.
4. Perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

EDUCATION

• University degree in information systems, geography, cartography or a related field with concentration in technology applications. A master’s degree in any of these fields is preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Strong Experience in GIS tools specifically ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise and QGIS

SKILLS

• Strong knowledge in cartography and graphic design using Adobe Suite applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.);
• Knowledge in Database Information Systems development (SQL and Postgres), preferably in geographic data management and query builders;
• Knowledge of assessment and data collection apps (KOBO or ODK);
• knowledge of programming using one or more of the following languages: Python or Java is desirable
• Excellent writing, communication and analytical skills.
• Delivers on set objectives in hardship situations.
• Proven analytical skills and creative thinking.
• Excellent communication skills, efficiency, and flexibility.
• Attention to detail and quality and capacity to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of Google Earth Engine
• Knowledge of Geo-Ai tools

Languages

REQUIRED

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

DESIRABLE

knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).