Geospatial Analyst – Asia-Pacific Regional Hub – REMOTE At Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team

Overview

Work Location: Remote, within Asia-Pacific region
Application Close Date: October 22, 2021
Estimated Start date: December 1, 2021
Department: Asia-Pacific Regional Hub
Reports to: Asia-Pacific Regional Director
Terms: Full time, one year initial contract (subject to renewal)
Travel: Around 40% within the region

About the Open Mapping Hub – Asia-Pacific (AP Hub)

The AP Hub is one of four regional open mapping hubs supported by the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team. The purpose of the AP Hub is to serve the OpenStreetMap movement in the Asia-Pacific region; provide decentralized support and services to the OpenStreetMap local communities; power the evolution and growth of OpenStreetMap data; and play a significant role in creating sustainable OSM ecosystems in the region in order to maximize the impact both for improved humanitarian and social impact. The AP Hub’s vision is to “create a sustainable OSM ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region” and aspires for the following: (1) Government, humanitarian and development agencies commonly use OSM data in their planning and decision-makings; (2) Underrepresented people actively participate in the OSM movement; (3) OSM data used as the most preferred choice in entrepreneurial and economic activities; and (4) OSM is the most popular map service among citizens. We work in 25 priority countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

About HOT

Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) sits at the nexus of participatory mapping, community-led development, humanitarian response, open data and tech. With a talented and diverse team spread around the globe, HOT is an NGO which supports a dynamic global community of thousands of dedicated volunteers using maps and open data for humanitarian response and the Sustainable Development Goals. Working with humanitarian and development partners like the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, UN agencies, governments and others, the HOT community maps in solidarity with those affected by or at risk of disaster, contributing the maps and data aid workers need to do their lifesaving work.

In 2020 the work of the HOT community was recognized by TED’s Audacious Project, a collaborative philanthropic initiative that serves as a springboard for social impact on a grand scale, leading to an exciting new phase of growth. HOT is expanding its activities: opening four regional hubs and scaling up its support to local mapping communities with the audacious goal of mapping an area home to one billion people in 94 countries at high risk of disasters or experiencing poverty – mapping with communities before they are in crisis.

Role Profile

The Geospatial Analyst will be the technical position at the AP Hub and will be responsible for ensuring that OpenStreetMap data is effectively used in a wide range of applications across the region. Reporting to the Hub Regional Director, this role will have wide and varied responsibilities including identifying OSM data use cases, pinpointing pain points in organizational workflow and defining how OSM data can address them, supporting partners with geospatial technology and data products, and designing and developing map visualizations for various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have a combination of solid geospatial technology and analytical skills.

The Hub typically works with a range of international and national partners (government, NGO, and civil society). Our projects range across various sectors and typically focus on participatory mapping using OpenStreetMap, data analysis and map-based storytelling, and training/capacity building of national and international partner organizations.

This is a full-time position based in the Asia-Pacific region, and the selected candidate will be required to travel extensively within the region. The successful candidate must be willing to work in a small startup-like team, spend extended periods of time in the field understanding local context in which the data and map products have to be situated as well as work in evenings and weekends.

Key Responsibilities

Study workflows in partner organizations and capture their contextual details to identify pain-points from a map data perspective
Analyze and process OSM data and develop innovative data/map products that address the needs of a wide range of partners
Evaluate the quality of data and assess its fit-for-purpose
Participate in information management working group meetings representing the Hub, and provide the necessary support in presenting the relevant GIS data
Co-design necessary data collection and analysis tools. Organise and manage data input at the server from data collection forms
Write compelling data use case stories
Technical report writing
Support the Partnership and Disaster Services Managers in technical conversations and translate those conversations into more tangible data products and services
Support the growth of the OpenStreetMap volunteer community in the region
Support in establishing a local OpenStreetMap server and provide support for all agencies using OpenStreetMap data
Assist the OpenStreetMap Trainer in developing an appropriate curriculum for trainings as well as support all training activities to ensure new mappers are doing high quality work
Proactively gather information/data from government, relevant partners, and other organisations which may be of use in OpenStreetMap
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Essential

Proven technical skills with the OpenStreetMap platform and tools
Extensive geospatial technology and data analysis experience, including remote sensing, field data collection
Interest and ability to study, analyze and understand data use context, and use that understanding to inform the design of right data products and services
Passionate about humanitarian & development work demonstrated through prior professional or volunteer experiences
Demonstrated passion on participatory data collection methods and community involvement, preferably using OpenStreetMap
Possess some degree of statistical data analysis skills
Strong organisational and interpersonal skills
Curiosity and learning attitude
Experience running training sessions, workshops or teaching
Proven track to work independently plan and lead activities
Excellent analytical and decision making skills, and ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
Willingness to travel and work in challenging environments with limited amenities and be in the field for extended periods of time
Hold a university or college degree in Geography, GIS, Urban Planning, Computer Science, or a related field. Ideally but not necessarily an advanced degree.
Experience in open data projects and/or open source software development
Enthusiastic about working in small, focussed startup like environment
Ability to work in multicultural work environment
Care deeply about the Ap Hub’s vision and aspirations
Fluent in written and spoken English

Desirable

Fluent in one or more language/s within the Asia Pacific region
Demonstrated experience developing teams, especially volunteer groups
Experience working with dispersed virtual teams operating in many locations
Experience designing and carrying out community mapping exercises, including collecting data, teaching data quality assurance, collaborating with various stakeholders, and building capacity in partner organizations
Experience with data visualization tools and making dashboards
Demonstrated understanding of open source culture and ethos
Existing network of contacts in the Asia-Pacific region

Compensation

HOT values transparency and equity. All HOT compensation globally is set according to a framework detailed on our website. HOT offers a work-from-anywhere culture, flexible working arrangements, health care options, and paid time off for those on an employment contract.

Equal Opportunity

We seek to recruit persons that reflect the diversity of the communities we work with and further, to support their retention and advancement within the organization. HOT does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. Our staff includes people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives on the world. HOT is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to live our values and promote inclusivity in all locations. All of our staff work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of all is valued and respected.

HOT is committed to diversity within our team, and recognizes our role in closing the digital divide, including identifying obstacles that certain groups face in developing skills needed for roles in the humanitarian & technology sectors. Women, nationals of developing countries, and members of other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.