OpenStreetMap Trainer – Asia-Pacific Regional Hub – REMOTE At Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team

Overview

• Work Location: Remote, within Asia-Pacific region
• Application Close Date: October 15, 2021
• Estimated Start date: November 15, 2021
• Department: Asia-Pacific Regional Hub
• Reports to: Asia-Pacific Regional Director
• Terms: Full time, one year initial contract
• 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 create sustainable community ecosystems in the region 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.

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

This role will be responsible for planning, designing and executing rigorous training activities on OpenStreetMap, QGIS, and other related technologies. The role will emphasize on training the trainers from various local communities across Asia-Pacific towards creating a sustainable OSM ecosystem in the region. You will work closely with other Hub teammates e.g. Partnership Manager, Community Manager, Disaster Service Manager. You will be responsible for designing and executing both basic and advanced training, supporting government staff, organizing mapathons, and contributing to the growth of the OSM community in the region.

The AP Hub typically works with a range of international and national partners (government, NGO, and civil society), Projects range across various sectors and typically focus on participatory mapping using OpenStreetMap, data analysis and 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 leading training activities, and work evenings and weekends as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify training needs, design curricula, and develop training materials (or tailor the existing materials) in coordination with the Hub’s Community Manager, Partnership Manager and/or Disaster Services Manager.
• Lead both introductory and advanced level training on OpenStreetMap, QGIS and other relevant technologies to OSM community members, government agencies, corporate partners, humanitarian actors, and other interested groups.
• Coordinate and support the work of volunteer trainers from OSM communities across the Asia-Pacific region.
• Liaise and collaborate with partner organizations and government agencies to schedule and organize regular trainings and mapathons.
• Develop region-wide training strategies.
• Support the GIS Analyst and Data Quality Engineer in developing systems and strategies to monitor the quality of all mapping work being done in the region to ensure it is of the highest quality possible.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Essential

• Care deeply about the AP Hub’s vision and aspirations.
• Passionate about humanitarian & development work demonstrated through prior professional or volunteer experiences.
• Extensive experience training and working with the OpenStreetMap platform and tools.
• Extensive GIS experience, especially with QGIS. Experience in GIS and spatial data analysis, including remote sensing and imagery.
• Extensive experience running training sessions, workshops and teaching.
• Clear vision of OSM capacity building in the region.
• Proven ability to work independently and lead activities.
• Excellent analytical and decision making skills, and ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and experience working in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity.
• 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, Disaster Risk Management, Urban Planning, Computer Science, Education, or a related field. Ideally but not necessarily an advanced degree.
• Experience in open data projects and/or open source software development.
• Enthusiastic in working in startup ventures.
• 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 teams.
• Experience working with dispersed virtual teams operating in many locations and the project management technologies required to do so effectively.
• Experience designing and carrying out community mapping exercises, including: collecting data, using OpenStreetMap, teaching data quality assurance, collaborating with various stakeholders, and building capacity in partner organizations.
• Experience in data analysis and information management. Experience in participatory data collection, preferably using mobile, digital data collection tools such as Kobo, OpenDataKit, and OpenMapKit.
• Experience with data visualization tools and making dashboards, such as Power BI.
• Experience developing self-sufficient and sustainable community groups, including developing technical skill-set.
• Some degree of statistical data analysis skills.
• 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.