GIS Consultant at Creative Associates International

Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic development and post-crisis stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.  

Project Summary:

The objective of the West Africa Trade and Investment Hub Activity (The Trade Hub) is to improve private sector competitiveness with a focus on increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria and promoting West Africa’s regional and international trade. The Activity comprises of three main components: (i) design of a Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships; (ii) administration of the Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and (iii) technical assistance (TA) that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve USAID’s trade and food security objectives. The Trade Hub contributes to both USAID/Nigeria’s Feed the Future objectives related to increasing the agricultural competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria as well as USAID/West Africa’s objective to increase broad-based growth and resilience.

Position Summary:

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Consultant will provide support to the MEL Director to design and implement the overall Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan for the Trade Hub. He/She will design digital maps using geospatial data and analyze spatial and non-spatial information for the Trade Hub. This is a part time consultancy position and will be required to work an average of 8 days a month.

Reporting & Supervision:

The GIS Consultant will report to the MEL Director and work closely with the Senior Director, Design Monitoring and Evaluation based in the Washington, D.C. office.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop processes, tools, and templates to facilitate collection of high-quality spatial data aligning with USAID’s data quality criteria.
• Train and manage MEL and technical staff to collect, enter, and verify M&E location-based data in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Research and test the accuracy and quality of new geospatial data sources for inclusion in an agricultural monitoring web platform and ad hoc geospatial analysis products;
• Produce high quality maps using various mapping tools;
• Conduct geospatial analysis (raster and vector) in support of agricultural monitoring;
• Create and update GIS data metadata.
• Translate analysis results to reports, slides and developer workflows; and
• Follow and establish new workflows based on data, analysis, developer and end-user requirements;
• Coordinate geospatial based program evaluation design and research.
• Contribute maps and GIS information for reports, assessments, findings from evaluations.
• Perform Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) procedure on location data from Creative web-based platform, MEDAL.
• Design and conduct spatial analysis to support M&E indicator reporting, including providing geo-located data and spatial products on applicable project indicators.
• Prepare customized GIS databases and create maps for field staff and institutional partners; and
• Perform other GIS related duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

·       Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Planning, or GIS, other relevant subject and/or equivalent combination of education and work experience is required. Master’s degree in any of these field will be an advantage.

• Minimum of five (5) years in relevant position/experience in international development programming and implementing GIS/M&E systems for U.S. Government-funded projects.
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative analytical geographic software such as ArcGIS, or STATA;
• Demonstrated experience in the application of spatial analysis to land use, land use change, or land planning;
• Demonstrated experience with qualitative and data visualization software such as ATLAS;
• Experience in digital drafting, geographic information system design, implementation and management;
• Extensive proficiency with ESRI suite of software products, specifically Python, scripting for ArcGIS (ArcPy), ArcGIS, ArcOnline, and Model Building;
• Proficiency with Internet/Intranet based GIS Solutions.
• Experience working with international donors, as well as counterparts and beneficiaries (e.g., international and local NGOs and government representatives); Knowledge of M&E approach of other, non-U.S. donor or Agencies);
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork; and
• Proficiency in written and spoken French and English required.