GIS and Information Management Expert - Consultant at MapAction

Background:

MapAction is a humanitarian mapping charity that provides geospatial information and analysis services to enhance decision making in crises. Working through a network of skilled volunteers and technical experts, MapAction supports humanitarian partners to better understand needs, vulnerabilities and response gaps. 

Under the joint H2H funded project, MapAction, iMMAP Inc., and CartONG are combining their technical capacities to strengthen the Syrian humanitarian data ecosystem. The consortium aims to empower local civil society organisations, the Syrian NGO Forums and Humanitarian Country Team through: 

• Coordinated capacity building and peer mentorship
• Delivery of IM, GIS and analytical support services, and
• Promotion of responsible data practices and local ownership of information systems

Main purpose of the role: To strengthen information management and geospatial analysis capacities among humanitarian partners in Syria through the delivery of technical assistance, analytical products and training, contributing to improved evidence-based coordination and decision making

Objectives of the consultancy 

• Provide expert IM and GIS support for the design, delivery and documentation of project outputs
• Contribute to the development of a unified humanitarian data package for Syria 
• Facilitate capacity strengthening of Syrian CSOs and coordination actors through facilitation of troubleshooting workshops 
• Ensure consistent and responsible data management practices across partners
• Support collaborative analysis and visualisation products that inform humanitarian decision-making

Activities of the consultancy 

1. Needs assessment and data ecosystem review 

• Support the consortium’s initial review of existing data systems and coordination structures.
• Conduct consultations with CSOs and humanitarian actors to identify IM/GIS needs and gaps.
• Contribute the the drafting of the the needs assessment report, summarising findings and recommendations

1. Rollout of the humanitarian data package

• Support the rollout of MapAction humanitarian data package to local partners
• Assist in establishing feedback and data validation mechanisms with CSOs and coordination structures 
• Promote the data package in-country and train key local stakeholders on using it

1. Capacity Building and Technical Mentoring 

• Provide troubleshooting support and mentoringship through helpdesk services and peer learning forums 
• Contribute to documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and success stories to be shared with the humanitarian community

1. Analytical support and visualisation 

• Produce high quality analytical and visualisation products (maps, dashboards, reports etc) for help desk partners 
• Contribute to targeted analytical briefs, situational updates and thematic maps responding to coordination priorities
• Provide surge IM/ analysis capacity upon request from consortium or coordination partners 

Roles and responsibilities

• Report directly to Head of Capacity Strengthening and Emergency Response (MapAction HQ) with operational coordination with iMMAP Inc. and CartONG representatives
• Participate in regular coordination meetings with consortium partners
• Adhere to MapAction’s standards on data responsibility, protection and ethical information management 
• Maintain close collaboration with national partners and ensure capacity development components are locally led 

Timing, place and duration 

The consultancy will run for 6 months, with an anticipated start date of mid-November. The consultant will be based in Damascus, Syria and the position will be home based, with potential travel to partner offices as required. 

We will be interviewing on a rolling basis so encourage you to contact us quickly to be shortlisted.