Geospatial Data Scientist

About Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization established for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of safer communities and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1986 as a technical capacity-building center, ADPC has grown and expanded its role to be for scientific, educational, developmental, and humanitarian purposes. ADPC employs an effective range of professional expertise typically required for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate resilience (CR).

ADPC develops and implements cross-sectoral projects/programs on the strategic themes of risk governance, urban resilience, climate resilience, health risk management, preparedness for response, and resilient recovery. Our strategic themes are complemented and underpinned by the cross-cutting themes of gender and diversity, regional and transboundary cooperation, and poverty and livelihoods.

Through its work, ADPC supports the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the agenda defined at the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016, and other relevant international frameworks.

For details, please refer to the ADPC website at http://www.adpc.net/

Department Introduction:

The Geospatial Information Department supports stakeholders in increasing their use of geospatial technology, data, and information to support decision-making related to disaster risk management and climate resilience. The department supports all thematic areas of focus of ADPC to achieve their goals, mainly through:

• Increased accessibility and technical capacity to develop, maintain, and use geospatial information, including disaster and climate risk maps, forecasted and real-time disaster data for early warning, and damage data for post-disaster assessment and recovery planning,
• Increased awareness by decision-makers on applications of geospatial information in disaster risk management and climate resilience decision-making and
• Geospatial solutions, such as maps, tools, models, and data, customized to the demands of stakeholders

The Geospatial Information Department leads the SERVIR Southeast Asia (SERVIR SEA), a 5-year project co-created by USAID, NASA, and ADPC to address Southeast Asia's disaster and climate resilience and environmental issues. SERVIR SEA’s objective is to expand and Scaled Climate Actions by using Satellite Data and Geospatial Information in decision-making, which will be achieved through the following outcomes:

1. Regional platform(s) strengthened and established for accelerating, scaling, and sustaining adoption of data and information
2. Increased investment from diversified partnerships with stakeholders to support the development and use of data and information
3. Increased accessibility of data and information
4. Strengthened capacity of Stakeholders to use data and information

Enhancing Anticipatory Actions for Disaster and Climate Resilience of SERVIR SEA aims to reduce the loss of lives and damage to properties and crops from floods and droughts by improving early warnings using satellite data and geospatial information. Anticipatory action (AA) involves using climate services and risk analyses to predict where crises might strike. AA can then take action to prevent or mitigate impacts before disasters occur. SERVIR SEA helps multiple regional and national organizations associated with disaster management to make informed decisions ahead of a humanitarian crisis.

SERVIR SEA will conduct analyses related to the uses of satellite data and geospatial information to

1. Develop and implement an Impact-based Early Warning system for flood and Drought using earth observation data in the SEA region,
2. Develop a drought & flood Crop impact forecasting system for key food security crops,
3. Develop machine learning algorithms for mapping flood inundation areas in the SEA region.

ADPC seeks a qualified employee capable of processing remote sensing data using machine learning for weather, climate, and water related applications to support the delivery of the above work.

Statement of Intent:

The Geospatial Data Scientist will primarily support the development of an impact-based early warning system for floods and droughts and apply deep machine learning to map flood inundation areas in the SEA region. The Geospatial Data Scientist will work closely and take inputs from the SERVIR SEA Weather and Climate Resilience thematic lead to implement the regional service Enhancing Anticipatory Actions for Disaster and Climate Resilience of the SERVIR SEA.

Note:

This description does not intend to cover every aspect of the position requirements but rather to highlight the areas of critical personal and joint responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Responsibilities:

• Employ advanced geospatial analytics and statistical techniques to analyze large-scale datasets related to drought and flood patterns.
• Support the development of predictive models and algorithms to forecast and identify potential areas susceptible to droughts and floods.
• Applying machine and deep learning for flood inundation mapping using earth observation products.
• Support a comprehensive vulnerability assessment to identify populations, infrastructure, and ecosystems most susceptible to drought and flood impacts.
• Utilize GIS (Geographic Information System) tools and remote sensing data for spatial analysis and visualization.
• Manage geospatial databases and ensure data integrity, quality, and accessibility for internal and external stakeholders.
• Integrate various data sources, including satellite imagery, climate models, and ground-based sensor data, to enrich geospatial analyses and modeling efforts.
• Conduct research studies to enhance understanding of the spatial dynamics of drought and flood occurrences, contributing to academic or industry publications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hydrologists, climatologists, policymakers, and GIS specialists, to develop comprehensive solutions.
• Effectively communicate complex geospatial analyses and findings to technical and non-technical audiences through reports, presentations, and visualizations.
• Conduct quality assurance checks to validate the accuracy and reliability of geospatial models and data-driven insights.
• Participate and deliver Google Earth Engine training for partners in the region. Provide technical support to the Geospatial Information Department on training courses, workshops, and other capacity-building activities in the planning, delivery, and follow-up, as needed
• Travel as needed to Southeast Asian countries to coordinate implementing activities related to ADPC programs.

Corporate Responsibilities:

• Provide technical inputs in developing training courses, workshops, and other capacity-building activities for other ADPC projects and activities
• Represent ADPC in meetings/workshops/events, as requested by the Director, Geospatial Information
• Conduct training and seminars to enhance the internal geospatial capacity and communications of ADPC staff
• Proactively support other departments to increase the uses of geospatial science in ADPC projects and activities
• Participate in technical and management meetings related to ADPC programs

This job description covers the general responsibilities and representative tasks of this position. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to program priorities and needs.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Integrity: In all aspects of work, the employee demonstrates the highest level of commitment and respect for persons of concern to ADPC, partners, and colleagues. The employee ensures that personal and professional behavior is of the highest standard.
• Diversity Awareness: The ability to embrace the uniqueness of all individuals along several dimensions, such as race, religious beliefs, ethnicity, age, gender, physical abilities, political beliefs, socio-economic status, disability, political conviction, or any other distinguishing features.
• Equality Awareness: Understands that each individual has an equal opportunity to make decisions, participate in social activities, perform any work at the organization, and make the most of their life and talents.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Works constructively within and across teams to achieve shared objectives. Effectively collaborates with colleagues and partners. Fosters a positive and collaborative environment.

Geospatial Information Department Functional Competencies:

• Results Orientation: Focuses on delivering agreed results through effectively managing internal and external resources to achieve results. Demonstrates a commitment to both personal and organizational excellence, with an emphasis on results.
• Proactivity/Self-motivation: Keeps abreast of new developments and actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally. Recognizes the importance of continuous improvement for a more effective and efficient working environment. Creates a learning culture.
• Creativity and Innovation: Demonstrates and encourages the development of new ideas/ approaches in own work area. Proposes changes that will improve organizational and staff performance to a common goal.
• Analytical Problem-Solving Skills: Displays analytical thinking by identifying, defining, and analyzing information, situations, and problems. Arrives at viable solutions through a variety of approaches. Demonstrates critical thoughts, a systematic review of implications, intuition, and rational conclusions.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications and Specifications

The Geospatial Data Scientist will have the following minimum qualifications:

• At least Bachelor's degree in Earth or computer science
• At least four years of experience using remote sensing in Hydrology or natural resource management-related fields.
• Strong programming skills, experience working with Python, Google Earth Engine, R
• Fluent English writing and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of the development context of the SEA region is considered a plus;
• Enthusiastic for research, good teamwork, and a good collaborator.
• Excellent interpersonal and people management skills with experience working in multicultural environments;
• Work experience in Southeast Asian Countries considered favorably;
• Willingness to commit to further training and development as required.

Reporting and Relationships:

The Geospatial Data Scientist will report to the SERVIR SEA Weather and Climate Resilience Theme Lead. They will work closely with the scientists and the service leads of SERVIR SEA.