Assistant Research Officer (gis)
Reference Number: ARO-GIS-121118
Employment Type: Full time
Category: Research-GIS
Job Grade: 6.01
Country: Kenya
Location: Nairobi
JOB PURPOSE:
Population Health Unit
Within the scope Population Health Unit, we aim to understand changing epidemiology of malaria, develop metrics for monitoring trends in malaria morbidity and evaluating the impacts of malaria interventions. Our work also seeks to expand the understanding of physical access to health services in sub-Saharan Africa. We are also interested in better understanding the determinants of health transitions and vulnerabilities at fine scales, and work towards embedding the use of data science for decision-making by national ministries.
Population health unit would like to recruit three Assistant Research Officers (GIS) to assemble and analyze various spatial data. The post holders will work closely with various scientists within the Population health team.
Description:
REPORTS TO: Principal Investigator/s,
BUDGET AND RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY: None
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assembly of a library of geographic data from a variety of sources including surveys, censuses, field observation, climate derived indices from satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
- Support the assembly of long term data from DHIS2 Software Platform
- Conduct local and online data searches to locate and obtain new cluster-level databases from household surveys e.g. MEASURE DHS, UNICEF, and IPUMS, GoK website covering low- and middle income countries.
- Reconstruct and harmonise various Geographic Information System to common formats and spatial references matching various national and subnational boundaries.
- Support the assembly of population data and other health related metrics e.g. access
- Provide support for geo-spatial mapping of various health metrics, indicators and health data using suitable Geographic Information Software – ArcGIS or open source software (GRASS or R)
- Create and maintain a library of spatial databases as well as metadata of all assembled datasets
- Contribute to the scientific outputs at the programme through participation and presentation at local conferences, scientific meetings, seminars and journal clubs.
General Duties
- Conduct basic analyses linking data and produce maps and well as geographic statistics to incorporate into scientific documents and reports.
- Design and update databases, applying additional knowledge of spatial feature representations.
- Enter new map data by direct input of coordinate information using the principles of cartography including coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales.
- Analyze geographic relationships among varying types of data.
- Prepare metadata and other documentation.
- Operate and maintain GIS hardware, software.
- Retrieve stored maps.
- Provide routine GIS support for mapping and geo-coding databases
- Provide routine support for power-point presentations
SKILLS AND COMPETENCES:
Essential Qualifications:
- A BSc in Geomatics, Geospatial Engineering, GIS, Geography, Surveying or other Earth Sciences
- At least one-year experience in Geographical Information Systems
- Good organisation and management skills
- Excellent presentation skills, both oral and written
- The ability to work in different settings and to liaise with different groups
Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience in handling large health and household survey data
- Experience in Geographical Information Systems
- Experience within governmental or non-governmental agencies
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
