Remote Sensing Analyst at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

The position will be based within a team that is best known for developing and implementing index-based livestock insurance (IBLI) as a risk-management tool for pastoralists (www.ilri.org/ibli), and is currently broadening its agenda to leverage the use of remotely sensed data to a greater range of innovative applications in support of rangeland monitoring and management.

Responsibilities

• Development (including programming) of advanced remote sensing optical data processing algorithms related to rangeland and livestock monitoring and management.
• Operational management of remote sensing and contract design activities for the Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) product under large national and international programs.
• Communicate with multiple stakeholders, including national and international institutions and private partners, in relation to IBLI contract design activities, Index and payouts announcement, and other relevant elements of the IBLI agenda.
• Pre-processing, processing and analysis of multiple-source/scale remote sensing datasets.
• Analyse and manage multiple geospatial datasets.
• Prepare high quality technical reports and develop and execute trainings on remote sensing applications for rangeland monitoring, drought risk management and index-insurance.
• Prepare mapping products in GIS environment for information sharing and dissemination.
• Contribute to and lead new ideas, research activities and wider team work on remote sensing, index-based insurance and ICT innovation in the drylands.
• Support and coordinate field work activities and support scientific publishing.

Requirements

• Masters in Remote Sensing/GIS, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Geography, Physics, Engineering or related disciplines with at least two years' experience in Remote Sensing/Geospatial sciences or a related discipline or Bachelors' degree in the same subjects with at least six years' experience plus a relevant post graduate qualification
• At least 3 years of experience in remote sensing data analysis and geospatial statistics for environmental applications.
• Demonstrated expertise with commercial and open source remote sensing and GIS (geographical information system) software.
• Demonstrated ability to write programming scripts and programs, preferably in R and/or IDL. Experience with web and mobile applications and programming is an asset.
• Experience with handling large geospatial datasets and remote sensing data products (particularly time series analysis).
• Sound knowledge of livestock systems, natural resource management and agricultural development issues in the drylands. Experience with index-based insurance is an asset.
• Excellent communication skills. Direct experiences of interaction with public and private institutions and on dealing with sensitive information in an asset.
• Experience with setting-up trainings based on adult education principles.
• Self-motivated, pro-active and result/detail-oriented personality who can operate both individually and as part of a team, as well as take the leadership of specific activities.
• Excellent English reading, writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work well in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team.
• Willingness to travel and work in the field in Kenya and abroad when necessary.

Terms of Appointment

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus. It is open to Kenyan nationals only. The position is on a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.