GIS Associate

Job Summary:

WRI is seeking candidates for a GIS Associate to join the Global Forest Watch Commodities and Finance team (GFW C&F), with an initial focus on Brazil but responsibilities that span globally.

You will work closely with GFW C&F engagement staff, as well as private sector partners. In this position, you will lead the technical execution of pilot projects for determining which solutions to integrate into GFW Pro. Some examples: testing improved deforestation alert data to enable more effective engagement along supply chains, testing the development of agricultural asset lists to support standardized deforestation risk assessments, testing the generation of key performance indicators in support of corporate no deforestation reporting. You will also provide support and trainings to GFW Pro users, as well as technical backstopping to the GFW Pro platform. Beyond GFW Pro, you will support GFW C&F engagement staff on collaborative industry pilots aimed at reducing commodity-driven deforestation.

This position will ideally be based in our São Paulo, Brazil office but other locations can be considered.

Job Responsibilities:

Pilot projects (70%)

• Acquire and assess new spatial datasets relevant to C&F stakeholders’ monitoring needs
• Perform research and analysis to develop solutions (e.g. datasets, methodologies) for C&F stakeholders
• Run spatial analyses with C&F stakeholders to collaboratively develop and scale solutions
• Write technical publications to document the methods underpinning solutions
• Provide data and methods quality assurance for solution integration into GFW Pro
• Communicate and respond to questions about solutions and GFW Pro data and analytical content to diverse internal and external audiences via calls, presentations and collaborative workshops
• Provide guidance and leadership to WRI staff with respect to solutions and GFW Pro data and analytical content
• Liaise with GIS staff in the Global and International Offices on solutions development

GFW Pro support (30%)

• Provide technical support and training to GFW Pro users and WRI staff, including assisting users with formatting their data for upload into the platform and responding to technical inquiries
• Process and manage GIS datasets for GFW Pro, and automate data cleaning and management processes
• Prepare map services for web mapping applications using ArcGIS server and ArcGIS online

Job Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in GIS, Environmental Science, Geography, Forest Ecology, or another related field (or a Bachelor’s degree with two years of additional relevant work experience)
• Minimum 3 years of full-time work experience using GIS technology
• Fluency in English
• Demonstrated experience in developing GIS methodologies and delivering robust analytical products
• Expertise in ArcGIS and QGIS, including ArcGIS Desktop 10.x, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Server, and ArcGIS Online
• Programming experience using Python or another language to automate workflows
• Experience with both raster and vector based GIS analysis, including large and complex datasets
• Strong communication skills, including explaining technical topics to non-technical audiences and presentation experience
• Strong teamwork skills, including the collaborative development of analytical products and experience working with diverse, international stakeholders
• Solid writing skills, including the development of methodology documents
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and manage own time
• A delivery-oriented mindset and ability to work on a variety of projects while meeting tight deadlines
• Creative problem-solver who likes to be challenged

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of agricultural supply chains
• Experience analyzing land use/land cover data
• Fluency in Portuguese, Spanish, Bahasa, and/or French

How to Apply:

Candidates should submit a resume and cover letter. Resume and cover letter must be submitted in English to be considered. Final candidates will be required to take a writing/analytical test. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

Program Overview:

Global Forest Watch

The World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Forest Program works with governments, businesses, and civil society to sustain forests for future generations. We aim to curb deforestation worldwide and help restore and reforest already-cleared land. With these goals in mind, the Global Forest Watch (GFW) initiative makes the best available data for monitoring forests accessible online. By harnessing cutting-edge technology, GFW allows anyone to access near real-time information about where and how forests are changing around the world.

Commodities and Finance

Recognizing that the agricultural industry is essential for human well-being yet is often associated with tropical deforestation, GFW Commodities and Finance (C&F) focuses on developing monitoring solutions for commodity supply chains. With GFW Pro, companies, financial institutions and other entities can securely monitor and manage for deforestation risk in areas they buy from or invest in. To ensure the continued utility and impact of GFW Pro, the GFW C&F team works closely with these stakeholders to identify, pilot and integrate new solutions into the platform.

WRI Overview:

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.
 
We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.