Job Description
GIS Expert for REWARD Program
About us
Sambodhi Research and Communications helps create high-impact knowledge and catalyze accountability in the public domain through its project management and monitoring and evaluation solutions. At Sambodhi, we offer objective, evidence-based support to implementers, government, donors, and corporates. Over the past decade, we have emerged as a pioneer in developing cutting-edge methodologies for the evaluation of large-scale development interventions. With a close-knit team of 100 professionals, we work across South Asia, South East Asia, and Sub- Saharan Africa. Headquartered in Noida (Delhi National Capital Region), India, we have full-service regional offices in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Dar-eSalam (Tanzania).
Sambodhi provides services to federal agencies, donors, foundations, and corporates, in areas of public health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, water and sanitation, environment, and renewable energy. We have made valuable contributions to monitoring, learning, and evaluation programs and have influenced development policies and improved implementation efficiency.
Why Sambodhi
Sambodhi offers an exciting and challenging opportunity to contribute to high-quality multiinput development programs and to work closely with the government, and with key development actors like the World Bank, UN, Bilateral agencies, philanthropies like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, etc. Being one of the leading and largest M&E service- providers in South Asia, Sambodhi offers an extraordinary platform to learn, mentor, and innovate in a perceptive environment. Driven by the deep-rooted wisdom of “Equity in Knowledge”, learning is integral to our work; be it investing in peer-driven intensive professional development within Sambodhi or field building on M&E globally. In line with it, it offers an enabled environment for professionals to write, publish and network; to locate themselves in the contemporary discourse on M&E and be a part of the global think-tank.
About the Project
Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development (REWARD) program is implemented by the Watershed Development Department (DSCWD), Govt. of Odisha to “Strengthen capacities of national and state institutions to adopt improved watershed management for increasing farmers’ resilience and support value chains in selected watersheds of Odisha. Around 169 watersheds across five pilot districts namely Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, Nayagada, Deogarh, and Koraput have been selected for the study. Sambodhi will evaluate the socio-economic impacts of the project based on data from around 4000 households using descriptive and econometric data analysis to provide comprehensive site-specific cadastral level information useful for appropriate Natural Resources Management (NRM) planning at farm level and integrated development of the area. Sambodhi will also support the design and collect data for the impact evaluation comprising –
1. Listing
2. Baseline assessment
3. Midline evaluation
4. Endline evaluation
The impact evaluation will be conducted across the five pilot districts (169 MWSs) to investigate the impact of biophysical investment on public and private land as well as farmer-level interventions including LRI training, complementary interventions in the form of value chain development via Farmer Producer Collectives (FPCs) and livelihood protection investments via SHGs.
Job description :
Job Title :
GIS Expert for the Impact Evaluation of the Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development (REWARD) program
Job Location:
The base location for this position is Bhubaneswar. As a part of this assignment, the candidate must travel to different parts (remote locations) of Odisha. Also, the candidate must be able to travel anywhere in the country based on the requirements of other projects undertaken by Sambodhi.
Job Summary :
This role provides coordinates with partner organizations like the World
Bank, the Watershed Development Department (DSCWD), and the Government of Odisha for analyzing and interpreting the pixel-level satellite imagery and GIS data. S/he has to develop and compute indices of vegetation density and photosynthetic activities like NDVI, LAI, FAPAR as well as moisture (LSWI). S/he also has to support the PMU and partners in devising a sampling strategy for baseline based on listing data. The candidate must have worked on innovative techniques for analyzing and interpreting the GIS data (change detection technique). We are looking for candidates with experience working with the government/s on similar assignments in the past.
Language :
The candidate must be fluent in Oriya and willing to relocate to Bhubaneswar as the base location.
Essential Functions : The candidate will perform the following key functions:
• Conceptualize, design, and use remote sense data to understand the effects of the different conservation investments like bunds, hedgerows, check dams, ponds, etc., on different biophysical parameters like soil water retention and runoff.
• Use the Remote sense data to effectively understand the effects of the different conservation investments in bringing about changes in vegetation (increase in vegetation and diversity) in the 169 Micro Watersheds (MWSs) across five pilot districts.
• Processing and analyzing the ESA Sentinel 2 (S2) remote sensing data from all 169 MWSs based on the seven most required parameters for two cropping seasons namely Rabi and Kharif and/or Zaid
• Comparative assessment or change detection analysis between Crop and vegetation status mapping database and Soil & water conservation status mapping database for Mid-term and Final reporting.
• Devise a sampling strategy for baseline based on listing data of the 169 MWSs that would serve as the sampling frame of around 40,000 households.
• Develop and compute indices of vegetation density and photosynthetic activity (NDVI, LAI, FAPAR) as well as soil moisture (LSWI) using a difference in differences design to identify program effects and their evolution or sustainability over time.
• Liaison with partner organizations, consultants, vendors, and other relevant agencies.
• Make and deliver presentations of reports/proposals to clients based on the study findings.
The above essential functions are representative of the major duties of positions in this job. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary. Other duties may be assigned similar to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.
Desired profile :
Education : Master’s Degree in Geoinformatics, Ph.D. in Remote Sensing and GIS
(additional) or related field from Premier Universities.
Experience :
• At least 3-5 years of work experience in working with GIS data and platforms.
• Experience with mapping tools such as ArcGIS, QGIS, and Carto.
• Experience in processing and analyzing the ESA Sentinel 2 (S2) remote sensing data
• Experience of working in social and development research and management of large-scale surveys is desired.
Personal Competencies :
• In-depth knowledge of GIS data in research, evaluation, data analysis & thematic understanding of various sectors in the social & development domain especially related to watershed management.
• Should have excellent understanding/ knowledge of the relevant policy landscape and regulatory environment.
• High level of involvement, engagement, and ownership.
• Flair for building quality relationships with clients.
• Demonstrated competence in handling teams.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation ability.
• Strong time management skills and ability to prioritize.
• Willingness to travel extensively.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested applicants may send their updated resumes to hr@sambodhi.co.in or debgjyti.roy@sambodhi.co.in
