USAID/MALI MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING (MEL) PLATFORM ACTIVITY– SENIOR GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) SPECIALIST**

Background

NORC is seeking qualified candidates for the position of GIS Specialist for an upcoming USAID/Mali Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform Activity. The purpose of the MEL Platform is to provide technical and advisory services to design and carry out various monitoring, evaluation and learning activities for USAID/Mali. This project will have three major components: 1) USAID/Mali monitoring support through a Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) mechanism; 2) Evaluation Services and Surveys; and 3) Collaborating, Learning and Adaptive (CLA) Management and Communication Services.

Job Summary

The GIS Specialist will be responsible for the collection, management, analysis, and visual presentation of geospatial data. The specialist will work with USAID/Mali to develop necessary GIS databases under the Development Objectives to facilitate evidence-based decision-making. The GIS database could support geographic mapping and representation of geocoded performance information in the performance system. The specialist with also work closely with the project’s monitoring and evaluation experts to conduct extensive geospatial analysis that improves the monitoring and evaluation of USAID/Mali activities and enhances USAID project design. S/he will be responsible for the generation of cartographic products and reports for various data calls. Specific responsibilities may include:

· Developing, managing, and maintaining a GIS Mapping Database;

· Developing data collection tools to geographically map USAID activity/project interventions and project management indicators;

· Creating a system to track and map activity/projects for easy visualization of where activities/ projects are located throughout Mali;

· Providing data analysis, computer programming, database and system administration;

· Training interested parties in the collection and management of data and production of relevant maps; and

· Collaborating with the Data Analyst to collect and compile data for reporting purposes.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree (or foreign equivalent) in geospatial information science or relevant field. Advanced degree is preferred;

• At least three years of experience in geospatial design, analysis, and management, preferably in Africa;

• Experience with performance monitoring and an understanding of monitoring and evaluation;

• The ability to analyze and interpret large amounts of data;

• Understanding of spatial data standards, GIS software and formats, geodatabases;

• Experience in database development and management;

• Experience in data visualization;

• Advanced expertise of Microsoft Excel, Access, Word and PowerPoint;

• Excellent adaptive skills – flexibility and risk tolerance; curiosity and creativity; comfort with ambiguity, uncertainty and adaptation;

• Excellent interpersonal skills; and

• Language Proficiency: French Level III (General Professional Proficiency) and English Level III (General Professional Proficiency).

About NORC at the University of Chicago

NORC at the University of Chicago (NORC) is one of the largest and most highly respected social research organizations in the United States pursuing high quality social science research that serves the public interest. NORC’s International Programs designs and implements evaluations, data collection, and other analytical projects throughout the world and has developed close collaborative relationships with researchers, survey firms, and policy think tanks in numerous countries. NORC has also worked extensively throughout Africa, including in the Mali.