About the Organization
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is seeking qualified Geospatial Analysis and Earth Observation Consultants to join its consultant roster. This remote consulting role provides high-level technical expertise across IFAD''s global portfolio in agriculture, climate adaptation, natural resource management, and rural development, supporting projects across the entire operational cycle—from design and monitoring to impact assessment and corporate reporting.
Job Summary
Are you an experienced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Earth Observation (EO) professional looking to make a global impact? IFAD is seeking qualified Geospatial Analysis and Earth Observation Consultants to join our consultant roster.
In this remote consulting role, you will provide high-level technical expertise across IFAD''s global portfolio in agriculture, climate adaptation, natural resource management, and rural development. You will support projects across the entire operational cycle—from design and monitoring to impact assessment and corporate reporting.
Key Responsibilities
Depending on your specific area of expertise, responsibilities include:
GIS & Spatial Analysis:
Perform multi-criteria suitability analysis, watershed/landscape analysis, climate risk assessments, and rural connectivity modeling to support evidence-based decision-making.
Earth Observation & Remote Sensing:
Process and analyze optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery for crop monitoring, land degradation assessments, flood/drought monitoring, and time-series environmental analysis.
Geospatial Data Engineering & Automation:
Build scalable, reproducible geospatial pipelines using Python, R, and Google Earth Engine (GEE). Automate vector/raster data workflows and manage spatial databases.
Cartography & Data Visualization:
Produce official maps and thematic atlases following United Nations cartographic standards for technical publications, supervision reports, and corporate dashboards.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact Assessment:
Design spatial sampling frameworks, track project baselines, and analyze pre/post-intervention changes using satellite imagery and geospatial indicators.
Technical Advisory & Capacity Building:
Provide expert technical reviews, participate in project design missions, and lead GIS/EO training programs for government counterparts and field teams.
Required Qualifications
Education
Master''s Degree (or equivalent) in GIS, Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.
(Candidates with a Bachelor''s degree and relevant experience may be considered for entry-level/junior roles).
Professional Experience Levels
Senior Level: 12+ years of relevant experience.
Mid-Level: 8–11 years of relevant experience.
Entry-Level: 2–7 years of relevant experience.
Junior Level: Bachelor''s degree with 1+ years of experience.
Preferred Experience
Background working with UN agencies, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), or international development organizations.
Applied experience in agriculture, climate resilience, food systems, or rural infrastructure.
Required Skills and Competencies
GIS Platforms:
QGIS, GeoServer, PostGIS, Mapbox, Power BI.
Remote Sensing & Data Processing:
Google Earth Engine, Optical Imagery, SAR, UAV Imagery, Deep Learning / Machine Learning for EO.
Programming Languages & Frameworks:
Python (GeoPandas, Rasterio, Xarray), R, SQL, GDAL/OGR, Git, Jupyter Notebooks.
Languages:
Professional fluency in English is required. Proficiency in French, Spanish, or Arabic is a strong asset.