National Soil Information and Data Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FAO Country Offices provide policy advice, technical assistance, and support to countries, ensuring effective operations aligned with international standards of accountability. They advocate for policies and investments in food and agriculture, assist in resource mobilization, and deliver core services to enhance agrifood systems.

Job Overview:
The National Soil Information and Data Specialist position is crucial for the implementation of the SoilFER project in Ghana, which aims to enhance soil mapping for resilient agrifood systems. The specialist will be responsible for designing, implementing, coordinating, and supervising a soil monitoring system that adheres to international standards while considering local conditions. This role involves extensive collaboration with local institutions and stakeholders to ensure the effective collection and analysis of soil data. The specialist will also support the development of digital soil maps and integrate soil data into decision support tools for farmers and local institutions. The position requires a strong focus on capacity development in digital soil mapping and modeling, as well as the facilitation of workshops to engage stakeholders in soil data discussions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National Soil Information and Data Specialist include:

• Supervising data collection, systematization, and harmonization of soil maps and legacy data in collaboration with existing institutions in Ghana.
• Supporting the design and supervision of national soil surveys and sampling using advanced techniques to generate high-quality soil data and metadata.
• Developing digital soil maps based on survey data and integrating this data into decision support tools for farmers and local institutions.
• Designing and supervising a soil monitoring system, including site selection and the establishment of a national soil spectral library.
• Supporting capacity development initiatives in digital soil mapping and modeling.
• Organizing workshops on soil data with stakeholders and partners to facilitate knowledge sharing.
• Liaising with the project team to ensure timely delivery of survey outputs, including data, maps, scripts, reports, and training sessions.
• Performing any other duties as assigned by the FAO Representative.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a University Degree in Agricultural Science, Soil Science, Geographical Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in digital mapping and analysis. A working knowledge of English at Level C is required, and candidates must be nationals of the Republic of Ghana.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a University Degree in relevant fields such as Agricultural Science, Soil Science, Geographical Information Systems, or Computer Science. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of soil data and its applications in agrifood systems.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of 3 years of experience in digital mapping and analysis. This experience should include practical knowledge of GIS and other mapping software, as well as familiarity with remote and proximal sensing technologies and geospatial analysis.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English at Level C is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must have higher educational qualifications recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.