Earth Observation Analyst

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP's vision emphasizes a diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing workforce that operates in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living by the organization's core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202

• The organization invests significantly in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training programs, mentorship, and opportunities for internal mobility, making it an attractive workplace for those passionate about humanitarian work.

Job Overview:
The Earth Observation Analyst position is crucial for the WFP Sierra Leone Country Office (SLCO), which manages a growing environmental and climate resilience portfolio. This includes the EU-funded Nature Nourishes – Territorial Approach for Local Development (NNTALD) project and biannual forest cover monitoring of the Western Area Peninsula National Park (WAPNP). The analyst will be responsible for providing technical support, coordinating field validation activities, processing drone and satellite imagery, and ensuring the timely production of geospatial outputs as outlined in the NNTALD implementation plan. The role also involves strengthening national capacities and supporting Sierra Leone’s role as an AIMS Living Lab, where new analytical workflows and monitoring approaches can be tested and refined. The analyst will work closely with various teams within WFP to ensure that all analyses align with corporate geospatial data infrastructures and methodological standards, thereby contributing to effective humanitarian assistance and environmental management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Earth Observation Analyst will have a range of responsibilities, including:

• Providing day-to-day technical support to the SLCO on AIMS workflows and ensuring timely delivery of geospatial products for land cover analysis and monitoring under the EU-funded projects, including NNTALD and WAPNP.
• Coordinating with AIMS HQ to align priorities, resolve technical issues, and integrate Earth Observation insights into program planning and reporting.
• Supporting ground-truthing missions and validation of land cover and forest cover assessments, ensuring high-quality field data collection for validating EO-based monitoring.
• Delivering training to CO staff, government partners, and eco-guards on geospatial tools and the project geospatial platform.
• Organizing webinars and workshops to present AIMS findings and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Representing AIMS in technical working groups and governance structures, contributing to Sierra Leone’s role as an AIMS Living Lab.
• Reviewing AIMS data-collection and verification tools, providing feedback to improve tools and processes.
• Participating in biannual AIMS meetings for professional development and performing additional tasks as required to support AIMS operations and geospatial analysis activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in physical geography, biology, physics, or a related field. They should have proven experience in geospatial analysis, geo-information management, and processing of very high-resolution imagery. Familiarity with ecosystem restoration and regenerative design projects is essential, as well as knowledge of their types, scope, and expected outputs. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in modern programming languages and analytical environments, particularly R and Python, for processing geospatial and geophysical data. Experience applying Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to geospatial workflows is also required. Strong presentation and teamwork skills are necessary, along with the ability to follow and develop a given scope of work. Additionally, candidates should have experience in early warning and remote sensing interpretation and analysis, as well as expert knowledge of GIS software such as ARC GIS and Q-GIS.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as physical geography, biology, or physics. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of geospatial analysis and environmental science, which are critical to the role of an Earth Observation Analyst. Candidates with degrees in related fields may also be considered, provided they have the necessary skills and experience in geospatial analysis and environmental management.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in geospatial analysis and geo-information management, particularly in the analysis and processing of very high-resolution imagery. Experience in ecosystem restoration and regenerative design projects is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of applying advanced analytical techniques, including Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, to geospatial workflows. Familiarity with early warning systems and remote sensing methodologies is also important, as is experience with GIS software and analytical methodologies. The level of experience required is typically several years in a relevant field, demonstrating a strong capability to manage complex geospatial projects and collaborate effectively with various stakeholders.

Languages:
Strong written and oral English skills are mandatory for this position, with a proficiency level of C. This level of proficiency is necessary to effectively communicate complex geospatial concepts and findings to diverse audiences, including technical teams, government partners, and stakeholders. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in the context of working with local communities and partners in Sierra Leone.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and is expected to be a full-time role. The contract duration and specific terms of employment will be outlined in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and encourages individuals with disabilities to apply. The organization does not charge any fees during the application process and emphasizes the importance of submitting applications through their online recruitment system. Candidates are advised to ensure their profiles are complete and accurate, including employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified, and all employment decisions are made based on organizational needs and individual qualifications.