National GIS Specialist with Geomorphology & Remote Sensing Tasks

Job Posting Organization:
The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) is part of the Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which is a regional security organization established in 197

• The OSCE aims to promote peace, stability, and democracy in its member states through various initiatives and projects. The POiB focuses on addressing security challenges in Kyrgyzstan and the surrounding region, working closely with local authorities and communities. The office has a diverse team of professionals and operates in multiple sectors, including economic and environmental affairs, human rights, and conflict prevention. The OSCE has a presence in 57 participating states across Europe, Central Asia, and North America, and is committed to fostering cooperation and dialogue among its members to address common security concerns.

Job Overview:
The National GIS Specialist will play a crucial role in the project 'Assessment of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risks in Priority Mountain Areas of Kyrgyzstan,' which is set to run from June 2026 to December 202

• The specialist will be responsible for developing and operationalizing a geomorphology-based risk classification module within the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MoES) GLOF monitoring system. This involves supporting aerial surveys with remote sensing analysis, producing technical and community-level GLOF hazard maps, and building national capacity in GIS-based GLOF risk assessment. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including the POiB, MoES, and climate scientists, to enhance the existing monitoring system and ensure effective hazard mapping and risk assessment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National GIS Specialist will undertake a variety of tasks, including: conducting an inception meeting with POiB, HMFD MoES, and the Climate Scientist/Modelling Expert; auditing existing MoES GIS layers, lake inventory, and risk-scoring algorithms; preparing a geospatial work plan and data-management protocol; developing a geomorphological indicator framework that includes dam material/type, moraine stability, seepage indicators, and slope instability; defining classification protocols for remote, aerial, and proximal assessments; validating the scoring system against documented historical outbursts; performing remote sensing screening of priority lakes to support aerial survey target selection; participating in aerial survey mission planning and conducting onboard observations; producing detailed technical maps and simplified community hazard maps; preparing a final GIS technical report; and participating in the project closure workshop to hand over all geospatial datasets and documentation to MoES.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in geography, geoinformatics, engineering geology, geomorphology, or a closely related discipline. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in GIS analysis and remote sensing applied to mountain hazards, such as debris flows and GLOFs, is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience with the geomorphological characterization of moraine-dammed lakes and dam-stability indicators. Proficiency in GIS software such as QGIS, ArcGIS, SNAP, Google Earth Engine, and programming languages like Python or R for geospatial analysis is essential. Familiarity with optical and SAR satellite data, as well as experience in producing cartographic products for emergency management and community-level audiences, is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, specifically a Master’s or PhD, in fields related to geography, geoinformatics, engineering geology, geomorphology, or similar disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of GIS analysis and remote sensing as they pertain to mountain hazards and GLOF risk assessment.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in GIS analysis and remote sensing, particularly in the context of mountain hazards such as debris flows and glacial lake outburst floods. This experience should include practical applications of geomorphological analysis and the use of remote sensing technologies to assess and mitigate risks associated with these hazards.

Languages:
Fluency in Russian is mandatory, along with a good working knowledge of English. Knowledge of Kyrgyz is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the project.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered under a Special Service Agreement (SSA) contract type, and the consultant will be compensated based on their qualifications, experience, and the specific tasks and deliverables associated with the role. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct and impartiality among its officials, and candidates should be aware that no payment is requested at any stage of the application process.