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 security-oriented intergovernmental organization founded in 197

• The OSCE aims to promote peace, stability, and democracy in its member states. The POiB focuses on various issues including economic and environmental affairs, human rights, and conflict prevention. Established to address the unique challenges faced by the Kyrgyz Republic, the office works closely with local authorities and communities to implement projects that enhance security and promote sustainable development. The POiB employs a diverse team of professionals and operates in multiple countries across Europe and Central Asia, with a commitment to fostering cooperation and dialogue among its member states.

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 includes 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. The specialist will also be involved in the validation of the scoring system against historical outbursts and the integration of geomorphological indicators into spatial datasets.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National GIS Specialist include: 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, ice-cored moraine presence, 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 using Sentinel-2, Sentinel-1, and Landsat data; preparing pre-flight orthomosaics and hazard scoring packages; participating in aerial survey mission planning and conducting onboard observations; cataloguing and georeferencing geotagged photos; producing aerial survey reports and photo atlases; translating geomorphological indicators into spatial datasets; producing detailed technical maps and simplified community hazard maps; maintaining a photographic and geospatial catalogue; preparing a final GIS technical report; participating in the project closure workshop; and formally handing over all geospatial datasets, code, web map services, and documentation to MoES.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in geography, geoinformatics, engineering geology, geomorphology, or a closely related discipline. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in GIS analysis and remote sensing applied to mountain hazards such as debris flows, GLOFs, and landslides. Demonstrated experience with the geomorphological characterization of moraine-dammed lakes and dam-stability indicators is essential. Proficiency in QGIS, ArcGIS, SNAP, Google Earth Engine, and programming languages such as Python or R for geospatial analysis is required. Candidates should also have a working knowledge of optical and SAR satellite data, including Sentinel-1/2, Landsat, and ALOS PALSAR, as well as experience in producing cartographic products for emergency management and community-level audiences. Fluency in Russian and a good working knowledge of English are mandatory, while knowledge of Kyrgyz is considered an asset. Familiarity with OSCE or comparable international organization procedures is advantageous, and previous experience in conducting research, data collection, and analysis would be beneficial. Candidates should demonstrate gender awareness and sensitivity, and the ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree, specifically a Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as geography, geoinformatics, engineering geology, or geomorphology. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complex interactions between glacial lakes, geomorphology, and remote sensing technologies, which are essential for the successful execution of the project.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in GIS analysis and remote sensing, specifically applied to mountain hazards. This experience should include work related to debris flows, glacial lake outburst floods, and landslides, as well as familiarity with the geomorphological characterization of moraine-dammed lakes. Candidates should have a proven track record of successfully applying GIS and remote sensing techniques in real-world scenarios, particularly in mountainous regions.

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 communities and stakeholders. The ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms in these languages is essential for the role, especially when producing reports and engaging with diverse audiences.

Additional Notes:
The 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 qualified candidates from all 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. The closing date for applications is August 12, 2026.