Geographic Information System (GIS) Technical Expert

Job Description

About the Company

Ripple Africa is a nonprofit organization based in Malawi, established in 2003 by Geoff and Liz Furber. The organization is dedicated to empowering rural communities through sustainable development initiatives in education, healthcare, and environmental conservation. Ripple Africa follows a “hand up, not a hand out” philosophy, emphasizing local leadership and long-term community involvement. The organization implements various programs, including environmental conservation efforts that focus on forest protection, fish conservation, and clean cookstove initiatives. In education, Ripple Africa supports school infrastructure, teacher training, and scholarships to enhance access to quality education. Its healthcare initiatives improve medical services through clinic support and maternal health programs. Additionally, Ripple Africa engages in community development through agriculture training and women’s empowerment projects. Ripple Africa primarily serves rural communities in Malawi’s Nkhata Bay District, particularly around Mwaya. The organization collaborates with local stakeholders, international volunteers, and corporate partners to achieve its mission, focusing on vulnerable groups such as women, children, and small-scale farmers. With a strong grassroots presence, Ripple Africa employs over 2,000 Malawian staff and volunteers, ensuring community ownership of its projects.

Job Summary

Ripple Africa invites applications from candidates who meet the qualifications and experience stated below and have relevant experience to fill the following vacant position of Geographic Information System (GIS) Technical Expert.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• GIS Analysis and Modelling, performing limited remote sensing analysis
• Conduct Quality Assurance and Quality Control checks on project GIS results
• Collecting, cleaning, and organising GIS datasets
• Project Support including training, field work, attending meetings and generating maps and written materials as required
• Research and Technical Support (remote and in-person)
• Communication and Engagement with internal project teams, UK team, counterparts, consultants and beneficiaries as required
• Complying with operating procedures, licence conditions and working in accordance with Ripple Africa Malawi Employee Handbook

Educational Qualifications, Skills, & Experience Required

• Certificate in Geo Mapping or Geo Spatial fields, e.g. Quantum GIS (QGIS)
• Use of R Programming language, Google Earth Pro and Google Earth Engine
• GIS tasks – including data analysis, digitising, map creation, modelling, remote sensing analysis and providing results-based solutions
• Information Technology (IT) expertise in use of Microsoft Office tools, Outlook, Cloud-based storage, and file sharing