Senior Data Analyst

Job highlights

As a Senior Analyst, you will support WRI’s Food Program’s by leading data collection, data management and analysis for crop mapping, yield monitoring and productivity trends. You will gather geo-located field data on crop-types, yields and uses in priority landscapes and work with remote sensing partners to produce time series maps. You will also manage spatial datasets (e.g., soil, rainfall, temperature, farmer practices, social economic contexts etc) and conduct analyses on. crop distribution patterns, changes in land management practices and yield dynamics. The role will serve in key data management workstreams across WRI Africa’s Food, Land and Water program and connect with the Land & Carbon Lab for global crop monitoring. You will also help build a research consortium on crop-type mapping and yield monitoring. The position reports to the Regional Lead for Sustainable Improvement of Food Productivity.

Research and Analysis (70%)

• Adapt and implement work plans for collecting crop-type mapping, yield and use data aligned with the WRI Africa Food Strategy.
• Develop and lead work plans for gathering related datasets (e.g climate, soil, precipitation, temperature, etc.
• Support field data collection, including geolocation of crop-types and yields, and conduct rapid rural appraisals Source relevant data from national research institutions, ministries and other government offices, research partners, and NGOs; organize technical exchanges for mutual benefit.
• Lead in cleaning and entering data into GIS databases for analysis across WRI’s Food, Land and Water program.
• Lead development of dashboards, visualization tools, and intelligent analysis systems to accelerate insights.
• Conduct data analysis using GIS, machine learning and other quantitative methods to address research questions, synthesize findings on crop-type mapping, remote sensing, yield modelling, data modelling and best-best practices for sustainable yields improvement; translate results into actionable guidance
• Support production of written and visual content for research reports, internal briefs, blogs, presentations, press releases and other communication processes
• Assist in editing, peer review, and publication processes
• Contribute to implementing WRI Africa’s Food Strategy, focussing on sustainable yields, nature and climate.

Program Development and Administration (20%):

• Convene and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to strengthen partnerships across policy, research and local implementation
• Work closely with Food, Land and Water teams and Land & Carbon lab to develop technical components and deliver quality outputs.
• Support development of workplans, systems and procedures to ensure timely execution of activities.
• Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with a diverse network of relevant public and private sector actors to advance food systems transformation.
• Support implementation of WRI Africa Food Strategy by providing technical leadership training, and project delivery in the priority landscapes.

​​​​​​​Fundraising and Engagement (10%):

• Contribute to the development of data and research components in fundraising proposals under the Food, Land and Water program.
• Draft concept notes, funding proposals, and donor reports, clearly articulating program impact pathways.
• Engage potential donors and partners in forums to create opportunities for collaboration.

What will you need:

• Education: A master’s degree in Geographic Information Sciences, Geo-Statistics, Remote-Sensing, Geography, or related area required
• Experience: Minimum of 7+ years of relevant full-time work experience, with the following expertise and skills.