National Land Cover and GIS Specialist

at Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

📍 Location: Accra
🕒 Employment Type: Full-Time

Company Profile

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations leading international efforts to defeat hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. We foster a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative environment where technical experts contribute to global development through data-driven and science-based solutions.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled National Land Cover and GIS Specialist to support geospatial data analysis, land cover mapping, and remote sensing applications. The successful candidate will lead spatial data processing and contribute to the development of robust geospatial products that support sustainable land management and agricultural planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage land cover classification systems using GIS and remote sensing tools
• Process and analyze satellite imagery to produce accurate geospatial datasets
• Apply spatial data handling techniques for environmental and agricultural analysis
• Maintain and manage geospatial databases, metadata, and documentation standards
• Support the use of cloud-based geospatial platforms such as SEPAL and Google Earth Engine
• Develop scripts and automation workflows using R, Python, and batch-processing tools
• Conduct geostatistical analysis and support automated land classification processes
• Contribute to capacity building and knowledge transfer in GIS and remote sensing applications
• Prepare technical reports and communicate results to diverse technical and non-technical audiences
• Collaborate with national and international partners on geospatial projects and initiatives

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, GIS, Geography, Environmental Sciences, or related field
• Master’s degree is an added advantage
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in GIS, remote sensing, and spatial data analysis
• Strong experience in satellite data processing, geospatial analysis, and metadata management
• Working knowledge of English (Level C); knowledge of French is an advantage
• Must be a national of Ghana

Technical Experience & Selection Criteria

• Experience using programming languages such as R and Python for GIS/remote sensing
• Experience working with international organizations and development projects in low- and middle-income countries
• Strong background in satellite image analysis and geospatial data processing
• Experience using cloud computing platforms (SEPAL, Google Earth Engine)
• Experience in batch scripting and geostatistical tools for automated classification
• Experience in capacity development and training on GIS/RS tools and methods
• Familiarity with FAO Land Cover Classification System (LCCS) standards
• Ability to communicate technical results to diverse audiences effectively

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

How to Apply

Apply online by clicking on the application button.