Remote Sensing Associate (8 openings)

Remote | New Delhi

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Remote | New Delhi
Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
- Meteorology, Geology and Geography
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Mechanics and Electronics (Engineering)
Closing Date: Closed

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

The Government of India’s flagship schemes Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and KCC/MISS have become important tools to strengthen the resilience of Indian farmers. The schemes ensure maximum benefits for the farmers by providing financial risk protection against natural calamities and catastrophic events including pests, climate uncertainties and environmental shocks. Apart from providing comprehensive risk coverage for the entire crop cycle, PMFBY also enables direct claim transfer into farmers’ accounts through e-remittance. Additionally, to address agrarian distress, Kisan Credit Card/ Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) was introduced by the Government of India to provide cheap and hassle-free credit for millions of farmers and to ensure continued investment into agriculture to bring in mechanization, modernize agriculture practices and eventually enhance productivity.

UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2023-2027) intended Outcome 2 states that “By 2027, people will benefit from and contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth through higher productivity, competitiveness and diversification in economic activities that create decent work, livelihoods, and income particularly for youth and women”. UNDP leverages its expertise in systems strengthening to support the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare (MoA&FW) through setting up of a Central Program Management Unit (CPMU) for the implementation of PMFBY and KCC, to improve institutional and programme responsiveness, increase coverage and better access among marginalised and excluded farm households, offering innovative measures and support mechanisms for Agri-value chain financing, risk management and reduced crop loss for the rural population in India. The PMU will also focus on providing Capacity Building and Training support to participating state-level government departments involved in PMFBY and KCC and advancing the scheme among new states for improved uptake.

Within the overall framework of UNDP’s ongoing programme with MoA&FW, institutional strengthening support is extended to MNCFC by setting up a TIC (Technology Implementation Cell) which will provide Remote Sensing and Geospatial support to MNCFC for the successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). This will involve carrying out operational activities and R&D activities for using satellite and other collateral data and models and GIS tools for the national crop insurance programme.

MNCFC has been assigned with the responsibility of mainstreaming the geospatial technology solutions under PMFBY’s national initiatives i.e. YES-TECH, WINDS and CROPIC and support other tech interventions like a) Smart sampling locations to States, b) Yield dispute resolution, c) Area discrepancy analysis, d) Crop situation assessment etc.

The Remote Sensing Associate- Technical Implementation Cell will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head – Sustainable Inclusive Growth, UNDP. Currently, 21 states implement PMFBY/RWBCIS and 9 states are implementing YES-TECH. The Remote Sensing Associate will be responsible for activities related to YES-TECH/WINDS/CROPIC/SST/Yield Disputes/Any Other Remote Sensing of Geospatial analysis of 2-3 State/UTs.

Direct Reporting To: Remote Sensing Specialist, NPSA 10, Remote Sensing Analyst, NPSA 9

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure Satellite/drone Image Analysis

Utilizing opensource and commercial software tools for analyzing satellite or drone images, such as QGIS, Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS, ERDAS IMAGINE etc;
Knowledge of other Geospatial software such as ENVI, QGIS, SNAP, GRASS etc., for enhanced image analysis will be an added advantage.

Ensure Remote Sensing Analysis

Conducting Remote Sensing based time series analysis, crop acreage and yield estimation;
Experience in handling Very High resolution optical and radar data.

Ensure Data-Driven Agricultural Techniques

Assisting in Smart Sampling, CCE Optimization: Implementing data-driven smart sampling and CCE optimization for accurate yield estimation;
Facilitating two-step and direct crop yield estimation methods for improved accuracy.

Providing Support to CPMU

Developing SOPs, manuals, protocols, and guidelines for crop insurance, using remote sensing and geospatial technology;
Carry out R&D activities on different aspects of RS and Geospatial Technology use in Crop Insurance.
Capacity Building: of stakeholders in use of RS and Geospatial technology for PMFBY.

Ensure Project support

Support the Lead for successful achievement of the project objectives and activities;
Perform any other tasks consistent with the level of the post and/ or assigned by the Lead, Remote Sensing and Head.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and the organization.

Competencies

Core competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Digital & Innovation:

Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real- Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making
Geospatial Analysis: Skilled in techniques which study entities using their topological, geometric, or geographic properties.
Machine learning: skilled in computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience and by the use of data.
Data collection: Data collection Being skilled in Data Sorting, Data Cleaning, Survey Administration, Presentation and Reporting including collection of Real-Time Data (e.g., mobile data, satellite data, sensor data).
Data engineering: Ability in programming languages such as SQL, Python, and R, be adept at finding warehousing solutions, and using ETL (Extract, Transfer, Load) tools, and understanding basic machine learning and algorithms.

General:

Event planning and execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP's overall brand and mandate.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary education is required. Or
A University degree (bachelor’s degree) in Engineering/Agriculture/Remote-Sensing/GIS/ Geomatics / Geoinformatics or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement;
Minimum of 7 years (with High school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant demonstrable experience in Remote Sensing data analysis/ Crop Yield Modelling/ Drought Assessment with UN agencies/National/ International/ Public/Private Organization is required.

Experience:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required;
Experience in project Management practices and ability to formulate and manage budgets is required;
Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and requirements of the post with excellence is required;
Possesses the capacity for strategic planning, result – based management and reporting is required.
Working experience in Esri’s ArcGIS and associated extensions, and ERDAS IMAGINE; knowledge of other GIS and remote sensing software such as ENVI, QGIS, SNAP, GRASS etc.;
In-depth knowledge of Remote Sensing and GIS application in Agriculture/Forestry/Agro-Forestry and related field;
Experience crop loss modelling or agricultural statistics;
Analyse RST data downloading and processing, Crop Mapping using Remote Sensing Data, generation of Smart Sampling points;
Develop a database of crop signatures, both spectral and temporal, for improving crop classification leading to overall improvement in crop maps;
Ground truth data collection, supervise and monitor CCEs and CCE data compilation and analysis;
Research and development into RST for crop Yield estimation to complement CCEs particularly focusing on the State/UTs;
Additional years of experience in Remote Sensing data analysis/ Crop Yield Modelling;
Experience of working with Central and/or State Governments/ international agencies/on similar assignments.

Required Languages:

Fluency in English and Hindi is required.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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This vacancy is now closed.