Geodesy/Hydrography Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and FAO are implementing the project Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Development and Management in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (SLDM). The project aims at establishing an enabling environment for promoting sustainable and climate-resilient land development, management, and reclamation in support of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) through activities working at (i) streamlining policy, regulation, and governance; (ii) developing institutional and human capacities; and (iii) strengthening local governance in three regions where the project is being implemented. The project is implemented at three levels – national, regional, and local – the SLDM project is designed to create an enabling legal and policy framework informed by policy feedback loops nurtured with ground reality and inclusive participation.

Reporting Lines

The Geodesy Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Guyana and the SLDM Project's Chief Technical Advisor /Project Manager. He / She will work in collaboration with the Commissioner of the GLSC and other FAOGY and SLDM team members, and under the overall technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and the concerned task force members.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for the theoretical aspects of the work and will provide guidance and oversight for GLSC and will coordinate activities with the local Survey Specialist(s) to establish and build the capacity of GLSC to deal with the Geodetic Reference Framework computations and Gravity surveys and Geoid model computations. They will also provide guidance on the development of capacity for hydrographic surveying in alignment with international standards.
He or she will consider integration for a field-to-office workflow / survey data to ensure that high-quality data are captured, catalogued, stored, maintained, disseminated, and analysed in the most efficient way, utilizing the geodetic reference framework as required.
He / She will be home based but will also one/two mission(s) to Guyana, and work with survey staff of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission’s (GLSC) in processing and analysis of data within the Survey Division in GLSC, undertake assessment of geodesy related works and will work closely with the PMU – GLSC and FAO LTO of the SLDM project, and the Geodetic Section of the GLSC as well as other agencies involved in terrestrial and maritime spatial data acquisition and processing.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will undertake the following tasks: Work in collaboration with the SLDM Team to assess survey field-to-office-GIS workflow / survey data collection (capturing), processing (cataloguing, storage, maintenance, dissemination) and analysis. 
Develop tools to work within the newly established geodetic reference framework towards provision of on-line services within a geodesy unit web page under the GLSC web site. 
•     Contribute to the enhancement to the hydrographic surveys capacity in Guyana in collaboration with GLSC and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), and any other stakeholder towards execution of Hydrographic Surveys and management of marine spatial data. 
•     Plan and deliver relevant workshops in geodesy, hydrographic surveys and other relevant technical areas relating to surveying practice within the new geodetic infrastructure and on geoidal modelling.
•     Evaluate data delivery and integrity of the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network as needed and provide recommendations.
•     Facilitate the implementation of the roadmap and work plan for the development of a modern vertical reference framework for Guyana.
•     Review and assess levelling and Gravity data towards establishment of a localised Geoidal models and a permanent sea level observation / gauging strategy.
•     Provide any technical guidance relating to the global gravity field models, XGM2019e (degree 5540), locally acquired gravity and level data towards continued development of a geoid and ellipsoidal separation model for Guyana, and compare free air anomalies observed with those from the XGM2019e model
•     Utilise any available gravity data for Guyana for incorporation into the geoidal model using complex mathematical process, and conduct computations, and provide related training (Validation can be undertaken if levelling data is acquired to accompany at least some of the gravity data).
•     Advise GLSC in the implementation of the work plan for practical realization of the modern vertical reference frameworks for use onshore and offshore of Guyana, eventually through additional gravity surveys, computation of a precise national geoidal model and reinforced permanent sea level gauging.
•     Submit the Guyana Geoid for validation by the International Service for the Geoid (ISG) or another other related service for future support to the Commission
•     Further develop the Guidelines for Surveyors to include information on best practice for working within the coordinate reference system in the vertical and enhance particulars provided for the horizontal data. 
•     Work with the local educational establishments and GLSC towards the delivery of professional programmes education in surveying and geospatial science. Continuation of work with the University of Guyana and initiate work with the Government Technical Institute toward progression of students to the University.
•     Provide a computer application compatible with Windows Software Application offering a user interface for the purpose of geodetic computations within the newly defined geodetic datum and geoidal model for Guyana
•     Develop a web portal and web page access to geodetic information for Guyana, within the existing GLSC’s web site to provide definitions for the Coordinate Reference System (CRS) and access to control point data
•     Complete the reviewing of existing Survey laws and regulations to support / encourage / mandate the use of the new Guyana CRS and to incorporate the use of new technology in cadastral and other surveys and mapping works.
•     Disseminate findings of ongoing work that have a broader impact to relevant authorities within the government sector across Guyana.
•     Terminal evaluation of the work undertaken and its impact on the spatial science community with associated report
•     Produce technical reports and contribute to the terminal evaluation process, including providing inputs to the project terminal report, technical notes / peer reviews as relevant to his / her areas of expertise.
•     Support any related activities such as: .
    Return on investment/Business strategy considerations 
-    Advise on developing and implementing business strategy to pursue return of investment / monetise CORS Network and cadastre inclusive of incorporating / integrating outputs of CORS network and digital cadastre into current and future products and services. 
-    Advise on the creation of prototypes for customer facing access to CORS and Cadastre based services.

    Capacity building and knowledge transfer 
-    Delivery of educational activities to support the continued professional development of GLSC staff within the thematic fields of geodesy, CORS, and cadastre.
-    Delivery of educational activities to support the continued professional development of GLSC and MARAD staff in the Hydrographic function.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
•     Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in a discipline relevant to Geodesy, Geophysics, Geodynamics, Hydrographic Surveys, Cadastral Mapping, Land Administration, Land Information Systems, or other related field of study. A university degree combined with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree in certain circumstances.
•     At least 7 years of relevant experience in geodetic and/or hydrographic surveys, cadastral mapping, etc.
•     Working knowledge of English (Level C).

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

Selection Criteria 
•     Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Certified or equivalent.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in geodesy, hydrographic surveys, cadastral mapping and crosscutting issues affecting sustainable land management with particular emphasis on developing countries and knowledge of the Caribbean context and Guyana particularly. 
•     Extent and relevance of experience in technical assistance and capacity building in geodesy and cadastral mapping provided to field projects.
•     Extent and relevance of experience with appropriate technologies and data management in fit-for-purpose land administration and sustainable land management.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in designing and conducting participatory workshops, consultations, awareness, technical meetings and learning events.
•     Proven ability to redact clear and concise technical reports and policy notes. 
•     Proven ability to work in multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder, multi-cultural teams.