Background: 

The International Land and Forest Tenure Facility (The Tenure Facility) is the main global funding mechanism dedicated to advancing the land tenure and territorial governance of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities at scale. Since 2017, we have channelled global funding to these groups, with measurable results — including millions of hectares of pristine forest secured and defended, stronger community governance, and lasting capacity within partner organisations. We advance such outcomes by funding Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local community partner organisations to assist communities to map and monitor their territories, strengthen governance bodies, develop territorial management plans, and prepare and submit land claims. We also support our partners to improve their strategies and internal systems, hire and train staff, and invest in essential equipment. To scale and improve these efforts, we and our partners document and share lessons learned and engage in multi-stakeholder platforms, policy dialogues, and learning exchanges. Our support is long-term and flexible, delivered through a global portfolio of projects implemented by partner organisations, generating results that are tracked through the ROOTS system.

Description: 

Purpose of role 

As part of its Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system, the organisation manages a growing volume of spatial data to track territorial recognition, governance progress, and environmental outcomes.

The GIS Officer will support the management, integration, analysis, and visualisation of spatial data across The Tenure Facility projects. The role will ensure the integrity, usability, and application of geospatial data to strengthen MEL systems and donor reporting.

With the transition toward an ArcGIS Online organisational environment, there is an increasing need to strengthen spatial data integration, ensure data quality, and deliver high-quality spatial analysis and visualisation maps for internal learning and external reporting.

Primary responsibilities

The job holder will have the following key responsibilities: 

Partner Data Integration and Historical Data Consolidation

The GIS Officer will support the expansion and strengthening of the GIS solution by integrating partner datasets and consolidating historical spatial data.

• Process partner datasets, including:
  • Data cleaning and validation.
  • Standardisation of formats, projections, and attributes.
  • Integration into the central GIS system.
  • Avoid duplication and inconsistencies.
• Conduct and continuously improve spatial data assessment processes, including:

• Geometry validation (topology, overlaps, gaps).
• Attribute consistency checks.
• Metadata completeness and standardisation.
• Review quality of the data in the GIS database:

• Upload and manage datasets in the ArcGIS Online environment.
• Ensure datasets are aligned to the dashboards and web applications.

Spatial Analysis and Custom Mapping Support

The GIS Officer will provide operational and analytical support for spatial data use across the organisation.

• Produce maps on demand for:

• Reports and donor submissions.
• Presentations and internal analysis.
• External communications.
• Support MEL staff in spatial analysis, including:

• Overlap analysis.
• Advance analysis defined by MEL.
• Prepare spatial datasets:

• Ensure alignment with reporting templates (e.g., shapefiles, Excel integration).
• Validate consistency between spatial and narrative data.
• Improve workflows for:

• Requesting custom maps and analyses.
• Managing priorities and delivery timelines.

Data Management, Systems, and Workflow Improvement

The GIS Officer will contribute to strengthening internal GIS systems and processes

• Improve data management procedures, including:

• Dataset organisation and naming conventions.
• Version control.
• Archiving of spatial data and map products.

• Support the setup and maintenance of data layers.
• Develop and maintain templates for:

• Map production.
• Data submission and validation.
• Ensure alignment with data governance principles, including:

• Data integrity.
• Responsible data use (especially for Indigenous territories).
• Documentation and reproducibility.

 Deliverables 

• Clean and integrated partner spatial datasets.
• Consolidated the spatial database. 
• Updated GIS platform (ArcGIS Online) with accessible datasets. 
• Regular production of maps and spatial analysis outputs.
• Documentation of data processes and methodologies. 

Requirements: 

The following offers an aspirational view of our ideal candidate profile; however, we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups. 

Education 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in GIS, Geography, Geomatics, Environmental Science, or related field.  

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in GIS and spatial data management.  
• Experience working with multi-source datasets and data cleaning.  
• Experience supporting international or multi-partner projects is a plus.
• Experience or knowledge of working with Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendent, and local communities on land/forest rights and territorial governance is an added advantage.

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in:
  • ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. 
  • Spatial data processing and analysis.
• Experience with:
  • Data validation and quality control. 
• Knowledge of:
  • Spatial data formats (shapefiles, geodatabases, etc.).
  • Coordinate systems and projections. 
• Desirable:
  • Experience with automation tools (e.g., Python, ModelBuilder). 
  • Experience with data integration across years and systems. 

Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Attention to detail and data quality 
• Ability to manage complex datasets and workflows 
• Strong communication skills for working with technical and non-technical stakeholders 
• Ability to work in multicultural and remote teams 
• Sensitivity to Indigenous data sovereignty and ethical data management 

Comments: 

Reporting to: Data & Spatial Analyst Lead, MEL Programme Unit

Contract type: Fixed Term, one year with possibility to renew

HOW TO APPLY: 

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement by clicking on the link below.

Please ensure you send your CV and Cover letter in the following format: full_name_CV_org_name_role and full_name_role_CL.

If you have any questions about the role or organisation and would like an informal chat ahead of submitting a formal application, please reach out to Tricia Placido. Please note: to ensure the security of your application and to ensure that your data complies with GDPR regulations, applications via email will not be accepted.

• The deadline for applications is Monday June 8^th, 9:00 am CET ·

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Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

Contact person: Tricia Placido

Preferred method of response: Web

Apply link: Link to Apply

Email: tricia@upsallinternational.com

Closing date: 08/06/2026