The GIS Head is responsible for development, direction, and management of all geospatial and related technological activities within the India Program. The GIS Head works closely with the science and program teams on different projects and provides geospatial data and analysis support. This position is a leader on the team who helps identify and progress opportunities related to GIS, technology, and partnerships that help to leverage our conservation work. Position is based in Delhi.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The GIS Head oversees and implements GIS, technology and innovation needs of the program. This role involves coordinating the geospatial and related technological activities between internal and external sources and builds internal and external relationships. Some key functions include:

• Data Management: Lead the process of building and maintaining a GIS library for ongoing and future conservation projects
• Integrate Geospatial program: Build and implement a shared vision across the program team to integrate geospatial and related technologies in TNC-India’s programs during all stages of a project – planning, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation – to advance TNC strategies. This includes but not limited to activities like developing predictive models, integrating spatial data with field surveys, conducting landscape analyses to assess ecological integrity, identifying potential priority sites using modeling tools,
• Technology: Work with TNC scientists to define problem statements and the role of technology in addressing them, including development of new tools, approaches, methods processes, and techniques to improve conservation action; advance appropriate technology partnerships
• Partnerships: Build partnerships with relevant geospatial and data science agencies and universities in India
• Program Management and Execution: Plan, manage, execute, and coordinate relevant projects and/or project work streams. Over time, identify the need for, and oversee additional related capacity (e.g., short-term or long-term interns, manager, analyst, specialist or technician). Identify, negotiate, and oversee contracts with vendors. Develop and manage program budget and integrate geospatial and technology budgets into program proposals and budgets as necessary.
• Significant opportunity to act independently within broad program goals.
• In supervisory capacity, plans, organizes and directs assigned project programs.
• Supervises project staff of managers, analysts, specialists and technicians.
• May negotiate and contract with vendors.
• Must be willing and able to travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Broad conceptualization, execution, management and leadership responsibility for all geospatial and technology work, including setting programmatic objectives, and identifying and bringing on additional capacity as needed (e.g., interns, consultants, full time permanent or project hires).
• Designs, directs, and/or executes complex and diversified projects, coordinating the work of other professionals, managing budgets, and ensuring geospatial and technology program accountability.
• Build a geospatial data library.
• Meet the program’s spatial analysis needs across our programmatic areas and major initiatives.
• Undertake analysis for landscape-level land-use and conservation planning among others.
• Provide technical coordination and support of geospatial activities between members of TNC-India team, TNC-Global team and project partners.
• Take Leadership and Project management as necessary
• Build and maintain partnerships with key institutions.
• Collect spatial data and prepare maps to assist in effective communication and writing of reports and proposals.
• Respond to requests for ecological information from partners and provide interpretation, as needed.
• Assist with other programmatic needs which may include coordinating stakeholder meetings, preparing presentations and reports related to geospatial and related technological activities, etc.
• Work independently, Exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.
• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.
• Ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements.
• Manage assigned tasks, coordinating the work of a broader TNC team and achieving deadlines.
• Identify and integrate technology solutions and opportunities working with the science and program teams.
• Resolves large-scale, complex problems through systematic studies and analyses, including the creation or improvement of techniques and procedures.
• Designs, implements, and directs complex and diverse projects to identify creative solutions, encompassing multiple programs and coordinating the work of other professionals inside and outside the organization.
• Incorporates cross-disciplinary knowledge to support program objectives.