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We are recruiting a Marine Data Analyst & GIS Support Officer

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Job Description: Marine Data Analyst & GIS Support Officer for the Secretariat of the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet)

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Start date: As soon as possible

Duration: Initial 18 months fixed-term contract, with the view to longer-term open-ended contract.

Working hours: Full time

Employer: Seascape Belgium

Location: EMODnet Secretariat Office, InnovOcean site, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

Outline:

The Secretariat of the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), provided by Seascape Belgium, seeks to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated junior marine data expert with knowledge of geospatial data handling to strengthen the EMODnet Secretariat in supporting the partnership to improve the availability and accessibility of marine data in Europe as well as to support the further development of the European Atlas of the Seas (EAS). The incumbent will work at the EMODnet Secretariat in Oostende under the guidance of the EMODnet Technical Coordinator with a particular focus on performance assessment and technical monitoring of the EMODnet data portals. The position will also involve interaction with other data initiatives and projects in Europe and beyond. The successful candidate will have first-hand experience with marine data management and sound technical knowledge of relevant ICT tools, data infrastructures and platforms. Expertise in geospatial data handling and GIS software will be essential. Good understanding of the marine data management landscape in Europe as well as the data and information requirements of the main stakeholders would be an advantage.  

EMODnet is a long-term marine data initiative from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) underpinning its Marine Knowledge 2020 strategy. EMODnet comprises a consortium of more than 100 organisations assembling and making available European marine data, data products and metadata from diverse sources. The main purpose of EMODnet is to unlock fragmented and hidden marine data resources, make these data widely available and to facilitate investment in sustainable coastal and offshore activities through improved access to quality-assured, standardised and interoperable marine data that are free of restrictions on use. Currently, EMODnet comprises seven sub-portals that provide access to marine data covering bathymetry, geology, physics, chemistry, biology, seabed habitats and human activities. More information is available on the EMODnet central portal (https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en) and Maritime Forum (https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/maritimeforum/).

The EMODnet community is supported by a dedicated Secretariat based in Oostende (Belgium) administered by Seascape Belgium. Since September 2017, the EMODnet Secretariat also oversees the maintenance and further development of the European Atlas of the Seas (https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/atlas_en) which is powered by EMODnet and other key EU initiatives and bodies. 

Seascape Belgium is an environmental consultancy specialised in the provision of high-level advice to the marine sector, including industry, policymakers, NGOs and regulatory bodies. Our expertise includes strategic environmental assessment, stakeholder consultation and engagement, ocean governance and the management of marine data and information. We work alongside leading scientists around the world, and are partners in a number of major European research programmes addressing marine issues. For a full overview of the project portfolio and activities, please visit our website at www.seascapebelgium.be.

Profile and competences required:

  • Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline at Masters level or higher, preferably in a marine science or ICT domain;
  • At least one year of experience working with (marine) geospatial data, involving data manipulation and creation and management of map layers;
  • Ability to contribute to data portal testing, from both the user perspective and in terms of the technical framework required to deliver an effective data service to users;
  • Knowledge of advanced ICT terminology, tools and data management software, including GIS software, web-services and data standards  will be important (e.g. QGIS and ArcGIS desktop, GeoServer, PostGIS, GeoNetwork, GEONODE, …);
  • Familiarity of exchange standards such as XML, JSON, architecture and implementation of APIs (more specifically RESTful APIs) and programming languages such as PHP, Python, R, Java and/or other would be very useful;
  • Familiarity with the European marine data landscape and key data user communities would be a great advantage;
  • Excellent standard of spoken and written English (working language). Knowledge of the local language (Dutch) would be an advantage as well as any other European language;
  • Good communication skills: able to work in a small multi-cultural team and able to report progress and issues in an effective manner internally and externally at (technical) expert group meetings;
  • Excellent organisational skills with capacity to multitask, to deliver on allocated tasks and to meet deadlines in pressurised situations;
  • Be able to build successful and productive relationships with stakeholders, user groups and other project team members.

Duties and responsibilities (under guidance of the EMODnet Technical Coordinator):

  • Assist with the technical performance monitoring of the EMODnet data portals in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction, among others by assessing the portals’ functionality, interoperability, security, usability and data quality;
  • Support the communication, maintenance and further development of the European Atlas of the Seas;
  • Contribute to the EMODnet Secretariats technical tasks in related projects, in particular by assessing and streamlining the data flow from research projects and national data repositories to users of EMODnet and by supporting data system managers to ensure application of common standards and formats to ensure proper integration and improved interoperability between existing systems;
  • Contribute to pan-European technical studies on data requirements, e.g. in the framework of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and for the implementation of marine spatial planning;
  • Work with other members of the EMODnet Secretariat and Seascape in contributing to reports and deliverables and ensure your line manager and team members are regularly informed of progress, achievements and any emerging issues;
  • Travel to meetings elsewhere in Europe may be required from time to time.

Salary: this post commands an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

Application procedure: written applications comprising a cover letter and CV should be submitted via email to recruitment@seascapebelgium.be. Closing date/time for applications is 11/03/2019 at 12:00 CET. Interviews for shortlisted candidates are scheduled to take place on Monday 18 and/or 19/03/2019.

For more information about EMODnet and this position: 

E-mail: secretariat@emodnet.ec.europa.eu or phone: +32 (0) 497 43 33 71