Agricultural Drought GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist | APEP

• Commencement: November 2026
• Locally Engaged or International Short-Term Consultant – up to 60 input days over 6 Months (with possible extension subject to program requirements and performance)
• Port Moresby or Remote, with travel to Papua New Guinea as required  
• Open to Papua New Guinea citizens and international consultants 

*Abt is committed to advancing women’s leadership in PNG’s economic development and are building an environment where women can lead progress and shape economic outcomes. Abt promotes an inclusive, respectful and safe working environment for women and encourages PNG women and men to apply.

About the Program

The Australia–Papua New Guinea Economic Partnership (APEP) is a flagship partnership supporting Papua New Guinea’s economic development priorities. Delivered by the Government of Australia in close collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea, APEP focuses on strengthening economic systems, institutions, and opportunities that support sustainable and inclusive growth through to 2028.

Working alongside government, research institutions, and development partners, APEP delivers coordinated and high‑impact outcomes across four key engagement areas:

• Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability
• Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets
• Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods
• Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue

Gender equality, disability social inclusion (GEDSI), women’s economic empowerment, and climate are central to APEP and integrated across all engagement areas and activities.

El Niño conditions are affecting agricultural production, food and water security and rural livelihoods across Papua New Guinea. At the request of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, APEP will support national and provincial institutions to strengthen drought preparedness, assessment, coordination, response and agricultural recovery.

APEP’s proposed support includes national and targeted field assessments, provincial capacity development, remote-sensing analysis, vulnerability mapping, demonstrations of selected drought-mitigation technologies and support for agricultural recovery. Reliable and regularly updated spatial information will be required to understand where conditions are deteriorating, validate reported impacts, identify information gaps, guide field assessments and support the prioritisation of response activities.

About the Opportunity

The El Niño GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist will provide specialist spatial analysis, mapping and remote-sensing support for APEP’s El Niño preparedness, assessment, response and recovery activities.

The Specialist will compile and map reports of El Niño impacts, field assessment results, weather and climate information, drought indices and the location and coverage of response activities. They will bring together information from government agencies, provincial authorities, field teams, development partners, satellite platforms and contracted remote-sensing service providers.

The Specialist will liaise with companies producing satellite imagery, maps and other remote-sensing products for APEP. This will include helping define technical requirements, areas of interest, analytical products and delivery schedules, as well as reviewing outputs for accuracy, consistency and practical relevance.

The role will focus on translating complex spatial and remote-sensing information into clear maps, reports and briefing products that can be used by APEP, government agencies, Provincial Disaster Committees, the Food Security Cluster and other response partners.

Key responsibilities 

Spatial Data Management and Analysis

• Establish and maintain geospatial datasets relevant to drought preparedness, response and recovery.

• Integrate information from field assessments, government agencies, partners and remote-sensing products.

• Analyse spatial information to identify emerging impacts, hotspots, information gaps and priority areas for assessment or response.

   

Mapping and Decision Support

• Produce maps, dashboards, briefs and other spatial products to support decision-making.

• Map drought conditions, reported impacts, assessment coverage and response activities.

• Clearly communicate findings, limitations and areas of uncertainty.

Remote Sensing Support

• Analyse relevant remote-sensing and drought-monitoring products.

• Support the specification, commissioning and quality assurance of external remote-sensing services where required.

• Integrate remote-sensing outputs with field observations and other available data sources.

Coordination and Capacity Development

• Work with government agencies, provincial authorities and development partners to improve the availability and use of spatial information.

• Support knowledge transfer and practical capacity development of designated personnel.

Reporting

• Prepare maps, presentations, analytical briefs and other products as required.

• Contribute spatial analysis to assessments, reports and program planning processes.

Key Deliverables: 

The Specialist will provide deliverables as agreed with the Agricultural Growth and Livelihoods Team Leader. These are expected to include:

• A structured geospatial database and catalogue of relevant datasets, spatial products and information sources.

• A consistent system for recording and mapping reported El Niño impacts, assessment coverage and response activities.

• National and provincial maps showing reported impacts, weather and drought conditions, relevant indices and changes over time, assessed areas, activities delivered, etc

• Technical inputs into the design and commissioning of external remote-sensing services.

• Quality reviews of imagery, maps and analytical products delivered by remote-sensing companies.

• Map-based reports, analytical briefs, presentations and other decision-support products as required.

The exact nature, format, frequency and timing of deliverables will be agreed with the Agricultural Growth and Livelihoods Team Leader and may be adjusted in response to changing drought conditions, emerging information and government and program priorities.

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal

• Agricultural Growth and Livelihoods Team Leader

• Agricultural Growth and Livelihoods Adviser

External 

• Relevant UN agencies and development partners

• Remote-sensing companies and technical service providers

• Universities, research organisations and other spatial-data providers

• Field assessment teams and participating communities

• Department of Agriculture and Livestock

• Food Security Cluster members

• Development partners and humanitarian organisations

About You 

For applications to be considered, a response to the Key Selection Criteria below must be provided. 

Qualifications:

• A postgraduate qualification in GIS, remote sensing, geography, geomatics, environmental science, spatial data science or a closely related discipline.

• Additional professional training in disaster risk management, climate analysis, agriculture, hydrology or information management would be an advantage.

   

Essential: 

• At least five years' relevant professional experience in GIS, remote sensing and spatial analysis.

• Advanced proficiency in GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro, QGIS or equivalent platforms.

• Demonstrated experience applying remote sensing and spatial analysis to drought, agriculture, water, vegetation, climate hazards or related fields, including interpretation of satellite-derived indicators and integration with field and administrative data.

• Strong cartographic skills and demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate and decision-focused maps.

• Experience developing and maintaining geospatial databases, metadata and analytical workflows.

• Experience coordinating with technical service providers and multiple stakeholders to obtain, manage and apply spatial information.

• Strong analytical, communication and report-writing skills, including the ability to translate complex technical information for non-technical audiences.

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outputs within changing timeframes.

   

Desirable:

• Familiarity with relevant international satellite and climate datasets and platforms.

• Experience using cloud-based geospatial platforms such as Google Earth Engine or equivalent systems.

• Experience with web maps, spatial dashboards, automated analytical workflows or geospatial programming.

“We value capability and potential, and welcome applicants who believe they can succeed in this role”

How to Apply

• Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document. 
• Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted. 
• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

We welcome and thank all applications; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026 (Midday, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child 

Protection, Anti-bribery and Fraud Protection.

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities