Senior Geospatial Scientist

About West Africa Blue

West Africa contains 14% of the world’s remaining mangroves, vital coastal ecosystems that provide exceptional carbon sequestration benefits while protecting communities from erosion, storms, and flooding and supporting globally important biodiversity, including endangered species listed on the IUCN Red List. Yet these ecosystems face increasing pressures from climate change and human activities. Nature-based solutions, including high-integrity blue carbon projects, offer an opportunity to conserve and restore these critical landscapes while creating sustainable economic opportunities for coastal communities.

West Africa Blue (“Blue”) partners with communities and governments to pioneer and launch urgently needed high-integrity, financially sustainable, nature-based solutions. We seek to mitigate climate change, boost community resilience, and protect biodiversity. Our partnership builds income diversification opportunities, sustainable strategies, critical skills development, and enhanced financial inclusion, especially for women, in rural areas of Africa.

Our team is diverse, innovative, entrepreneurial and committed, with a deep, longstanding connection to West Africa. We are seeking compatible, mission-driven individuals to join our team!

The Role

The Senior Geospatial Scientist serves as the critical technical and scientific link between the Mapping and Carbon Science Lead and the junior technical team at West Africa Blue. This role is responsible for the technical integrity, scientific validation, and synthesis of all spatial data and analyses. You will translate complex technical outputs—such as change analysis, sea-level rise modelling, and baseline assessments—into actionable metrics for Emission Reduction (ER) calculations, financial models, and project documentation.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Oversight & Quality Assurance (The "Filter")

• Methodology Implementation: Implement and standardize analytical methodologies developed by the Mapping and Carbon Science Lead.
• Technical Validation: Conduct rigorous QA/QC on all outputs from the team, ensuring data is "audit-ready" before it reaches the Lead level.
• Advanced Spatial Modelling: Lead the most complex analytical tasks, specifically focusing on the intersection of coastal dynamics (erosion/sea-level rise) and carbon sequestration potential.

Synthesis & Integration (The "Bridge")

• Carbon Accounting Support: Convert spatial analysis results into the specific quantitative inputs required for ER calculations and carbon credit vintage projections.
• Financial Model Alignment: Ensure that data regarding project boundaries, leakage, and additionality is accurately formatted for integration into West Africa Blue's financial and feasibility models.

Team Management & Workflow Optimization

• Operational Leadership: Manage the daily workflow of the Analysts and Associate, ensuring project milestones are met on time.
• Decision Support & Dashboards: Oversee the architecture of PowerBI dashboards to ensure that market analysis and baseline data are visualized effectively for stakeholders.
• Technical Mentorship: Provide ongoing training to junior staff in remote sensing, spatial statistics, and the nuances of Blue Carbon science.
  
  

Required Technical Competencies

Geospatial & Data Science

• Advanced Remote Sensing: Expertise in multi-temporal change detection, land-cover classification, and analyzing coastal geomorphology.
• Software Proficiency: Expert-level skills in ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, and Google Earth Engine (JavaScript/Python API).
• Data Analytics: Proficiency in Python or R for automating spatial workflows and performing statistical validation.
• Visualization: High-level capability in PowerBI for connecting spatial datasets to interactive business intelligence reports.

Carbon & Climate Science

• MRV Knowledge: Deep understanding of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) frameworks under international standards (e.g., Verra, Gold Standard).
• Coastal Dynamics: Specialized knowledge in sea-level rise (SLR) modelling and coastal erosion impact assessments.
• Carbon Accounting: Familiarity with the mathematical frameworks of carbon sequestration, including baseline setting and leakage mitigation.
  
  

Experience & Qualifications

• Education: Master’s or Ph.D. in Geospatial Science, Environmental Science, Remote Sensing, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in spatial analysis, with at least 2 years in a senior or supervisory capacity.
• Sector Experience: Prior experience in blue carbon, forestry (REDD+), or nature-based solutions (NbS) is highly preferred.
  
  

Performance Indicators (KPIs)

1. Data Accuracy: Zero major technical errors identified during the Lead’s final review or external audits.
2. Reporting Efficiency: 100% on-time delivery of technical spatial reports for project documentation.
3. Team Growth: Measurable improvement in the junior team's technical proficiency and workflow automation.

If you are passionate about communities and the environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.