About the Role
Company: INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT (IRD)
Position: Chargé de mission en appui à un observatoire Géographe/géomaticien société-environnement H/F
Under the supervision of Professor Awa Niang-Fall, the Volunteer in International Assignment (VIA) will support the team in research primarily focused on understanding environmental changes and mapping risks affecting the coastal socio-ecosystems of Senegal. Much of this work involves producing indicators and maps to contribute—among other objectives—to the development of a National Coastal Observatory, aimed at supporting the implementation and monitoring of national and territorial policies for coastal zone management—including tourism-related challenges. These activities are embedded within several international and national projects (e.g., WACA-VAR research component of the West Africa Coastal Areas Program; National Coastal Observatory in Senegal), enabling access to funding.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide methodological and technical support—particularly to interns and PhD students—in areas such as:
- Guidance and assistance with GIS software tools
- Processing of remote sensing and drone imagery
- Management and analysis of survey data
Assist in training sessions led by senior specialists
Participate in research activities, including project workshops, field data collection, and populating an information platform
Contribute to scientific dissemination and potentially co-author publications from the laboratory
Support overall lab functioning by:
- Organizing meetings, seminars, and annual doctoral days
- Handling administrative tasks (e.g., drafting purchase orders, preparing contract documentation) under the supervision of the lab manager and in coordination with the IRD Dakar Center administration
Working Conditions:
Mandatory CV information: Date of birth, permanent address, and CIVI number must be included.
Eligibility criteria:
- Nationality of an EU Member State
- Under 28 years old at application date
- Under 29 years old at mission start date
Desired Profile:
Master’s degree (M2) or Engineering degree in Geography, Geomatics, Geomorphology, Environment, Agronomy, or Economics—with strong GIS skills.
Required Competencies:
Design and conduct surveys; organize storage and processing of collected data
Use remote sensing and drone imagery
Integrate survey data with spatial layers to produce statistical or thematic maps using appropriate GIS software (e.g., QGIS)
Write methodological protocols
Communicate results effectively through written analyses, with guidance from researchers and faculty
Personal Attributes:
Ability to integrate into multicultural and multidisciplinary teams
Interest in diverse cultures and knowledge systems
Enthusiasm for fieldwork and interaction with local communities (farmers, fishermen, etc.)
Capacity to collaborate both on-site and remotely with short- or long-term mission staff from various disciplines based in Dakar
Salary:
€2,646 per month