About the Role
Job Description
Under the supervision of Professor Awa Niang-Fall, the International Volunteer (VIA) will support research activities primarily centered on understanding environmental changes and mapping risks affecting the coastal socio-ecosystems of Senegal. Much of this work involves developing indicators and maps to contribute—among other objectives—to the establishment 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 of Senegal), enabling access to funding.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide methodological and technical support, especially to interns and PhD students: guiding them in the use of GIS tools, processing remote sensing and drone imagery, and managing/survey data analysis.
Assist in training sessions led by senior specialists.
Participate directly in research activities: project workshops, field data collection, and populating an information platform.
Contribute to scientific dissemination and may be acknowledged as co-author on lab publications, depending on involvement.
Support overall lab functioning: organizing meetings and seminars (e.g., annual doctoral days), and performing administrative tasks (e.g., drafting purchase orders, preparing contracts), 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 start of mission.
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 cartographic outputs (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 academic staff.
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