Applications Open: Systems Manager/GIS Professional

The Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) is a research centre set up to build the knowledge base that government, business, labour, civil society and citizens need to develop a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Gauteng City-Region (GCR). We undertake research in partnership with others, collect data and use it to benchmark the GCR locally and internationally, and provide policy support to government, working to the highest academic standards. A key part of GCRO’s success has been the analysis and visualisation of spatial data. This is reflected in the Analytics, Cartographies and Visualisation research theme, and various outputs such as the map of the month and GIS viewer. GCRO wants to expand its research in these areas by, for example, exploring new spatial digital data sources and dynamic visualisations, conducting urban growth simulation, modelling trends in the GCR and investigating smart cities in a developing city-regional context. The GCRO looking to appoint a highly motivated and skilled Systems Manager/GIS professional with extensive GIS expertise. Ideally, the successful candidate will be appointed in a dual track academic/professional support post, contributing both academically and professionally.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Systems Manager will be expected to:

• Provide strategic GIS leadership for the GCRO and its stakeholders
• Working with GCRO GIS staff (researchers and interns), oversee the GIS analysis/visualisation within the organisation and production of various interactive and static outputs such as map of the month or story maps
• Manage the ongoing development and maintenance of various applications, such as the GIS viewer and Quality of Life survey viewer
• Manage the day to day operation of GCRO’s geodatabases and IT systems
• Preferably, undertake research and publish in academic journals

Selection Criteria

• Hold a Masters or PhD degree in disciplines such as GIS/Geoinformatics, Geography or Environmental Sciences, Information Systems, or Town Planning. Exceptional Honours graduates may also be considered
• Demonstrate extensive experience in GIS analysis, mapping and/or modelling with a minimum of 5 years’ experience (GCRO currently uses a range of Esri software)
• Possess good experience and/or knowledge of developing web GIS applications
• Ideally have a working knowledge of statistical software such as SPSS
• Have an interest in GIS research in an urban context, in the field of advanced spatial analysis and visualisation
• Registration with PLATO as a Professional GISc Practitioner will be an advantage

How to apply

To apply, submit a covering letter that specifically addresses the selection criteria; a detailed CV with names, addresses, contact numbers and e-mails addresses of 3 referees willing to provide references; written examples of applicable GIS projects or research, and certified copies of your academic/professional qualifications, i.e. degrees/diplomas and academic record/transcripts to: The Executive Director, GCRO, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050 or e- mailed to info@gcro.ac.za. The closing date for all applications is 16:00 hrs on Monday 30 November 2015. The GCRO reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to complete a short GIS practical exercise as part of the interview process.