Role title: GIS analyst volunteer, MSF & Missing Maps
Location: MSF HQ, London
Department: Manson Unit (MSF UK specialist medical unit)
Role description:
About MédecinsSansFrontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
MSF exists to save lives by providing medical aid where it is needed most – in armed conflicts, epidemics, famines and natural disasters. All these situations call for a rapid response with specialised medical and logistical help. But, we also run longer-term projects, tackling health crises and supporting people where the need is greatest. We currently have projects running in over 60 countries.
About the Manson Unit
The Manson Unit is a team of experts that aims to improve the quality of MSF’s medical programmes worldwide.
Made up of medical doctors, a laboratory specialist, epidemiologists, a GIS (geographical information systems) officer and a medical editor, the Manson Unit identifies developments in the management of medical issues such as tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, malaria and outbreaks of infectious diseases and environmental contamination.
The unit then helps MSF field projects put these changes into practice, monitors the implementation of these changes and documents lessons learned from the experience.
About Missing Maps
The Missing Maps Project is an open, collaborative initiative founded by MédecinsSansFrontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF UK), the British Red Cross, the American Red Cross and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT).
The aim of the project is to put the most crisis-prone parts of the developing world on the map. Find out more at missingmaps.org
About this role
Join the MSF UK GIS team and help us achieve our project aims by providing maps, mapping capability and analysis for use by MSF medical teams working in the field.
There are a wide variety of tasks (as listed below) that vary depending on workload and skills available. You will need to be flexible.
Typical tasks include:
- Geographic analysis and further system and process development - Tools include: Quantum GIS / ArcGIS / Tile Mill / Python / PHP, CSS and Geoserver. Etc. (you don't need to know them all)
- Data analysis and cleaning. Reviewing and or cleaning data and supporting others in doing the same - Tools: Excel / Access / PostgreSQL etc
- Presentation and formatting graphics images and data. Taking digital outputs like maps, graphs and data and then manipulating them for a much better user / viewer experience - Tools: Adobe Illustrator / GIMP / Excel / power point / word / light video editing software.
- Supporting Missing Maps field mapping with data analysis and helping to plan field mapping and remote mapping activities.
What we are looking for
You need to have good interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills although full training can be given for any technical requirements. We keep the beneficiary at the heart of what we do, working to understand their needs and the difference we make.
Also someone who:
- is passionate about maps / data visualisation
- has a 2.1 GIS or Computer Science degree or relevant experiences.
- has two or more days a week free to volunteer during office hours in the London office (near Chancery Lane tube).
- is interested in the humanitarian sector and has previous volunteering experiences
What we offer
- Access to relevant in-house training and development opportunities, including e-learning facilities
- The opportunity to contribute directly to the work of MSF around the world
- A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and to gain new ones
- Reasonable out-of-pocket travel and lunch expenses paid
Applying for this role:
The post will be open until the right candidate/s has been found. If you email us at with the following, we will get back to you as soon as we can:
- Your previous volunteering experience in less than 100 words.
- How this volunteer opportunity fits your path in less than 100 words.
- A link to any map you have made.
- A TED talk that you thought was particularly interesting.
- Your CV.