Site Suitability and Crop Modeling Expert

Reports to: Senior Climate Scientist and Systems Modeler Location: Remote Purpose of the position The SURE-RESULTS project, funded by GIZ and implemented by ICARDA, aims to improve food and nutrition security in southern Yemen from December 2024 to November 2026 across Lahij, Aden, Abyan, and Taizz. The project features three integrated components: (1) strengthening the small ruminant dairy value chain for sheep and goats, focusing on vulnerable groups and introducing quick technical innovations; (2) promoting climate-smart, nutrition-sensitive agriculture through soil improvement, water optimization, and diversified cropping systems; and (3) building local capacity by training community members, especially women and marginalized farmers. A key activity, Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) activity in this project, uses remote sensing and climate analytics to monitor environmental changes, assess climate risks, and support targeted interventions with site mapping via advanced geospatial methods. The adaptation of ICARDA’s GeoAgro platform provides localized, real-time advisories through a mobile app for farmers and dashboards for extension agents, enabling informed responses to climate challenges and enhancing rural resilience and food security in Yemen. A international consultant is sought for the climate analytics component of EWEA. About ICARDA The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR. ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org. Main responsibilities This assignment uses multi-temporal remote sensing and climate data to map site suitability for climate-smart interventions, estimate yield gaps for key crops and livestock, and analyze scenarios under different climate, land-use, and socio-economic conditions as part of the GIZ Yemen Project. Outputs will be delivered as interactive GEE dashboards with embeddable URLs for the EWEA portal, along with short progress and technical reports. Education, Qualifications, and Experience Master’s degree or higher in Remote Sensing, Agricultural Science, or a related field. Demonstrated expertise in AI/ML-based site suitability mapping, data-driven crop modelling, and remote sensing (RS)-based modelling. Skilled in remote sensing analytics and geospatial data processing using GEE, Python, and related platforms. Experienced in analysing large datasets to identify variability, risks, and trends relevant to agricultural productivity. Proficient in developing interactive geospatial dashboards, thematic user interfaces, and web-integrated maps. Strong English communication and reporting abilities for both technical and non-technical audiences Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits The successful candidate will be offered a 6-month temporary contract on a full-time basis. The Incumbent will be provided with an honorarium based on the project deliverables. Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.