Consultant as Geospatial Data Scientist (Jakarta based)

Program Overview

The Data Lab Unit aims to establish a leading hub for open-source data, code, and visualizations, fostering data democratization and collaboration among NGOs and development partners. By addressing critical challenges such as unsustainable data platform management strategies, technical inconsistencies, and high employee turnover, the unit will ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of WRI Indonesia's platforms. This initiative transforms grant-dependent outputs into powerful tools for driving positive change in climate resilience, social equity, and nature conservation across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Aligning with WRI's strategy, the Data Lab Unit promotes systemic, data-driven solutions, transitioning WRI's approach from isolated project delivery to broader systems change while enhancing institutional capabilities and addressing financial sustainability gaps to create scalable, impactful initiatives.

Job Highlight

The Geospatial Data Scientist will support Data Lab Indonesia by delivering geospatial analytics, processing remotely sensed data, and delivering spatial modeling and intelligence aligned with strategic priorities. This role will contribute to the development and maintenance of flagship platforms, support programmatic initiatives across teams, and design pipelines for analysis-ready spatial data. Key responsibilities include the collection, cleaning, processing, and management of geospatial datasets, including GIS layers and remotely sensed imagery used by the Data Lab team. Additionally, this position will also provide geospatial data services and visualizations to other programs and research teams, collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality data standards, reproducibility, and proper documentation, and support the creation of spatial dashboards, story maps, and analytics products.

The Geospatial Data Scientist will report directly to the Senior Lead for Data Engineering and Innovatoin, work proactively with the Data Lab Indonesia team, and collaborate closely with other GIS Research Analysts in every program team to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of GIS-related activities, contributing to the overall success of the Data Lab initiatives. This position will be based in Jakarta with office-flex working arrangement and travel requirement as assigned. In support of WRI's DEI commitment, you are responsible for actively participating in these collaborative efforts by integrating equity into your work, our workplace, and the organizational culture.

What You Will Do

Research (80%)

• Conduct geospatial analysis and spatial intelligence research to support evidence-based decision-making across thematic areas relevant to Data Lab Indonesia.
• Contribute to research projects related to GeoAI (Geospatial Artificial Intelligence) and other relevant topics as needed.
• Design and implement geospatial models and algorithms for predictive analytics and apply machine learning and AI techniques for geospatial analysis where relevant.
• Collaborate with the team to expand the newly initiated GeoAI Lab, including co-defining problem statements and exploring the appropriate use of geospatial technologies. This includes the development of innovative new tools, methods, models, and techniques to enhance geospatial insight and support policy-relevant action.
• Explore new geospatial technologies, platforms, and methods (e.g., Google Earth Engine, cloud-based geospatial computing, AI/GeoAI).
• Develop and maintain a centralized repository for geospatial datasets with proper metadata and documentation and ensure data quality, standardization, and compliance with open data principles where applicable.
• Design, develop, and maintain spatial data and tools library, ensuring the availability of high-quality, analysis-ready datasets for current and future Data Lab initiatives.
• Actively contribute to the overall Data Lab research agenda and strategic direction, including internal knowledge-sharing, publications, and cross-program collaboration.
• Establish and maintain high-quality data management standards and workflows to ensure reproducibility.

Project Management (2o%)

• Document geospatial methodologies, processes, and scripts for transparency and knowledge sharing.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of researchers, project managers, data engineers, data scientist, designers, communication to integrate geospatial insights into program strategies

What You Will Need

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geospatial Science, Geography, Environmental Science, Remote Sensing, Computer Science, Data Science, or related fields
• Minimum 3 (three) years of professional experience in geospatial data analysis, remote sensing, or spatial data science
• Proven track record in managing, processing, and analyzing large geospatial datasets and remotely sensed imagery (satellite imagery, climate datasets, biodiversity, urban)
• Strong proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) and cloud-based geospatial platforms (Google Earth Engine, Sentinel Hub, etc.)
• Solid experience with geospatial programming libraries in Python (e.g., GDAL, Rasterio, GeoPandas, Shapely, PyTorch/TensorFlow for ML) and/or R (sf, raster, terra)
• Hands-on experience with satellite imagery preprocessing and analysis (Landsat, Sentinel, MODIS, Planet, etc.)
• Familiarity with machine learning/AI techniques for geospatial applications (classification, clustering, change detection, predictive modeling)
• Solid understanding of statistics and geo-statistics concepts and methods
• Familiarity with data wrangling and database management of multiple remote sensing data types
• Familiarity with spatial databases (PostGIS, BigQuery GIS) and workflow automation for reproducibility
• Automate data processing workflow where feasible, maintaining documentation and tools for reproducible data review
• Experience creating geospatial dashboards and visualizations (Tableau, PowerBI, ArcGIS Online, Kepler.gl, Leaflet, Mapbox, or similar)
• Understanding of cloud computing environments (Google Cloud, AWS, or Azure) for geospatial data processing
• Strong writing skills for both technical and general audiences
• Highly organized and systematic with strong time management skills and ability to juggle competing priorities and deadlines required

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Remote Sensing, geoinformatics, earth observation, computer science, data science, geography or any other related field
• Familiarity with GeoAI methods, including deep learning for satellite image analysis (object detection, semantic segmentation, time-series analysis)
• Hands-on experience working with latest algorithms from computer science and machine learning to spatial data analyses in geosciences

Durations

15 September 2025 – 31 December 2025 with possibility of extension subject to individual performance, project needs, and budget availability.

Deliverables

1. Develop at least 2 spatial models and GeoAI-driven analytical layers to support ongoing and emerging geospatial research within the Data Lab.

2. Provide at least 2 high-quality support for spatial research, including conducting literature reviews, sourcing and managing datasets, and performing geospatial data analysis.

3. Deliver 2 baseline geospatial analysis using GIS software, scripted workflows (e.g. Python/R pipelines), and Google Earth Engine to fulfill spatial intelligence needs across all Data Lab initiatives.

4. Document and maintain organized workflows in the first 3 months for data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization, ensuring transparency and reproducibility using GIS tools or programing languages.

5. Respond to at least 2 geospatial requests to the development of project documentation, technical reports, and research publications, supporting all relevant streams of work under the Data Lab.

Terms of Payment

Daily rate-based consultant with a maximum of 18 (eighteen) working days per month.

Contract Arrangement

Individual consultancy contract (Part-time, limited term)

What we offer

• Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skills
• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
• Access to the WRI global network
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.

Final candidates might be required to take a writing test and to produce two writing samples when needed.

How to apply: In order to be formally considered, please submit an updated resume and cover letter through WRI career portal.

Application close: 1700 (DKI Jakarta local time), 9 September 2025. We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates.

This is a locally engaged position; Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply.