DevTech is a mission-driven firm specializing in innovative, data-driven solutions that help governments, civil society, and the private sector strengthen public financial systems, unlock investment, and make informed decisions in complex environments. We combine advanced analytics, contextual insight, and blended finance strategies to deliver practical, forward-looking solutions worldwide. Guided by our core values of integrity, innovation, evidence-driven impact, resilience, and collaboration, DevTech works transparently and in close partnership with clients and communities to achieve measurable results and lasting impact.

DevTech is looking for a Senior Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist and Analyst to work as an institutional contractor on its Analytics, Data, Visualization, and Information Services 2.0 (ADVISE 2.0) contract with the United States Department of State.  The Senior GIS Specialist and Analyst will work with the Office of Global Food Security (GFS) to support Humanitarian Assistance (HA) across the Department of State . The Senior GIS Specialist and Analyst will support the Humanitarian Data, Assessment, & Coordination unit within GFS’ Technical Quality & Assurance Division.  The Humanitarian Data, Assessment, & Coordination unit strives to create and share decision support products with humanitarian assistance decision makers to improve their understanding of humanitarian needs, internal and external humanitarian data, and to improve the quality and targeting of global humanitarian assistance in crisis settings. 

Overall, this role is responsible for designing and delivering geospatial analyses and decision support products that enable DOS staff to make evidence-informed decisions about humanitarian action. The Senior GIS Specialist and Analyst will serve as the geospatial subject matter expert for the unit and will work closely with leadership, analysts, and developers to ensure that spatial data and analysis are effectively integrated into broader decision support products.

The Specialist will identify how geospatial data and methods can best inform specific humanitarian decisions, translate those needs into high-quality spatial analyses and products, and ensure outputs are clear, accessible, and actionable for decision makers. This role requires high autonomy, strong technical expertise, and the ability to communicate complex spatial information to non-technical audiences.

The Specialist will also help shape standards, workflows, and best practices for humanitarian geospatial analysis, including integration with data visualization platforms such as Tableau.

Responsibilities 

• Design and implement an approach to GIS decision support product development that enables effective access, interpretation, and use of data. 
• Provide expert technical advice aimed at creating a seamless, engaging, integrated, and rapidly informative GIS experience for users of the decision support platform 
• Build, maintain, and document geospatial databases that support humanitarian analysis needs. 
• Perform advanced spatial and nonspatial analysis, integrating geospatial and non-geospatial data.  
• Create clear, decision-oriented geospatial products, including complex maps and datasets, that are designed to support user understanding and connect seamlessly with Tableau. 
• Develop and implement GeoAI practices, tools, and workflows to improve geospatial analysis (e.g. change detection or predictive modeling) and automation.  
• Develop automated workflows and scripts for data processing, analysis, and quality control. 
• Evaluate data fitness, limitations, uncertainty, and ethical considerations and guide users accordingly. 
• Provide technical advice on humanitarian geospatial data sources and tools. 
• Train and mentor colleagues on GIS tools, data management, analysis methods, and responsible data use. 
• Collaborate with team members to design geospatial approaches that address programmatic and operational questions. 
• Document processes, produce guidance materials, and contribute to continuous improvement of GIS services. 
• Proactively navigate ethical and protection guidelines for artificial intelligence applications. 
• Proactively identify emerging geospatial tools, datasets, and methods that can enhance humanitarian analysis. 
• Occasionally, respond quickly to data needs for responses to rapid onset disasters or urgent decision-making requests.  

General  

• As needed, may serve on temporary detail within the bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the scope of work provided.  
• In compliance with the Department of State and contractor policies and procedures, consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind. 
• Demonstrate consistent accountability for adherence to and knowledge of laws, executive orders, and Department of State’s policies which prohibit Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and non-EEO infringements as well as the Department’s zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, including harassment, exploitation, and abuse of any kind. Understand reporting criteria and report up in a timely manner. 

Requirements 

• A bachelor’s degree in geography, geospatial science, environmental science, data science, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred or equivalent professional experience. 
• Extensive experience applying GIS in a humanitarian or crisis-response context.
• Candidate must have strong ability to connect traditional spatial workflows with artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches. 
• Familiarity with humanitarian geospatial datasets. 
• Advanced proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and QGIS, with strong skills in Python or SQL. 
• Experience integrating GIS outputs with Tableau and similar data visualization tools. 
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex spatial analyses that inform real world decisions. 
• Demonstrated ability to translate user needs into well-designed geospatial decision support products. 
• Ability to explain complex concepts to nontechnical audiences and collaborate effectively across teams. 
• Commitment to data quality, responsible data use, and rigorous analytical standards. 
• Familiarity with cloud-based data environments and modern data engineering tools. 
• Experience with remote sensing or advanced modeling techniques. 
• The candidate must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for the required U.S. government security clearance for this project.

This position’s place of performance is Washington D.C. Remote work has been authorized for this position.