Vacancy announcement – Project Researcher

Project: Development of HELCOM Data and Geographic Information System for supporting the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan

Location: HELCOM Secretariat, Helsinki, Finland

Duration: 9 months with possible extension to 18 months

Starting date: Beginning of 2009

Background

The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (Helsinki Commission – HELCOM) is the governing body of the "Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area" - more usually known as the Helsinki Convention. HELCOM works to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution through intergovernmental co-operation between Denmark, Estonia, the European Community, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden.

One of HELCOM’s roles in the region is to produce and disseminate information about the Baltic Sea to decision makers, the scientific community, media and the general public. In order to enhance its role as a regional focal point for environmental information, HELCOM is increasingly using geographic information systems (GIS) consisting of databases and web-based map services.

Job description

The Nordic Council of Ministers has agreed to fund a project, of approximately 18 months duration, aimed at further developing the HELCOM GIS system. The project will facilitate the implementation of the recently adopted HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), in particular the decision by HELCOM Contracting Parties “to expand the HELCOM Geographic Information System with an interface on the HELCOM website showing the progress towards a healthy Baltic Sea”.

The project has two main goals:

1. To evaluate and improve the current HELCOM GIS system in order to facilitate the work of HELCOM and its Contracting Parties now and in the future.
2. To design an internet based map service which provides tools for visualising the eutrophication status of the Baltic Sea and assessing the success of implemented measures to reach agreed targets.

The approved project is made up of two work packages, for which further information is outlined in the Project Description below.

Requirement

At present, HELCOM is seeking a Project Researcher for implementing work package 1, although continuation of the work in work package two is very likely. The project will start in the beginning of 2009, at the latest in April.

Applicants should have:

-          An educational background in geography, environmental sciences and/or computer sciences

-          Skills in GIS (specifically ESRI software) and databases (MS Access and SQL Server preferably)

-          An ability to work with initiative, both independently and as part of a team, including with colleagues from organizations in the region

-          Written and spoken fluency in English.

Knowledge of internet based map services and the Baltic Sea ecosystem are also desirable.

The Project Researcher will work closely together with other staff members of the HELCOM Secretariat. The project will be implemented at the premises of the HELCOM Secretariat in Helsinki. The working language of HELCOM is English.

Applications

Interested candidates are invited to send a letter of motivation and CV in English to Minna Pyhälä (minna.pyhala@helcom.fi) at the latest on 9 November 2008.

Further information about the vacancy and project is available from:

Minna Pyhälä (tel. +358-207 412 626, minna.pyhala@helcom.fi)

Samuli Neuvonen (tel. +358-207 412 634, samuli.neuvonen@helcom.fi)

Project Description

Work Package 1 (3 months)

Task: To draft the overall structure and architecture of the HELCOM Data and GIS system, specifically:

-          Evaluate the current structure, contents and future needs of the HELCOM GIS and data management system

-          Investigate external databases and data portals, including their technical structures taking also into account developments on European (e.g. INSPIRE related activities) and international levels

-          Investigate data standard developments at HELCOM Contracting Party and European levels in order to ensure that HELCOM systems will be compatible also in the future

Expected Outcome: General outline for a future architecture for the HELCOM Data and GIS system that:

-          is linked to HELCOM databases

-          includes interactive mapping tools for visualising complex information and allowing user-friendly downloading of data

-          includes a data and metadata portal with access to HELCOM data and also information on how to access non-HELCOM Baltic Sea related data

-          is flexible and compatible so that it can be linked to existing and future databases (HELCOM as well as various national, regional, and international) and supports European initiatives (e.g. INSPIRE, SEIS and WISE) 

Work Package 2 (15 months)

Task: To develop a web-based interactive GIS map for viewing and evaluating the eutrophication status of the Baltic Sea. The map-based tool will visualise nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea as well as the state of the marine environment using eutrophication related indicators in the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) and further developed by HELCOM eutrophication projects. The tool will furthermore illustrate agreed ecological objectives and targets, thus allowing users to monitor the efficiency of implemented measures and actions adopted under the action plan and thus also the progress towards a healthy Baltic Sea.

Specific tasks include:

-          establish connections to existing HELCOM data sources (e.g. Pollution Load Compilation and Indicator databases) and compile available eutrophication related data

-          make use of the eutrophication assessment tool developed by the HELCOM project EUTRO-PRO (http://www.helcom.fi/projects/on_going/en_GB/EUTRO-PRO2/)

-          develop an interactive GIS based map interface to allow viewing of eutrophication related data, indicators and targets with a special attention in visualisation

Expected Outcome

A web-based interface (interactive GIS map) that visualises eutrophication related data (including indicators, reference values and targets), in order to allow for assessment of the progress towards the BSAP goal of a Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication. The purpose of the interface is for users to be able to see:

-          the pressures to the marine environment (e.g. pollution loads),

-          the state of the marine environment according to latest available information, and

-          the progress made in reaching the BSAP targets

This tool will therefore allow users to identify how close we are to reaching agreed targets and how well agreed measures are working to restore the Baltic Sea, thus serving as a tool for adaptive management and informing decision-makers, stakeholders and the public if further measures are needed.