The AKTC was founded in 1988 and is registered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a private, non-denominational, philanthropic foundation. It is an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a family of institutions created by His Highness the Aga Khan, with distinct yet complementary mandates to improve the welfare and prospects of people in countries in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa. AKTC is currently operating in Afghanistan under the name of Aga Khan Cultural Services – Afghanistan (AKCS-A) and is registered with the Ministry of Economy of the country.

Part of the wider development program of the AKDN in Afghanistan, the AKCS-A has since 2002 been engaged in a range of initiatives in Kabul, Heart, Balkh, Badakhshan, Ghazni, and Logar aimed at the conservation and revitalization of historic neighborhoods, the improvement of living conditions and the development of professional and crafts skills.

AKCS-A is implementing several projects in Afghanistan aimed at protecting Afghanistan’s tangible/intangible cultural heritage and improving the living conditions of the inhabitants, as part of a broader process of urban revitalization.  Working within a team of Afghan and international professionals, under the direct supervision of the CEO or his/her designate, the GIS Trainer will be involved in a range of digital archiving activities in support of AKCS-A’s conservation and rehabilitation activities in Afghanistan.

Background:

AKCS-A is implementing a capacity-building initiative to enhance the documentation and mapping skills of NGO partners. A core component of this initiative involves developing a GIS-based open-source applications and associated databases to document and visualize project activities effectively. The GIS Trainer will play a critical role in the training of open-source GIS applications needed for this initiative.

Purpose of the Role:

The GIS Trainer will lead capacity-building workshops focused on open-source GIS applications such as QGIS, empowering participants with the skills to generate high-quality spatial data visualizations. The trainer will ensure the transfer of practical, applicable knowledge, enabling NGO staff to document their interventions with precision and professionalism, thus contributing to more effective project implementation and monitoring.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Training Design and Preparation:

• Conduct a needs assessment of the participating NGOs to tailor training materials to their technical capacities and project needs.
• Develop user-friendly training manuals, guides, and resources for using GIS tools like QGIS, ensuring they align with project objectives.
• Design an interactive and phased training curriculum that includes foundational concepts, intermediate skills, and advanced applications for technical mapping and documentation.

2. Training Delivery:

• Conduct a series of workshops with a mix of theoretical and hands-on practical sessions to ensure participants understand the full range of GIS functionalities.
• Introduce participants to foundational GIS concepts, including spatial data analysis, symbology, data layering, and attribute table management.
• Teach advanced skills for creating visually compelling maps, integrating spatial data, and generating professional outputs.
• Demonstrate the integration of GIS data with other tools such as AutoCAD for technical drawings, enabling participants to produce outputs suitable for stakeholders and donors.

3. Practical Applications and Real-World Scenarios:

• Guide participants in applying GIS skills to real-world scenarios, such as mapping reforestation areas, irrigation systems, and other project-specific interventions.
• Provide live demonstrations on creating detailed maps with accurate layers, annotations, and visualizations tailored to project requirements.

4. Participant Support and Capacity Building:

• Offer individualized support during training to address participant-specific challenges and knowledge gaps.
• Foster confidence and independence among participants to apply GIS skills effectively in their professional roles.
• Encourage peer-to-peer learning and group exercises to enhance knowledge exchange among participants.

5. Monitoring and Feedback:

• Evaluate participant progress through assessments, exercises, and project-based outputs created during the training.
• Gather feedback from participants to refine training approaches and address any gaps in understanding.
• Prepare detailed training reports summarizing progress, challenges, achievements, and recommendations for future capacity-building efforts.

6. Post-Training Follow-Up:

• Provide ongoing support to participants post-training, including troubleshooting technical issues and answering questions about GIS applications.
• Develop and share supplemental resources for continuous learning and practice.

Key Outputs and Deliverables

1. Comprehensive Training Materials: Manuals, guides, and presentations tailored to the project’s objectives and participant needs.
2. Workshop Delivery: Successful facilitation of workshops covering foundational to advanced GIS concepts, with high levels of participant engagement and satisfaction.
3. Participant Outputs: High-quality maps and technical outputs created by trainees during practical sessions, demonstrating their applied learning.
4. Training Reports: Detailed post-training reports highlighting participant progress, challenges faced, and recommendations for further capacity building.
5. Capacity Enhancement: A skilled cohort of NGO staff capable of independently producing professional GIS outputs for project documentation and reporting.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Geography, GIS, Remote Sensing, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in using open-source GIS applications, particularly QGIS, for data analysis and visualization.
• Strong knowledge of cartography principles, spatial data analysis, and data visualization techniques.
• Proven experience in training or teaching, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with diverse participants.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in GIS tools and software, including QGIS and AutoCAD.
• Experience in integrating GIS data with desktop applications for technical drawing and reporting.
• Familiarity with GPS data collection and processing.
• Strong knowledge of spatial data management, geoprocessing, and map layout design.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in development or humanitarian projects, particularly those involving capacity building.
• Familiarity with Afghanistan’s geographic and socio-economic context.
• Knowledge of other GIS tools, such as ArcGIS, and database management systems.
• Experience with data visualization software and tools for creating professional presentations.

Competencies

• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt training approaches to meet diverse participant needs.
• Commitment to building participant confidence and fostering collaborative learning.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to deliver high-quality training within deadlines.

Interested Afghan nationals should submit their letter of interest and CV by e-mail to the Human Resources Department through, jobs.akcsafg@akdn.org

The subject line of your email must be: (GIS Trainer/2025/04). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a written test and/or an interview no later than March 1, 2025.

AKCS-A is an equal opportunities employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

AT THIS STAGE, PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT THE SCAN COPIES OF YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (degree, certificates, etc.)