Hi! I'm a Geospatial Data Scientist specializing in GIS, Remote Sensing, and Spatial Data Science.

Seasoned Geospatial Data Scientist with over 16 years of expertise in GIS and remote sensing service development, specializing in automation of GIS and remote sensing workflows, geospatial risk analysis, GIS software development for climatic and environmental monitoring applications. I possess extensive international experience supporting countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa with international organizations such as UNICEF, UN-WFP, NASA, the European Union, African Union.

Areas of Expertise

  • Innovative in software development tailored to geospatial analysis requirements.
  • Expert in computer programming for GIS applications and automating geospatial workflows utilizing Python, GDAL, ArcPy, Linux, and R, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
  • Skilled in Geospatial Cloud Computing with Google Earth Engine (GEE) and adept in version control with Git.
  • Advanced in Data Science and Analytics, utilizing tools such as Power BI, Tableau, and R Shiny, coupled with expertise in mobile data collection via ODK.
  • Proficient in applying Machine Learning techniques for satellite image classification.
  • Committed to capacity building and academic excellence through lecturing in GIS and RS.
  • Competent in web programming for geospatial data integration with GeoServer, Leaflet, PHP, and OpenLayers.
  • Spatial & Multi-criteria analysis/ Modelling using GIS.
  • Development of GIS and remote sensing products for parametric insurance.
  • Geodatabase development and management (Postgres, PostGIS, and Spatialite).
  • Development of GUI-based GIS and Remote Sensing tools.
  • Proven track record in managing EU and USAID-funded projects.
  • Extensive involvement in regional GIS and remote sensing environmental monitoring projects across Southern and Eastern Africa.
  • Proficient in leveraging GIS and Remote Sensing for advanced food security, environmental monitoring, and impactful humanitarian initiatives.
  • Strategic in implementing Anticipatory Action, Parametric Insurance, and Contingency Planning for risk mitigation.
  • Accomplished in authoring scientific publications and excelling in technical writing for knowledge dissemination.

Qualifications

  • PhD Environment and Society-University of Pretoria (January 2017 – September 2020) Thesis focused on the evaluating drought effects on southern African vegetation through advanced remote sensing techniques.
  • Masters in Environmental Policy and Planning. University of Zimbabwe (March 2006 July 2007) Best student, excelling with distinctions in GIS & RS.
  • BA. Honours in Geography. University of Zimbabwe (August 2002 June 2005)
  • Postgraduate certificate course in Applications of Earth Observation and GIS in IWRM. ITC (19 January to 8 May 2009) - Best student
  • Geographic Software design . University of Tennessee, USA (22 January to 7 May 2025)

Professional experience

  • Geospatial Data Scientist - SGI STUDIO GALLI INGEGNERIA (Aug 2023 – Jan 202) - Led drought indicator calculations and early warning system architecture.
  • Geospatial Data Scientist - Freelance (Aug 2023 – July 2024) - Developed scripts for satellite rainfall validation and web mapping services.
  • Geospatial Risk Analyst - UNICEF EMOPS, USA (Nov 2022 – May 2023) - Developed geospatial risk analysis dashboards and emergency preparedness tools.
  • Risk Analyst - UN-WFP / African Risk Capacity, South Africa (Mar 2020 – Oct 2022) - Developed GIS-based risk models for drought and flood parametric insurance.
  • Capacity Development Lead - Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, Kenya (Aug 2019 – Mar 2020) - Led GIS & RS capacity-building initiatives in Eastern & Southern Africa.
  • Lecturer - University of Zimbabwe (Oct 2017 – Mar 2019) - Taught GIS, Remote Sensing, and Geospatial Programming.
  • Senior Thematic Expert - MESA SADC Thema Project (Nov 2013 – Sept 2017) - Developed GIS and RS-based systems for monitoring drought, wildfire,crops and floods
  • Senior Thematic Expert - AMESD SADC Thema Project (Nov 2010 – June 2013) - Developed GIS and RS-based systems for monitoring drought, wildfire,crops and floods.
  • GIS & Remote Sensing Specialist - Zimbabwe National Water Authority (June 2007 – Oct 2010) - Led GIS division, developed web-based GIS applications.

Portfolio

My portfolio showcases a range of projects in geospatial risk analysis, environmental monitoring, and disaster risk management. It also highlights my expertise in developing GIS and Remote sensing tools and data visualization and analytics

Crop monitoring

Webmapping

Automation of GIS & RS workflows

Remote Sensing

Capacity Building

Spatial databases

Research and publications

  • UNDRR Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction - Mapping Resilience for the Sustainable Development Goals (GAR2023). Contributing author from UNICEF HQ. DOI link.
  • Marumbwa FM, Cho MA, and Chirwa PW. (2020) An assessment of remote sensing-based drought index over different land cover types in southern Africa, International Journal of Remote Sensing, 41:19, 7368-7382. Available at: DOI link.
  • Marumbwa FM, Cho MA, and Chirwa PW. (2020) Geospatial analysis of meteorological drought impact on southern Africa biomes, International Journal of Remote Sensing, Volume 42, 2021 - Issue 6. Available at: DOI link.
  • Marumbwa FM, Cho MA, and Chirwa PW. (2019) Analysis of spatio-temporal rainfall trends across southern African biomes between 1981 and 2016, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C. Available at: DOI link.
  • Archer, Emma Rosa Mary; Landman, Willem Adolf; Tadross, Mark Alexander; Malherbe, Johan; Weepener, Harold; Maluleke, Phumzile; Marumbwa, Farai Maxwell (2017) Understanding the evolution of the 2014–2016 summer rainfall seasons in southern Africa: Key lessons, Climate Risk Management, pp.0–6. Available at: DOI link.

Awards

  • Best Employee – Recognized for outstanding performance in two consecutive projects, awarded a certificate and letter of appreciation.
  • Best Master's Student – Awarded the university book prize for exceptional academic performance.
  • Postgraduate Certificate in the Applications of Earth Observation and GIS in IWRM program– Recognized as the best student .
  • University of Pretoria Postgraduate Doctoral Bursary – Awarded a bursary for postgraduate doctoral studies.

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