2026 Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Project Coordinator Role: Driving Global Mapping Transformation

The Project Coordinator – HOT Transformation (Fractional Role) at Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team is a strategic internal opportunity focused on supporting a major organizational shift toward scalable, locally led mapping services. Although included in United Nations job listings, this position sits within an independent nonprofit working closely with humanitarian and development partners.

Organizational Context

Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) works globally to improve access to open geospatial data for humanitarian and development use. The organization supports community-driven mapping efforts that help governments and NGOs respond more effectively to crises and development challenges.

HOT is currently undergoing a major transformation, shifting from a volunteer-driven model to a more structured and sustainable system focused on:

• Locally led mapping and data services
• Scalable community-generated geospatial data
• An open mapping marketplace model
• Increased reliance on earned revenue alongside philanthropic funding

This evolution aims to strengthen the long-term sustainability and impact of humanitarian mapping.

Purpose of the Role

The Project Coordinator plays a central role in managing and supporting this transformation. Working closely with senior leadership, the role ensures that strategic initiatives are translated into actionable plans and delivered effectively across teams.

This is a fractional (50%) position designed specifically for internal candidates and supports a 12–18 month transformation phase.

Key Responsibilities

The role focuses on coordination, monitoring, and execution across multiple strategic workstreams.

Transformation Coordination and Execution

• Translate organizational strategy into structured workplans
• Coordinate cross-functional transformation activities
• Maintain project tracking systems and documentation
• Support alignment across teams and leadership

Tracking, Monitoring, and Reporting

• Monitor milestones, deliverables, and progress updates
• Prepare reports for leadership, donors, and the board
• Ensure visibility of risks, blockers, and achievements
• Maintain accurate documentation across systems

Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as a central coordination point between teams
• Support communication between leadership, program, and portfolio groups
• Ensure alignment across internal and external stakeholders

Risk Management and Problem Solving

• Identify risks early and support mitigation strategies
• Help teams resolve operational challenges
• Maintain delivery momentum across workstreams

Key Workstreams Supported

The Project Coordinator contributes to HOT’s core transformation areas:

• Methodology development for mapping systems
• Learn and Connect program expansion
• Marketplace strategy for geospatial services
• Marketing and sales growth initiatives

Required Skills and Experience

This role is designed for individuals with strong coordination and project management capabilities.

Essential Requirements

• Experience or strong interest in project coordination or delivery
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders across geographies
• Strong communication and documentation abilities
• Comfort working in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
• Familiarity (or willingness to learn) tools such as:
  • Asana
  • Airtable
  • Neon One

Core Competencies

• Attention to detail
• Cross-cultural communication
• Problem-solving and initiative
• Ability to work independently
• Collaborative mindset

Development Opportunity

A notable feature of this role is its emphasis on professional growth. It is structured as a learning-oriented position intended to build future leaders in project and program management.

Key development benefits include:

• Exposure to global strategic transformation processes
• Hands-on experience in complex program coordination
• Direct interaction with organizational leadership
• Skill development in project management systems and tools

A personal development allowance is provided to support learning and career advancement.

Why This Role Matters

This position is central to enabling HOT’s transition into a more scalable and sustainable organization. By coordinating transformation activities, the Project Coordinator helps ensure that:

• Community-led mapping initiatives are effectively scaled
• Strategic goals are translated into operational execution
• Stakeholders remain aligned across global teams
• Risks and delays are proactively managed

The role directly contributes to improving how humanitarian data is created and used worldwide.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in dynamic, cross-functional environments and is motivated by mission-driven work. They should be comfortable balancing structure and flexibility while managing multiple priorities.

Strong candidates typically demonstrate:

• Early to mid-level experience in project coordination
• Interest in humanitarian systems, mapping, or development work
• Strong organizational discipline and communication skills
• Motivation to grow into more advanced program management roles

Final Thoughts

The Project Coordinator role at HOT is a unique opportunity to contribute to a major organizational transformation in the humanitarian technology space. It combines operational coordination, strategic execution, and cross-team collaboration in a globally distributed environment.

For candidates seeking to build a career in project management within international development or humanitarian innovation, this role offers both meaningful impact and structured professional growth.

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