GIS / QGIS Expert – Reconstruction of Administrative Boundaries in Haut-Katanga, DRC

Please note: this is a personal project, not a professional or commercial request. Important clarification: I will provide the existing source maps (PDF) that already show the precise boundaries of each administrative entity (territories, sectors/chiefdoms and groupements). There is no need to research, determine or guess where these boundaries lie: they already exist on the source maps I will supply. The work simply consists of transferring/reporting these existing entities accurately onto a single, consolidated and georeferenced map. I am looking for a freelance cartographer with strong expertise in GIS, QGIS and georeferencing to produce a precise and modern administrative map of Haut-Katanga Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The objective is to consolidate, on a single map: - the province's six territories; - the sectors and chiefdoms within each territory; and - the groupements, which are the smallest administrative subdivisions covered by the project. I have several source maps contained in PDF documents, showing all the relevant administrative boundaries. These maps are relatively basic and are not available as directly usable GIS data, but they already contain the boundaries needed. The assignment will include: - georeferencing the PDF maps; - digitising the boundaries of each administrative entity as shown on the source maps (no research or reconstruction of unknown boundaries is required); - harmonising all boundaries into one consistent spatial dataset; - overlaying the administrative subdivisions on a modern basemap; - displaying rivers, streams, villages and localities, including their names; - carefully reviewing boundaries that follow rivers or other natural features; and - identifying and clearly flagging any inconsistencies, gaps or uncertainties in the source material. The intended result is a clear and modern map, broadly comparable in readability to a road map or online map, while accurately showing the different administrative levels. OpenStreetMap, Google Maps or other reliable sources may be used as supplementary references, subject to cross-checking against the source maps provided. Expected Deliverables: - One complete map of Haut-Katanga in high-resolution PDF format; - one high-resolution JPG or PNG version; - the underlying GIS source files, preferably including: the QGIS project file, a GeoPackage or shapefiles, separate vector layers for territories, sectors/chiefdoms and groupements; - a clear legend distinguishing each administrative level; and - a short note listing any boundaries that remain uncertain or could not be fully verified. The final map should also include a title, scale bar, north arrow and appropriate source references. Required Experience: Applicants should have demonstrated experience in QGIS, ArcGIS or equivalent GIS software; georeferencing scanned or PDF maps; digitising administrative boundaries; hydrographic mapping; preparing professional maps for print and digital use; and ideally, working with geographic data in Africa or in areas where GIS datasets are incomplete. Please include examples of similar work in your proposal. Please include in your proposal: - your estimated timeline; and - your fixed-price quote or estimated number of hours. A small initial test covering one territory, sector or limited number of groupements may be requested before the full assignment is awarded.