Linked Open Data Specialist

Linked Open Data Specialist – 5 months – Brussels, Belgium

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About the Role

RELYzIT Talent is seeking a Linked Open Data Specialist for a high-impact, freelance mission with our client in Brussels. You’ll be at the forefront of transforming national toponymic data into Linked Open Data (LOD), shaping how geographic information is shared, reused, and integrated across the international Web of Data. This is a unique opportunity to architect the future of open data, collaborating with domain experts and driving interoperability at scale.

Why This Role Matters

Our client is preparing to launch BelgoNyms, a groundbreaking open data product. Your mission: define the strategic and technical roadmap to publish this data as Linked Open Data, unlocking its potential for global reuse and integration. The stakes are high—your work will set the standard for interoperability, semantic alignment, and sustainable data governance, directly impacting how geographic data powers innovation across sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive study to prepare BelgoNyms data for Linked Open Data publication.
• Analyze and model the conceptual structure of toponymic data, identifying entities, attributes, and relationships.
• Produce clear, documented conceptual models and visual representations (UML, RDF, or equivalent).
• Identify and align relevant ontologies and vocabularies, evaluating existing standards and defining semantic extensions as needed.
• Facilitate workshops with stakeholders to capture business requirements and prioritize use cases.
• Define and validate business questions ("competency questions") to ensure the semantic model meets real-world needs.
• Identify and evaluate external reference data sources (e.g., Wikidata, GeoNames, INSPIRE) for alignment and interconnection opportunities.
• Formulate recommendations for interoperability and reference data integration.
• Develop a URI/IRI governance strategy, including naming conventions and management rules for identifier stability and sustainability.
• Assess and recommend RDF modeling, transformation, publication, and storage tools tailored to the client’s context.
• Design a target architecture for LOD publication and propose a phased implementation roadmap, identifying dependencies and risks.
• Deliver final recommendations that drive actionable outcomes and future-proof the client’s data strategy.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Proven expertise in conceptual and semantic modeling of complex data sets.
• Hands-on experience with ontology design, Linked Open Data (LOD), and knowledge graph technologies.
• Strong command of RDF, OWL, SKOS, and SPARQL.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops and define business requirements with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with interoperability and alignment of data standards.
• Understanding of URI/IRI governance and best practices for identifier management.
• Familiarity with GeoSPARQL, INSPIRE, and geographical data standards (junior level acceptable).
• Track record of delivering strategic studies and technical roadmaps in data architecture or related fields.

Mindset & Approach

• Builder-first: You take ownership, drive outcomes, and thrive in collaborative, high-impact environments.
• Strategic thinker with a passion for open data, interoperability, and semantic technologies.
• Clear communicator, able to translate complex technical concepts for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proactive problem-solver who anticipates challenges and delivers actionable solutions.

Language Proficiency

• Professional proficiency in English is required.
• Knowledge of French or Dutch is a plus, given the project context.

Other Requirements

• Partial remote work is possible; on-site presence in Brussels may be required for key workshops or meetings.
• Confirmed experience as a Data Architect or similar role in data-driven projects.
• Availability for a 5-month freelance engagement.

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