ABOUT THE ROLE

As part of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) team, the Conservation Science Data Specialist role will be to establish and provide data management support for GCF’s conservation science initiatives. The position will largely focus on ongoing survey efforts and the Twiga Tracker Initiative. Responsibilities will be managing the GCF EarthRanger system and managing device communications, focus on pattern recognition systems for streamlining individual-based surveys for giraffe population monitoring and rapid abundance estimates, and importantly organise spatial databases and generated products from GCF’s research activities to be made accessible to GCF affiliated researchers and partners.

REPORTS TO:

GCF Conservation Science Coordinator and GCF Director, Conservation.

LOCATION

The Conservation Science Data Specialist will be based at either of the two GCF offices in Africa, namely in Windhoek/Namibia or Nairobi/Kenya. All applicants must be residents in either of these countries with relevant permission to work.

PRIMARY ROLES

• Provide data management support to various GCF projects, including but not limited to the Twiga Tracker Initiative and population surveys.
• Develop and maintain spatial databases for raw data and data products generated in GCF affiliated research.
• Add newly deployed GPS satellite tags (e.g. CERES, Savannah Tracking, African Wildlife Tracking) to the EarthRanger platform and/or other systems, providing automated ingestion of the data into the database.
• Establish individual study populations in EarthRanger and/or Mapipedia with unique sets of authenticated users to view and/or access available data.
• Provide general data management of all tags, edit end dates and update animal status (e.g. alive, dead, unknown).
• Work with GCF ecologists to develop and/or adapt semi-automated reports, summarising the movements of individual animals and populations on a monthly, quarterly, and bi-annual basis.
  Be a voice for giraffe and support the GCF team in communicating the organisation’s mission, policies, goals, strategies, and successes locally.
• Day to day data management.
•  Reporting – internal and conservation partners
• Analysis – internal, conservation partners, students, supporting ongoing research
   

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Planning

1. Participate in regular meetings of the GCF team.
2. Be a voice for giraffe and support the GCF team in the implementation of its vision and strategic plans.
3. Support compliance to minimum standards in accordance with all government legislation, regulations, and guidelines pertinent to GCF’s role as an employer and non-profit organisation.
4. Make recommendations to the Directors regarding changes to policies and procedures that would improve GCF and its operations.

• Operational Management of Activities

1. Coordinate the data management of GCF’s Conservation programme within agreed budgets and plans.
2. Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of GCF’s data management together with the GCF conservation science programme, including collaborations with researchers and partners.
3. Ensure clear priorities and targets, with time frames and deadlines, are set and met for the organisational and Conservation programmatic initiatives.
4. Responsible for achieving GCF’s Conservation programme data management objectives as part of a team including ensuring adequate resources and capacity.
5. Provide data management support to various GCF projects, including but not limited to the Twiga Tracker Initiative and population surveys.
6. Develop and maintain spatial databases for raw data and data products generated in GCF affiliated research.
7. Add newly deployed GPS satellite tags (e.g. CERES, Savannah Tracking, African Wildlife Tracking) to the
   EarthRanger platform and/or other systems, providing automated ingestion of the data into the database.
8. Establish individual study populations in EarthRanger and/or Mapipedia with unique sets of authenticated users to view and/or access available data.
9. Provide general data management of all tags, edit end dates and update animal status (e.g. alive, dead, unknown).
10. Work with GCF Conservation team to develop and/or adapt semi-automated reports, summarizing the movements of individual animals and populations on a monthly, quarterly, and bi-annual basis.

• Financial Planning & Budget Management

1. Provide accurate and timely financial accounting and expenditure reporting, and submit to GCF’s Finance & Compliance Manager and supervisor(s).
2. Annually plan the budget for GCF’s Conservation programme data management needs with GCF’s Finance & Compliance Manager and supervisor(s).

• Income Generation

1. Support the GCF team in securing adequate funding for GCF’s Conservation programme data management and general operation of GCF, by providing regular updates for the Adopt-a-Giraffe online portal.
2. Support the reporting to all relevant Conservation programme donors on the implementation of activities and associated budgets.

• External Contacts

1. Foster relationships with key local and international organisations, individuals, and stakeholders to create a positive environment for GCF.
2. Represent the GCF Conservation programme, as and when required. This may involve media interviews and public speaking, and as appropriate will be carried out in liaison with the GCF team.

• Human Resource Management

1. Support appropriate office procedures and ensure clarity of specific duties and areas of responsibility.
2. Work and coordinate giraffe activities with the GCF Conservation programme, researchers, and others.
3. Determine GCF’s Conservation programme data training and/or equipment needs in collaboration with supervisor(s) considering annual budget allocations and fundraising needs.

• Information Management

1. Ensure all relevant information is stored in an accessible and efficient manner, backed-up regularly and shared frequently with the GCF Conservation team, supervisor(s), and/or the GCF Directors for additional back-up.
2. Facilitate and/or assist in preparing reports and documents for donors, media, meetings and providing information as agreed on, or requested by the GCF team and donors.
3. Provide regular updates and content for the GCF social media sites.

REQUIREMENTS

• A minimum of a degree in relevant Computer Sciences or Natural Sciences, or similar.
• At least three years of experience in data management and coordination.
• Excellent knowledge of GIS.
• Good knowledge of R – understanding of other programmes an advantage.
• Good computer skills, including MS Word for reporting, MS Excel for data analysis.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Experience in report writing and project coordination.
• Attention to detail, and good time management to meet deadlines.
• An ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication skills
• Namibian or Kenyan citizen or permanent resident
• Holder of a valid driver’s licence an advantage.

CONTRACT

This local position will initially be on a contract basis for 12 months, with the potential for a full-time position dependent on capacity and donor funding. Remuneration will be a fixed term local contract and costs included.

 

APPLICATIONS

There is no firm deadline for applications, although we hope to fill the role in the second half of 2022. A cover letter with a brief outline of relevant qualifications and experiences, expected remuneration and contact details of referees, as well as a detailed CV should be submitted to: [email protected]

For more Information about this Career Opportunity, please read through the attached files.