Responsibilities:

The GIS Analyst is to undertake the following tasks:

• General Duties: The candidate will provide geospatial support to the WWC teams in Nairobi and the US. Main duties include supporting the project sourcing team at pre-feasibility stage, cartography for feasibility studies, Project Descriptions (PDs) and yearly Project Monitoring Reports (MRs), supporting field teams in their forest inventory tasks, and secure data transfer from the regional office to the Carbon Development team in the US.
• GIS: Demonstrate practical GIS skills in cartography, digitization, geodatabase management, raster (image) manipulation within the ArcGIS Pro environment. Use GIS for real world application and solve immediate and pressing conservation challenges. Note: this is NOT a research position and candidates with applied experience outside of academia will be favored. Experience with land use / land cover change analysis is desirable. Experience in East African dryland forest regimes is a plus.
• Forestry/Biometrics: Make frequent field visits in all types of forest, using handheld GPS equipment for navigation, lead teams in collection of forest biometrics (DBH, crown cover, tree height) for biomass inventories. Assist the WWC technical team to train local community members or stakeholders in GPS navigation techniques. Knowledge and use of standard forestry equipment preferred.
• Computer skills: Strong ability in ArcMap and/or ArcGIS Pro is required, including geoprocessing, raster processing, and cartography techniques. Microsoft Office (especially Excel) required; Knowledge of Adobe products (Acrobat, Photoshop) a plus; Programming skills desired, including Python, Google Earth Engine, and/or .NET for developing GIS add-ins, but not required; Experience with ArcGIS Model Builder is a plus; Knowledge of data storage and data entry techniques also desired.
• Team: The candidate will report to the Manager GIS & Remote Sensing as part of a dynamic, growing team of technically proficient conservation scientists and analysts. Frequent interaction with Wildlife Works team in Nairobi, US corporate headquarters, Project offices as well as with government counterparts and community members in various East African regions, is required.

Qualifications:

• Candidates should possess at minimum a bachelor’s degree in physical geography, forestry, environmental science, or another similar field and with university qualifications in GIS / remote sensing.
• At least Five years of full-time work in the field of conservation or forestry desired, with a focus on dryland forest in East Africa, is preferred.
• Excellence in GIS analysis (ArcGIS Pro preferred), including cartography, raster and vector data organization, geoprocessing and vector editing. Advanced spreadsheet management, innovative data entry skills, Python programming and ArcGIS model builder experience is a plus.
• Forest biometrics / biomass inventory experience a plus.
• Computer proficiency required with the ability to effortlessly use mainstream software.
• Strong communication skills, organized, thorough and detail oriented.
• Written and spoken fluency in English and Kiswahili are required. Proficiency in French or Lingala is a plus, but not required.
• Experience working in an international, diverse, and rapidly growing team, with ability to perform under tight deadlines and accept a dynamic work environment.

Responsibilities:

The Regional Manager Biodiversity & Social Monitoring is to undertake the following tasks:

• Define, design, and execute Wildlife Works’ Biodiversity and Social monitoring strategies for all REDD+ projects in Africa. This involves evaluating various methods and monitoring protocols to determine the most appropriate ones for each project setting or objective, whilst balancing scientific rigour, cost, ease-of-execution, and replicability
• Support Wildlife Works’ REDD+ projects’ validation and verification audits, particularly ensuring delivery of accurate and complete information for reporting requirements, both for validation or verification bodies and financial partners, plus resolving biodiversity and social impact-related questions from clients or auditors under guidance from the Global Director for Conservation
• Write, and/or support writing of, concise and informative internal reports plus scientific, peer-reviewed publications, including dissemination of lessons learned and contributions to best practices from all Wildlife Works’ projects in Africa for research, knowledge and learning purposes
• Link with relevant REDD+ policy processes nationally, especially on REDD+ nesting and safeguards, to ensure Wildlife Works’ interests, opinions and positions on MRV are articulated in the best way
• Develop and maintain professional networks, including research and Government, build research partnerships and propel research and monitoring excellence at Wildlife Works
• Work with or train partners on the ground to develop and implement Biodiversity and Social monitoring plans that are adequate for compliance with key standards such as CCBA, and reflect company’s ethos
• Conducting desk research and/or rapid reconnaissance field visits to prospective REDD+ projects in Africa whenever needed, describing their biodiversity and community (social) profiles including key drivers of forest loss and potential impacts
• Provide in-house expert guidance and support for the screening of prospective Wildlife Works’ projects for potential environmental and social impacts and risks, plus identification of risk management opportunities or mitigation strategies
• While Wildlife Works commits to fund core monitoring budgets fully, solicit co-funding and grants for undertaking offshoot or student biodiversity or social research that augments core research work
• Represent Wildlife Works in various local and international meetings and forums.
• While the description above covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the tasks anticipated for this position, other tasks may be assigned as necessary in line with organizational needs.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Master’s or higher degree (PhD an added advantage) in environmental- or social-related field including policy, natural resources, sustainable or community development, wildlife management, environmental science and management, or other relevant fields
• A minimum of five years’ work experience post-MSc (preferably international and/or with clear application) in academia, the private sector, a development research organization or other institution undertaking research, monitoring and/or impact assessment.

Required Skills and Competencies (obligatory)

• Experience with managing research projects and interfacing with external partners, such as multi-laterals or other bilateral development or public agencies in Africa
• Good understanding of monitoring, impact assessment and risk-based approaches to managing projects and programmes
• Demonstrated familiarity with the environmental impacts of various drivers of forest loss, including social and economic issues and mitigation options including Payment for Ecosystem Services
• High level of proficiency with MS Office Suite (including Access) and other core research programs like mapping (ArcMap or QGIS), statistics (SPSS, R or similar), project management tools and other specialised tools (like SMART, Distance, Wrike, MIRADI etc)
• Experience with undertaking systematic reviews, meta-analysis or other forms of evidence synthesis
• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills, both popular and scientific, with high levels of attention to detail
• Fluency in English and Swahili is required; French is a strong added advantage.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Receiving, cataloguing and filing hard copies from various field teams. These should be systematically arranged, catalogued, safely and conveniently stored for easy access by yourself and other authorised parties
• Verifying data accuracy by double-checking data sheet entries, consulting field teams and checking with your supervisor when clarification is required
• Data entry and organisation of soft copies of the data in your designated data computer and two back-up hard drives. Data shall be entered mainly in Microsoft Access or Excel (or BaseCamp for GIS-related data) as appropriate and stored in well-labelled and conveniently organised folders, again for ease of access
• With direction of your supervisor, keep track of required changes in data entry templates. These include minor updates such as addition of new fields or major overhauls such as changing databases or migration to cloud-based systems.
• You will be the key repository for datasheets/questionnaires and other data collection instruments for different field teams, particularly the Carbon (Biomass) teams and Rangers and Community Biodiversity Monitors
• When required, assisting with field data collection (mainly Social and Biodiversity), as well as assisting with implementation of other biodiversity and social monitoring plans for the Kasigau Corridor Project.
• Supervising and taking on leadership of interns, students and other staff working in or with the Biodiversity and Social Monitoring section whenever necessary
• Dealing with verifiers, conservationists and researchers visiting the Kasigau Corridor Project Area to establish Wildlife Works as a credible conservation organisation especially as pertains our data collection and management systems.

Minimum qualifications for appointment into the position:-

• Post-secondary school education in a related field (diploma is a strong advantage), including wildlife management, natural resources management, environmental studies, biological sciences and related fields
• High level of competence with MS Office Suite, with demonstrated application of MS Excel and MS Access
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in data management

Required Skills and Competencies

• Organizational skills, including keeping track of multiple data sources to maintain smooth process when follow-up is required
• High level of attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate with interdisciplinary colleagues and external stakeholders and partners, across a multicultural professional environment
• Ability to work away from home and live in a remote, wildlife environment
• Flexibility to work long hours, including weekends and public holidays, especially during verification audits
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team