Wildlife Works GIS / Data Analyst Job Vacancy in Nairobi, Kenya

Wildlife Works

Position Title: GIS / Data Analyst

Type of Contract: Full Time Employment, contractual

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Reports to: Africa Regional Director

About Wildlife Works: Wildlife Works Carbon Africa is the world’s leading REDD+ program development and management company with an effective approach to applying innovative market-based solutions to the conservation of biodiversity.

Over its 20-year history, Wildlife Works established a successful model that uses the emerging marketplace for REDD+ Carbon Offsets to protect threatened forests, wildlife, and communities.

REDD+ allows us to help local stakeholders in the developing world monetize their forest and biodiversity assets whether they are governments, communities, ownership groups, or private individuals.

Wildlife Works is currently managing a robust pipeline of prospective REDD+ projects in Africa and is expanding to meet the demand and interest in its innovative approach to biodiversity and forest conservation.

Job Summary: Wildlife Works Carbon Africa is seeking a candidate for the position of GIS / Data Analyst to assist in the various geographic, remote sensing and other spatial and data-based forest science tasks necessary to successfully manage avoided deforestation projects in Africa.

The candidate should have strong capabilities in geospatial techniques, with experience/education in GIS and remote sensing, ideally with an interest in and/or knowledge of forestry and biodiversity conservation.

This position requires not only a solid geospatial / data analyst, but an exceptional, passionate individual with excellent communication skills who can demonstrate proficiency with complicated, rapidly changing geospatial challenges.

The GIS / Data Analyst will report to the Manager GIS & Remote Sensing based in Burlington, Vermont USA. This position will be based in the Wildlife Works’ regional office in Nairobi, Kenya.

The GIS / Data Analyst will work day-to-day with the East Africa Regional Staff and other members of the WWC team in Nairobi.

This position will primarily be responsible for supporting Project Description documents (PDs) and yearly monitoring reports (MRs), as well as Project sourcing, pre-feasibility, and feasibility studies.

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.

WWCA is an equal opportunity employer and employment shall be based on merit, qualifications, and competence.

Employment decisions shall be made without regard to an applicant’s gender, race, color, age, sexual orientation, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, or physical and mental handicap is a bona fide occupational disqualification.

This policy governs all areas of employment, including promotion, assignment, and discharge.

How to Apply

Applicants should send a Cover Letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and contacts, (including telephone and email) of two referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Human Resource Manager, Wildlife Works, on or before 2nd September 2022.

Applications by email should be sent to: hrkenya@wildlifeworks.com copied to Jamie@wildlifeworks.com

Applicants will also require copies of key academic and professional certificates.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for Wildlife Works. Due to the likely volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Wildlife Works does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training).

Wildlife Works is an equal opportunity employer, values diversity and inclusion and thereby welcomes diverse candidates to apply.