Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.
POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Matatiele, South Africa
The main duties of this position are to provide the vital link between project implementation and management so that planning, design, implementation, and monitoring are aligned and enable desired conservation outcomes. Assist the Senior Landscape Manager in managing and ensuring the quality of projects so that conservation actions and monitoring are facilitated. Contribute to the interpretation, presentation, and use of findings during quarterly reports and bi-annual MERL (Monitoring Evaluation and Learning) sessions with all staff as part of adaptive management. Participate in developing CSA proposals to ensure that conservation impacts are measured.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide the vital link between project implementation and management so that planning, design, implementation, and monitoring are aligned and enable desired conservation outcomes
• Design indicators to monitor progress on goals of the landscape and institution in collaboration with the Landscape Manager and Conservation Impacts Team.
• Master existing SOPs (standard operating protocols) on monitoring as well as the online monitoring platform via start-up training, ongoing self-study, and contributions to improvements.
• Coordinate regular collections of data via landscape-specific surveys, quarterly online surveys, and bi-annual ground surveys aimed at demonstrating conservation impacts.
• Map areas delineating conservation actions such as invasive plant removal/bush thinning, grazing plans, and soil conservation so that we can calculate area-specific impacts and display as ‘Dashboards’.
• Manage a traceable data workflow in line with the data management plan:
1. Coordinate office staff to deliver hard/electronic documentation on a weekly basis and house securely so that monitoring data is traceable, repeatable, and defensible.
2. Complete monitoring datasheets monthly and enter compiled data into the MERL online system quarterly.
3. Manage an online database of these files on the monitoring SharePoint using universal file formats such as .csv, .kml, .shp, .gpx files.
Assist the Landscape Manager to manage and assure quality in projects so that conservation actions and monitoring are facilitated
• Understand the Conservation Agreements and projects in your area.
• Manage aspects of projects (e.g. quality assurance, field implementation, and training), risks (e.g. non-compliance with Conservation Agreements; changes in village leadership), and problems (broken infrastructure) in consultation with the Landscape Manager.
• Develop a working relationship with stakeholders involved in conservation actions and follow protocol when engaging with stakeholders.
Contribute to the interpretation, presentation, and use of findings during quarterly reports and bi-annual MERL (Monitoring Evaluation and Learning) sessions with all staff as part of adaptive management
• Inform the Conservation Impacts Manager and Team of contexts surrounding data in your landscape to improve its interpretation.
• Critically appraise data to identify errors.
• Co-present findings with the Conservation Impacts Team during MERL sessions.
• Participate in discussions on adaptive management based on findings during MERL sessions.
• Assist in refining the existing monitoring frameworks and tools.
• Recommend adjustments of monitoring frameworks to the Team based on knowledge of field sites.
Participate in developing CSA proposals to ensure that conservation impacts are measured
• Assist the Conservation Impacts Manager and Research Director in framing data needs so that these can be included in funding applications.
• Critically review and provide input into said proposals based on knowledge of your area.
People and Resource Management Responsibilities
• From the link between field sites and the Conservation Impacts Team.
• Coordinate on-site stakeholder meetings.
• Give feedback and make recommendations to the Impact Manager and Team.
• Contribute ideas that will improve monitoring and adaptive management.
Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Typical office environment. Ability to work extended hours or travel as needed.
• Regular visits to field sites (weekly/monthly) form up to one-quarter of the job.
• Travel to and from field sites, often on gravel roads.
• Occasional work outside office hours where circumstance demands.
• A willingness to troubleshoot, take responsibility, and find creative solutions under difficult conditions.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.
• This role will be a two-year fixed-term assignment, anticipated to begin in February 2025 and end in February 2027.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
General and Specific Skills (Experience):
• 2 to 4 years of working experience in an environment-related field (flexible depending on Education).
• Ability to creatively manage non-routine or unexpected social and environmental situations.
• Previous background in environmental monitoring will be an advantage.
• Experience engaging and coordinating stakeholders in the environmental or development sector will be an advantage.
Technical Competencies (Knowledge):
• Proficiency using data processing and graphical software such as Excel and R.
• Proficiency in creating, curating, and processing spatial data layers (e.g. .kml, .shp files, etc) using software such as Google Earth, QGIS and ArcGIS.
• Understand the concept of ecological indicators and how they can be used in general project-based outcomes-based monitoring.
• Familiarity with data management and data storage into repositories.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• A car driver's license is required.
• A willingness to troubleshoot, take responsibility, and find creative solutions under difficult conditions.
Preferred
• BSc degree in Natural Sciences; Environmental and Geographical Sciences; or related discipline.
• Supporting qualification in monitoring and evaluation will be an advantage.
• Technical driving skills will be an advantage.
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