Durrell
Wildlife Conservation Trust
DEPARTMENT: Conservation Science
JOB TITLE: Conservation Scientist (Data
Management)
REPORTS TO: Head of Conservation Science
1. Job Purpose
To lead the development and coordination
of Durrell’s data management and analysis capabilities in support of the research,
monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement of its conservation programmes
Context
Durrell is an international conservation charity with a mission of saving species from extinction. Founded
by author and naturalist Gerald Durrell, its headquarters are in Jersey, where
it has a wildlife park, a conservation academy and from where it coordinates conservation
field programmes in Madagascar, Mauritius, Caribbean and beyond.
Durrell’s conservation programmes now demand increasing levels of
research, monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement. These activities require
far more effective and intensive management, analysis, reporting and
communication of biological, social and management data. This new role will lead the development and coordination
of our capabilities to manage and analyse data for multiple research, programme
management and communications uses.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual who will work right across
Durrell’s conservation programmes and therefore must be a team player and have
excellent communication skills. They
will have a good scientific understanding and experience of field research and
biodiversity conservation, preferably with a higher degree in a biological
science, and possess a high level of technical skills in data management and
statistical analysis. Based at our Conservation Science office in Bath, UK, the
Conservation Scientist will report to the Trust’s Head of Conservation Science
and will supervise an internship programme as well as provide functional
management of a Data Manager position based in Madagascar.
2. Principal Accountabilities
2.1 Support the Heads of Conservation Science and Field Programmes to
design and roll-out new conservation programme monitoring and evaluation
frameworks and systems.
2.2
Manage all the data requirements for the Durrell
Index, the Trust’s flagship conservation impact measurement and communication
tool.
2.3
For priority conservation projects, design
and implement data management tools and systems to enable efficient flows of
data from the field, and ensure that data are stored securely, easily
retrievable and ready for analysis.
2.4
Work with academic and conservation partners
in the design and implementation of data management systems as part of
collaborative programmes.
2.5
Conduct statistical analysis for ongoing
field and wildlife park-based research and monitoring activities and provide
GIS technical support to project managers as required. In collaboration with
the Head of Conservation Science, design an annual calendar of data analysis for
monitoring programmes and the reporting of results to relevant stakeholders.
2.6
Conduct desk-based research in support of the
conservation programmes as required.
2.7
Provide functional management of an
in-country data manager based within the Trust’s Madagascar programme to
oversee technical elements of this role and to develop their skills.
2.8 Supervise a rolling internship programme
which will work in the area of conservation data management and analysis.
2.9 Training
of field and wildlife park staff in new data management systems as required.
2.10 Support
the Heads of Conservation Science and Field Programmes in reporting to the
Trust’s Board of Trustees, fund-raising team and major donors by providing
results and data outputs as required.
3. Knowledge and Skill
3.1
A highly competent quantitative
ecologist, preferably with a higher degree in the biological sciences and
experience of conducting biological or socio-ecological research in the field.
3.2
Highly computer literate and competent
in a range of statistical techniques and software packages, particularly R,
Distance and ArcGIS.
3.4 Highly computer literate and competent
in a range of statistical techniques and software packages, particularly R,
Distance and ArcGIS.
3.5 Can
demonstrate strong team-working skills, with experience of staff management an
advantage.
3.6
Strong planning and organisational
skills and able to manage heavy and complex workloads with multiple demands
from a wide variety of projects, programmes and people.
3.7
Strong written communication skills
with experience of writing reports to a range of technical and non-technical audiences.
3.8
Experience of working in
collaborative projects with multiple organisational partners and people from a
wide range of different cultures.
3.9 Experience
with the theory and practice of conservation monitoring and evaluation would be
advantageous.
3.10 Experience in training colleagues in new
systems, techniques and tools would be
advantageous.
3.11 Ability
to travel to Durrell’s HQ in Jersey, around the UK and to our field programme
sites.
Verification
Durrell reserves
the right, if operational requirements make this necessary, to vary your normal
duties on either a short term or an ongoing basis provided that such variations
do not result in any increase to your normal number of working hours per
week. Any need to make such a variation
will be discussed with you and confirmed in writing by the Human Resources
Department prior to implementation.
I
confirm that the contents of this job description (Conservation Scientist –
Data Management) are a true reflection of the job at today's date.
Signed:_________________________ Date:________________
Post
holder
Signed:_________________________ Date:_________________
Immediate
Supervisor
Signed:_________________________ Date:_________________
Director
We have a new 3 year contract vacancy based in our Bath office for a Conservation Scientist. The purpose of the role is to lead the development and coordination of Durrell’s data management and analysis capabilities in support of the research, monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement of its conservation programmes. The successful candidate will support the Heads of Conservation Science and Field Programmes to design and roll-out new conservation programme monitoring and evaluation frameworks and systems. They will also manage all the data requirements for the Durrell Index, the Trust’s flagship conservation impact measurement and communication tool. It is expected that the candidate will be a highly competent quantitative ecologist, preferably with a higher degree (or equivalent) in the biological sciences and experience of conducting biological or socio-ecological research in the field. A full job description and application form are attached. Please send your CV, completed application form and cover email to recruitment@durrell.org Please indicate your current salary level in the cover email. Closing date for applications is 17 July 2014.
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