Conservation Scientist

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.

Application Form

Please mention Zoo News Digest

Should you apply for this post