The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a Biodiversity Monitoring Manager under the auspices of the Greater Ruaha-Katavi Landscape Program. The Biodiversity Monitoring Manager will lead landscape species, habitat and ecological studies, assessments and monitoring work. The position reports to the Greater Ruaha-Katavi Landscape Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Studies, Assessments and Monitoring

• Working with WCS species and habitat leads to develop/ implement, in key areas and with key species, activities that align with the global WCS strategy, learning and sharing with others in WCS.
• Where possible/relevant, work with the government of Tanzania, IUCN and other specialist groups to formulate action plans, policies, other guidelines and to build awareness regarding the status, threats and work being done to safeguard key wildlife species and wild places.
• Survey preparation and design: Define survey design and methods together with relevant WCS regional/global technical experts; ensure statistical validity of survey design. Set up data collection and management tools, including data collection sheets and SMART Survey model. Procure all equipment needed for data collection (including research equipment, communication equipment, first aid kits, camping equipment and clothing for field technicians).
• Identify, develop/implement actions for gathering key information for other areas of concern regarding the management of ecosystems, species, habitats and threats, coordinating with others as needed.
• Manage WCS landscape engagement with TAWIRI and other authorities in relation to biodiversity related studies, assessments and monitoring, including permits and other necessary approvals and coordination.  Act as point of contact for the WCS Greater Landscape Program with other government, non-government and private partners related to issues of biodiversity management and monitoring.
• Support studies related to sites of archaeological interest, including coordination of access for visiting scientists, and active involvement in the resulting work.  Establish an internship program with selected academic institutions to build the capacity of Tanzanian graduates and young professionals in alignment with WCS’ strategic priorities.
• Train field technicians and government ecologists in data collection protocols, tactics, tools, first aid, communication protocols and health & safety in the field.
• Pilot and apply new approaches to biodiversity studies, assessments and monitoring, looking for opportunities to roll out such approaches once their efficacy has been confirmed. This will include aviation-related surveys and monitoring approaches, including the use of external cameras / related AI and drones.
• Work with the Species monitoring Specialist, Big Cats Program, to line-manage the Carnivore Research Officer.
• Manage and mentor other biodiversity-related field staff as needed.
• Lead landscape vulture monitoring work, including the placement, retrieval and management of vulture movements data, maintaining necessary coordination with partners on the ground and The Peregrine Fund. Support poison-response training where needed.
• Oversee the implementation of annual ground reconnaissance surveys across wildlife corridor areas, including training, data management, analysis, and reporting.
• Work with the Program Director to design and implement elephant monitoring programs, including providing support to the planning and implementation of landscape aerial surveys every 3 years.

Data analysis and management

• Collate and validate data collected by field technicians.
• Support the GIS Manager in producing mapping and other visual products that inform conservation planning, including looking for ways of integrating SMART related data into conservation planning at different scales.
• Work with the CMP Community Conservation Manager and Wildlife Corridors Coordinator to interpret biodiversity, human-wildlife conflict and other threat related data in ways that can be shared and understood at a local level to drive the improved management of wildlife, wildlife corridors and other habitat.
• Support the Program Director in developing arguments for the improved management of species, sites and threats, including the identification of areas critical for the survival and movement of different species.
• Lead the drafting of reports, papers and other documents and visual products that draw on data gathered by WCS.
• Establish and manage a robust data management system for all species, habitat, threats, and other data gathered by the program.
• Coordinate with the Landscape Program Director to integrate research findings into other conservation efforts.

Other Duties

• Always look for ways to promote conservation through a one-health approach.
• Provide succinct written monthly progress reports to the WCS Program Director as requested, including images and regular news-worthy updates.
• Develop and manage detailed budgets and timelines for biodiversity related actions, ensuring efficient resource allocation and adherence to program deadlines and financial limitations.
  • Ensure that all field studies are conducted with adherence to ethical standards and in ways that minimize risks to those involved.
  • Provide succinct written monthly progress reports for the Program Director and prepare funding proposals, donor reports, technical updates, success stories or other as requested.
  • Integrate with a dynamic and mixed team of conservation professionals, to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and remain flexible regarding other work requests.
  • As directed, support the visits of program donors, visiting WCS staff and others as directed.
  • Represent the Program at key meetings, events, conferences, etc., as directed.

General

Always lead by example, maintaining the good name of WCS.
Provide any other assistance as requested by the WCS Program Director.

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications : ​​​​

• At least degree level qualification applied zoology, biological and/or ecological studies or similar; MSc or higher strongly preferred. At least 5 years working experience in wildlife related position with proven capability leading as many of the following as possible:
• Working experience managing and/or studying Tanzanian biodiversity.
• Familiarity with different research and monitoring approaches and their application.
• Firsthand experience working with government and community rangers in ecological or species monitoring.
• Experience in securing research permits from TAWIRI.  Proven experience working with and managing other technical staff.
• Proven research experience, including study design, data collection, and analysis.
• Position is open to Tanzanian nationals only.

Additional Requirements:

• Desire (and ability) to work under challenging field conditions with limited supervision.
• Proven publication record in peer reviewed journals.
• Working knowledge of SMART and Ecological Records.
• Experience using QGIS or similar for different applications (ArcGIS an advantage).
• Experience in training and managing field assistants.
• Experience with aerial-based surveys and monitoring approaches.
• Experience coordinating ecological studies with other partners.
• Fluency in spoken and written Swahili and English.  Excellent written and oral communication skills, good report writing skills.
• Proven IT literacy and familiarity with all standard office software. The ability to work with other conservation-related software is an added advantage.
• Ability to work with a dynamic / mixed team of conservation professionals, to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Highest level of integrity, honesty, and sense of responsibility.
• Valid driving license and extensive 4WD experience.

• Working with WCS species and habitat leads to develop/ implement, in key areas and with key species, activities that align with the global WCS strategy, learning and sharing with others in WCS.
• Where possible/relevant, work with the government of Tanzania, IUCN and other specialist groups to formulate action plans, policies, other guidelines and to build awareness regarding the status, threats and work being done to safeguard key wildlife species and wild places.
• Survey preparation and design: Define survey design and methods together with relevant WCS regional/global technical experts; ensure statistical validity of survey design. Set up data collection and management tools, including data collection sheets and SMART Survey model. Procure all equipment needed for data collection (including research equipment, communication equipment, first aid kits, camping equipment and clothing for field technicians).
• Identify, develop/implement actions for gathering key information for other areas of concern regarding the management of ecosystems, species, habitats and threats, coordinating with others as needed.
• Manage WCS landscape engagement with TAWIRI and other authorities in relation to biodiversity related studies, assessments and monitoring, including permits and other necessary approvals and coordination.
• Act as point of contact for the WCS Greater Landscape Program with other government, non-government and private partners related to issues of biodiversity management and monitoring.
• Support studies related to sites of archaeological interest, including coordination of access for visiting scientists, and active involvement in the resulting work.
• Establish an internship program with selected academic institutions to build the capacity of Tanzanian graduates and young professionals in alignment with WCS’ strategic priorities.
• Train field technicians and government ecologists in data collection protocols, tactics, tools, first aid, communication protocols and health & safety in the field.
• Pilot and apply new approaches to biodiversity studies, assessments and monitoring, looking for opportunities to roll out such approaches once their efficacy has been confirmed. This will include aviation-related surveys and monitoring approaches, including the use of external cameras / related AI and drones.
• Work with the Species monitoring Specialist, Big Cats Program, to line-manage the Carnivore Research Officer.
• Manage and mentor other biodiversity-related field staff as needed.

• Fluency in spoken and written Swahili and English.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, good report writing skills.
• Proven IT literacy and familiarity with all standard office software. The ability to work with other conservation-related software is an added advantage.
• Ability to work with a dynamic / mixed team of conservation professionals, to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Highest level of integrity, honesty, and sense of responsibility.
• Valid driving license and extensive 4WD experience.

• Fluency in spoken and written Swahili and English.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, good report writing skills.
• Proven IT literacy and familiarity with all standard office software. The ability to work with other conservation-related software is an added advantage.
• Ability to work with a dynamic / mixed team of conservation professionals, to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Highest level of integrity, honesty, and sense of responsibility.
• Valid driving license and extensive 4WD experience.