Background

Since 2013, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Greater Ruaha-Katavi Landscape Program has expanded its conservation footprint significantly. With this growth, the collection, management, and analysis of spatial data from different sites has become increasingly critical to program effectiveness, decision-making and reporting. The GIS/Database Officer plays a central role in managing and producing geospatial products for these various program needs.

Objective of the Role

To lead the spatial data and database management components of GRKLP, including map production, SMART, GIS analysis, data management, partner support, and IT-related tasks, thereby supporting WCS conservation objectives and collaboration with key partners.

Key Responsibilities

GIS and Mapping

Maintain and regularly update the Greater Ruaha-Katavi Landscape map with new shapefiles and geospatial data.

Support the GRKLP Ecologist and others to compile:

• Vulture activity and distribution maps.
• Reconnaissance survey maps and analyses.
• Law enforcement coverage, threats maps and other products.
• Other products linked to species or ecological monitoring.

Maintain and update maps based on aviation-related data inputs; support the WCS aviation team in map production as required.

Generate monthly, quarterly, and annual spatial reports, maps, tables, and data extracts to support WCS internal use/reporting.

Work with WCS New York GIS Department to maintain an annual update of natural habitat conversion associated with wildlife corridors (including updating a 2019–25 story maps tool), using remote sensing and satellite imagery.

Convert vector to raster data as needed, including interpolations to produce heat maps for species and threats at a site or landscape-level.

Database Management

Maintain the GRKLP GIS & aviation database.

Support WCS ecological and species work in maintaining spatial datasets and databases (for lions, wild dogs and vultures for example).

SMART / Other Software Support

• Support SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) basic and advanced capacity oversight and troubleshooting with partners.
• Assist the Assistant Program Director and Protection Officer in facilitating effective SMART use by TAWA field / zonal / HQ staff as well as other partners using SMART (e.g., Village Game Scouts in wildlife corridors).
• Support the management and maintenance of the WCS and TAWA SMART server.
• Support WCS work in WCS-TAWA CMP sites as needed.
• Support the use of Earth Ranger (or any other software approach) in support of the management of geospatial data.

IT and Systems Support

Assist in managing the RKLP server and maintaining overall IT infrastructure, including:

• Network management and troubleshooting.
• Printer and peripheral device management.
• Configuration and maintenance of laptops and associated software.
• Use of Cyberark to support staff in accessing & downloading programs.
• Maintain office FortiGate network.
• Act as RKLP liaison for TTCL internet services management.

Other Duties

Provide additional technical or administrative support as requested by the RKLP Director or Assistant Director.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in GIS, Geography, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in GIS and database management in a conservation or environmental setting.

Skills

• Proficiency in GIS software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS), GPS data collection, and remote sensing tools.
• Strong skills in database systems (e.g., Microsoft Access, PostgreSQL/PostGIS).
• Good level of working familiarity with SMART (Advanced SMART management skills a distinct advantage).
• Strong analytical and map production skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the landscape.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required.

Position is open to Tanzanian nationals only.

• Maintain and regularly update the Greater Ruaha-Katavi Landscape map with new shapefiles and geospatial data.
• Support the GRKLP Ecologist and others to compile: Vulture activity and distribution maps, Reconnaissance survey maps and analyses, Law enforcement coverage, threats maps and other products, Other products linked to species or ecological monitoring.
• Maintain and update maps based on aviation-related data inputs; support the WCS aviation team in map production as required.
• Generate monthly, quarterly, and annual spatial reports, maps, tables, and data extracts to support WCS internal use/reporting.
• Work with WCS New York GIS Department to maintain an annual update of natural habitat conversion associated with wildlife corridors (including updating a 2019–25 story maps tool), using remote sensing and satellite imagery.
• Convert vector to raster data as needed, including interpolations to produce heat maps for species and threats at a site or landscape-level.
• Maintain the GRKLP GIS & aviation database.
• Support WCS ecological and species work in maintaining spatial datasets and databases (for lions, wild dogs and vultures for example).
• Support SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) basic and advanced capacity oversight and troubleshooting with partners.
• Assist the Assistant Program Director and Protection Officer in facilitating effective SMART use by TAWA field / zonal / HQ staff as well as other partners using SMART (e.g., Village Game Scouts in wildlife corridors).
• Support the management and maintenance of the WCS and TAWA SMART server.
• Support WCS work in WCS-TAWA CMP sites as needed.
• Support the use of Earth Ranger (or any other software approach) in support of the management of geospatial data.
• Assist in managing the RKLP server and maintaining overall IT infrastructure, including: Network management and troubleshooting, Printer and peripheral device management, Configuration and maintenance of laptops and associated software, Use of Cyberark to support staff in accessing & downloading programs, Maintain office FortiGate network, Act as RKLP liaison for TTCL internet services management.
• Provide additional technical or administrative support as requested by the RKLP Director or Assistant Director.

• Proficiency in GIS software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS), GPS data collection, and remote sensing tools.
• Strong skills in database systems (e.g., Microsoft Access, PostgreSQL/PostGIS).
• Good level of working familiarity with SMART (Advanced SMART management skills a distinct advantage).
• Strong analytical and map production skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the landscape.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required.

• Degree in GIS, Geography, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in GIS and database management in a conservation or environmental setting.