African Wildlife Foundation

Deadline: 28 February 2021



Background

The African Wildlife Foundation is implementing a project in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) and surrounding communal areas in Zimbabwe’s South Eastern Lowveld (SEL) forming part of the Greater Limpopo Trans-Frontier Conservation Area. The broad project objectives are to increase the resilience of local communities or the ability of communities and systems to adapt and recover from shocks and stresses, reducing chronic vulnerability and facilitating inclusive growth and private sector engagement. AWF works in 10 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa focusing on land conservation, conservation enterprise, education, and wildlife protection and management. AWF’s mission is to ensure wildlife and wildlands thrive in modern Africa. The GIS Assistant will provide geospatial technical support to the Resilience Anchors project by leading site-level resource mapping programs; compiling, maintaining, and analyzing spatial data from various sources. This position will be based in Harare will report directly to the Integrated Land Conservation Planner and will work closely with the Project MEAL Officer.



Position summary

The GIS Assistant is responsible for providing geospatial technical support to the Resilience Anchors project by leading site-level resource mapping programs; compiling, maintaining, and analyzing spatial data from various sources. Contribute to AWF’s centralized database and web mapping services. The position involves regular field travel to remote areas sometimes under physically demanding conditions. The GIS Assistant should coordinate with the AWF’s Conservation Geography team and Senior Conservation Scientist to ensure that AWF best practices are applied.



Key duties and responsibilities

Deliver Geospatial Support to the Resilience Anchors Project: Lead development and execution of site-level resource mapping programs; Support Integrated Landscape Conservation Planner in Ward level land use planning; Provide technical support to the Resilience Anchors project monitoring and evaluation activities in coordination with AWF M&E team; Perform analyses (e.g., corridor siting, habitat suitability, site optimization) and draft reports working with relevant project technical leads and partners; Work with the MEAL Officer to maintain updated maps and status profiles for the Resilience Anchors project; Maintain knowledge of cutting-edge geospatial methods and tools; Contribute to AWF’s centralized database and web mapping services working with the Senior GIS Officer, Conservation Geography at HQ; Maintain updated map profiles of Save Valley Conservancy landscapes and conservation targets; Develop maps for ECODIT on request.



Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; 2 + years of applied GIS preferably in natural resources/conservation and development context; Proficiency in ArcGIS; GIS based modeling; GPS-based data collection; Demonstrated ability to design and lead data collection program; Some experience in editing and integrating datasets from diverse sources; Knowledge of statistical analysis particularly as related to spatial data; Ability to work independently and within a team in multicultural settings often in physically demanding conditions; Ability to communicate effectively and to network; Dexterity with database management software; Demonstrated ability to multitask and meet deadlines; Ability to fulfill mandatory AWF operations and financial procedures.