Position: Project Assistant & Data Manager

Organisation: Lion Landscapes

Overview

Lion Landscapes is a registered non-governmental organisation which aims to reduce human-carnivore conflict and investigate carnivore ecology in Tanzania’s Ruaha and Selous-Nyerere landscapes.

Lion Landscapes has been conducting large carnivore survey and monitoring work in Ruaha National Park and adjacent wildlife areas for a number of years, and in the Selous-Nyerere landscape (in both Selous Game Reserve and Nyerere National Park) since 2020.

Over the next two years, we will be building on this work with a Darwin Initiative project. The project aims to improve large carnivore monitoring at these sites while increasing in-country research and conservation capacity. Through this project, we will:

Carry out ecological research activities in both landscapes, including camera trap surveys, GPS collaring of large carnivores, and citizen science programmes.

Provide training in wildlife monitoring to ecologists, researchers, and university students through field-based training, short courses, and analytical workshops.

Collaborate with protected area management authorities and other stakeholders to help improve the management of these carnivore populations.

We are seeking a Project Assistant & Data Manager to support the Project Leader in implementing these activities. The role will be based at various locations, including field sites in wildlife areas and the main Lion Landscapes field camp, located 75km from Iringa town.

The candidate will be required to travel frequently within southern and central Tanzania.

If there is interest, the candidate may use the data collected for a Master’s or PhD project, and will have the opportunity to be involved in scientific analysis and publications.

For more information visit https://www.lionlandscapes.org/vacancies.

Responsibilities

The main responsibilities will include:

Preparing and organising equipment for surveys

Assisting with fieldwork (including camera trap surveys, spoor/track surveys, and GPS collaring)

Inputting, cleaning and managing data

Coordinating and assisting with training activities

Organising meetings and liaising with stakeholders

Contributing to reports and other communications

Supporting students working with the project data

In addition, the candidate may also be required to assist with data management for the organisation’s other activities.

Requirements

Essential

Tanzanian citizen

Fluency in written and spoken English

Driving license

Minimum BSc in ecology, wildlife management, or a similar field

Ability to operate a GPS and data collection devices

Computer literacy (particularly Microsoft Excel)

Experience managing data

Good organisational skills

Willingness to spend extended periods in remote areas

Interest in large carnivore surveys & monitoring

Enthusiasm for fieldwork

Excellent teamwork skills

A passion for wildlife and conservation

Preferred

Master’s in ecology, conservation or a similar field

Experience working in challenging and remote conditions

Desire to have a career in conservation research

Proven ability to prepare reports and communicate with stakeholders

Start date: September 2022

Duration

Initial contract full time for 6 months (September 2022 – February 2023) with 3 month probation period, with possibility for renewal for a further 13 months (March 2023 – March 2024) based on performance. Beyond March 2024, there will be further scope to renew based on performance.

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter and CV with full contact details of three referees to darwin2022@lionlandscapes.org by 1 August 2022. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Salary: 1,000,000 – 2,000,000 per month