A LITTLE ABOUT US
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we are committed to a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC
The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) Partnership is a public-private venture, a key component of “Kilimo Kwanza” (Agriculture first) National Strategy. Its aim is to transform the agriculture sector in Tanzania’s Southern corridor, by catalyzing inclusive, environmentally friendly, and economically viable/ feasible investments. The SAGCOT Partnership is facilitated by the SAGCOT Centre Ltd (SCL) which plays an important role as a neutral broker within the partnership, whilst also functioning as an administrative unit and information hub.
A strategic collaborative relationship has been established between TNC and the SCL. TNC offers technical support to SCL on environmental sustainability. TNC is a member of SAGCOT’s Green Reference Group (GRG) – an advisory body to the SCL and its partners on social and environmental matters surrounding investments in the corridor. TNC has also supported SAGCOT Centre in development of decision support tools to guide agricultural investments towards an environmentally friendly and social inclusive
pathway.
TNC believes there is a strategic opportunity to enhance the technical capacity of SAGCOT Centre Limited (SCL) through technical support of a Technical Data Specialist position to enhance SCL’s capacity to guide its partners towards sustainable agricultural growth in the SAGCOT region through enhanced uptake and application of the technical advice being offered
by knowledge partners such as TNC and others. The position will be filled on a year contract, renewable subject to performance and availability of funding.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Technical Data Specialist supports TN’s partnership with SAGCOT Centre. S/he shall be responsible for giving technical support to SAGCOT Centre and its key partners. S/he will work closely with and report to Africa Agriculture Strategy Director. S/he will be based at SAGCOT Centre where he will work closely with the SAGCOT Centre’s technical team in technical data and information management to enhance uptake and application of technical advice by the intended users to support sustainable agriculture development in the SAGCOT Region.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Refine the analytical products developed by the TNC-led SNAPP-SAGCOT Project. The products include hydrological models and GIS maps among others.
- Filling the gaps to move the products to practical usable status
- Validation of the products with stakeholders.
- Maintaining the products with regular updates and as new data becomes available
- Integration and collation of other key relevant information.
- Identify other available green growth- related information relevant to SAGCOT Region from various sources.
- Integrate and package the information in an appropriate format for the target users.
- Capacity building of next users:
- SAGCOT Centre technical team on data and information management
- Undertake SAGCOT stakeholders’ capacity need analysis for use of the products/information.
- Undertake capacity building of the SAGCOT Stakeholders in collaboration with relevant partners.
- Dissemination
- Develop an appropriate dissemination framework for products/information.
- Disseminate the products in collaboration with SAGCOT Centre and other relevant partners.
- Translating the acquired knowledge to all SAGCOT stakeholders
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- MS degree in GIS, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Earth Observation, Spatial Information Science or related field and 5-10 years related experience in applied GIS/spatial analysis and Environmental Modelling. A track record of peer reviewed publications is desirable.
- Experience in designing and maintaining enterprise-scale spatial and relational databases to meet organizational needs.
- Experience in developing and managing multiple projects.
- Working knowledge in creating and maintaining internet-based spatial data viewers, interactive online analysis tools and spatial data distribution tools.
- Supervisory experience, including ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance.
- Experience administering a budget.
- Experience training individuals and groups.
- Advanced expertise in the use of Geographic Information Systems (e.g. Esri ArcGIS Desktop and extensions, ArcGIS Server, Geodatabases, etc.) and Remote Sensing Software (e.g. Leica Geosystems ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, Feature Analyst, etc.)
- Working knowledge of relevant scripting and programming languages (e.g. KML and KMZ files, Python, R, Microsoft VBA, C++, Java, etc.).
- Experience creating standardized cartographic map design and spatial data visualization products for static and dynamic (Internet-based) map applications.
PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Ability to produce professional-quality cartographic products and reports.
- Demonstrated experience in the following areas: interpretation of image analysis, remote sensing analysis, complex spatial analysis, data modeling and landscape scenario analysis.
- Demonstrated experience in spatial data management, including metadata and documentation.
- Working knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and region(s).
- Well versed in geospatial sciences best practices, and an ability to adapt them to TNC’s organizational needs and culture.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting and communicating results to conservation practitioners and Senior Managers and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience recommending conservation actions based on scientific analysis results.
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with other parties to obtain data sources.
- Communicating clearly via written, spoken and graphical means in English. Knowledge of Swahili is desirable.