Mombasa, Kenya

or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Founded in 1951, 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. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, 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 Africa program follows a holistic approach to protect vital lands and waters, transform the way natural resources are used and managed and inspire to equip others to contribute to the shared vision of a healthy and sustainable future for Africa’s lands, waters, wildlife and people. We use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.orq or follow @nature press on Twitter.

The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Africa Oceans Strategy focuses on securing large scale ocean protection through national debt restructuring and marine spatial planning science known as Blue Bonds, with emphasis on linking science and communities to habitat protection and management. TNC’s work on fisheries aims to safeguard productive marine and freshwater fisheries for ecosystem health and as important foundations of food and livelihood security. TNC has established partnerships with several non-government and government agencies to support fisheries and coastal community-based conservation in Kenya, with increasing connectivity in the greater Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region and throughout Africa.

Marine Spatial Planning GIS Data analyst – WIO supports development and implementation of West Indian Ocean marine spatial Plan. The Data analyst will be part of the implementation team that oversees the new project: “Strengthening the Blue Economy of the WIO through integration of ecosystem services and effective biodiversity conservation” including all aspects of protection, science, stewardship, and community relations. The 5-year German government funded project is the focus of this new role, which will be a 2-year initial contract position with possibility of renewal, depending on funding arrangements. Reporting to the Project Manager – WIO Blue Economy, and work closely with TNC’s Africa Fisheries Team, GIS regional team, Africa Oceans Strategy Director as well as Global Oceans Team, the position will be based at TNC’s office in Mombasa, Kenya.  Except for local labour relocation requirements no work permit sponsorship or assistance is being offered with this position. This is a 2-year term limited position – extension of tenure will be subject to performance and availability of funds. The data analyst either be based in Mombasa Kenya or Dare Salaam – Tanzania.

The GIS Data Analyst for WIO will mainly support development of the Spatial data management Strategy of the MSP with the governments of Kenya, Tanzania and possibly Mauritius. Data analyst will lead creation of a National data for MSP Framework , completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and development of a Zoning Plans. The data Analyst will play a key role in the preparatory stages of marine spatial planning and supporting of the implementation of the MSP project in the three WIO countries. They will support development of a marine spatial plan and fisheries management goals and other resources mapping. Data analyst, while working jointly with Kenya MSP Coordinating team, provide technical advice on the development of a science-based MSP to the IKI WIO Blue Economy Project and World Bank-funded KEMSFED Projects and similar projects in both Tanzania and Mauritius governments.

The GIS Data Analyst for WIO will also provide technical and scientific support on some elements of TNC’s Africa Fisheries Strategy in the application for improved fishery management. The position will apply a diversified knowledge of fisheries-related scientific principles and practices to a broad variety of assignments, from research, analysis and writing, capacity building, and coordination and management support of specific projects.

• Ensure effective coordination with stakeholders/ project implementing partners to ensure smooth implementation of assigned activities
• Provide professional strategic, policy and technical support to the MSP GIS data analysis and other relevant MSP process throughout the process
• Oversee MSP Data  Inputs, data process and management for marine spatial planning for Kenya
• Maintenance of all MSP Data Process and Data Standards for Integration & Reuse
• Support credible MSP data sourcing,  storage and MSP Data Governance
• Produce checklist of metadata that needs to be captured for all data deemed suitable or potentially suitable for Marine Spatial Planning.
• Provide Data Readiness for MSP’ objective assessment of the ease with which a dataset may be integrated for use within Marine Spatial Planning.
• Map designing and production (Cartography) using GIS and Imagine software to support MSP processs and production of Ocean GIS maps
• Design and update Ocean and marine Geospatial databases, applying additional knowledge of spatial feature representations.
• Managing and assimilating high spatial and spectral resolution raster image from variety of satellite, aerial and ground-based sensor platforms.
• Oversee report writing in field of Survey, Geospatial, Geomatics, Remote Sensing, Spatial Planning as may be needed.
• Converting physical maps into digital form for use in historical data capture for MSP work.
• Coordinate, monitor and review the implementation of the MSP GIS project data following the workplan.
• Assisting to build technical and management capacity in support of Kenya’s GIS Marine Spatial Planning data capture, analysis and management
• Support the relevant Government and non-governmental MSP stakeholders and MSP Coordination and Technical Working Groups to ensure they provide the necessary MSP GIS and remote sensing data as required timely.
• Maintain all information and prepare technical progress reports
• May involve frequent travel domestically and/or internationally, evening and weekend hours.
• May help develop and manage work plans and large project budgets

• BA/BS in natural sciences with 5 years’ experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in marine spatial planning GIS/remote sensing data management and conservation
• Experience manipulating, analyzing and interpreting data on oceanography, Marine and Ocean ecosystems as well as ecosystem interactions.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including coordinating the work of other professionals and partners.
• Fundraising experience, including identifying donor prospects and donor cultivation
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Web Browsers.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MSc degree in a related field and 6 -10 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in the management and implementation of multi-stakeholder projects/processes. Proven capacity as team player and team builder.
• Good knowledge of and demonstrated experience in spatial planning, related policies and GIS as applied to marine ecosystems.
• Knowledge of ecosystem planning such as coral reef fisheries, related ecosystems, ecosystem processes, and their conservation needs, climate changes are preferred
• Record of publications in scientific peer reviewed journals related to fishery science and/or coastal management and planning
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability to work independently including keeping timelines.
• Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences including through strong writing skills
• Politically savvy