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GIS & Data Coordinator

Wildlife Conservation Society • 2h ago

Reports to: Conservation Impact Manager

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Country Program/Sector: Africa Protected Areas Management Unit (APAMU)

Capacity: Africa-wide

Position Type: Full-time

Coordinates with: WCS field/site technical teams, WCS Global Conservation Technology, WCS APAMU team

Job Purpose:

The Data Coordinator will support the systematic management and quality of datasets produced by field programs across WCS’ key conservation landscapes and protected area projects in Africa. The position will provide critical support to ensure that data are correct and timely available for decision-making and reporting needs. They will achieve this by working with APAMU Conservation Impact Manager and field-based data managers to ensure that data are managed in accordance with institutional best practices.

Major responsibilities

Data Management & Analysis:

Create and maintain a centralised GIS database for Africa.

Prepare and integrate corrected geospatial data layers to support informed decision-making.

Visualise geospatial data layers in detailed maps to serve as the basis for planning and decision-making.

Support the implementation and training of field teams in common data collection and analysis workflows across sites using a suite of software including, but not limited to, SERCA tools (ArcGIS Pro and Enterprise, Kobo ToolBox, SMART, ER, Ecoscope, etc.).

Support the centralisation, validation, and organisation of data from multiple data sources.

Ensure datasets are correct and formatted to conduct basic–intermediate data analysis to identify trends, errors, and insights.

Undertake regular field visits to verify data quality, understand operational contexts, and strengthen local data systems and capacity.

Provide ad-hoc support to field-based teams to strengthen data quality and completeness, as well as apply institutional standards.

Produce data summaries and visualisations as required.

MEL Coordination & Support:

Provide hands-on technical support and capacity building to field teams to improve data practices and use of software and conservation technologies (including GIS, ER, SMART, KoboToolBox, etc).

Assist with documentation of methodologies, standards, and guidelines as required by the Conservation Impact Manager.

Support internal learning activities such as workshops, training, and cross-program data reviews.

Internal Qualification Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in geospatial analysis, data analytics or similar.

3+ years of experience in data coordination, data management, MEL, or related technical field.

Strong competency in GIS (QGIS and ArcGIS), ESRI products, conservation technology tools; competency in programming languages such as Python and R is an asset.

Experience in using tools for data visualisation (e.g. Tableau, Power BI).

Experience supporting field data collection and management processes (essential), including diverse tools for data collection (KoboToolBox, SMART, EarthRanger).

Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and French; working knowledge of Portugues is an asset.

Demonstrated ability to work independently.

High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.

Ability to work collaboratively across teams and countries.

Willingness and ability to travel to field sites, including remote areas with challenging travel conditions to provide training and do data quality assessments.

Desired Skills

Problem-solving: Demonstrated capacity to identify and resolve basic data-related issues.

Attention to Detail: Strong accuracy, consistency, and completeness in all data tasks.

Teamwork: Collaborative approach to working with cross-functional teams.

Continuous Learning: Commitment to expanding technical skills and staying current with MEL and data trends.