Database Officer at International Union for Conservation of Nature

The objective of the position is to maintain, update, develop and support the African elephant component of the African Elephant Database (AED) and its user community and produce regular African Elephant Status Reports.

The AED consists primarily of a PostGIS relational database, with a web-based data acquisition and visualization front end http://elephantdatabase.org. Ruby on Rails and Google Fusion Tables are used in the web components. All production AED components are cloud-hosted, but copies of Rails and PostGIS can be run locally for development and experimentation. A workstation with a local development copy of the system is maintained at the AfESG office.

JOB DESCRIPTION

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical

• Administer the AED and oversee all its technical aspects.
• With the Senior Programme Officer, promote use of the AED with wildlife authorities and experts to obtain elephant population data.
• Provide users with technical support as needed.
• Coordinate the activities of the AfESG Data Review Working Group (DRWG).
• Control quality and categorization of data input into the AED.
• Digitize relevant data for inclusion into the AED.
• In coordination with the DRWG, develop and enhance the analytical capabilities of the AED.
• Conduct spatial and statistical analysis of elephant populations and other relevant datasets.
• Write and produce African Elephant Status Reports as directed by the DRWG.
• Coordinate the review process of applications for AED data.
• Use innovative tools to facilitate the dissemination of elephant data and information to the general public.

Administrative

• Plan and execute the printing and distribution of African Elephant Status Report.
• Document all processes, procedures and programming routines in the AED.
• In coordination with the Administrative Officer, plan and organize meetings of the AfESG DRWG.
• In close liaison with the Senior Programme Officer, produce technical reports to donors.
• Manage AED funds and budgets in liaison with the Senior Programme Officer and Administrative Officer.
• Provide assistance to the AfESG Secretariat in raising funds to ensure the continuity of the AED and the position of the Database Officer.

Other

• Other duties as directed by the AfESG’s Senior Programme Officer.

REQUIREMENTS

• Formal training in biology, ecology and statistics
• Familiarity with wildlife survey datasets would be desirable
• Demonstrated ability in and extensive experience with the use of GIS software, and ArcGIS and QGIS in particular
• General familiarity with programming languages and web development frameworks. Current knowledge of (or capability to self-learn) how to maintain an application written in Ruby on Rails
• Experience in SQL database management and administration
• Aptitude in the use of software applications at advanced user level, including office software, graphic manipulation and layout software, bibliographical database software, and website design software
• Dedicated team worker, positive attitude
• Ability to follow up on all data leads
• Ability to support and network with people from different backgrounds
• Ability to present information – both written and graphical – in a clear and concise manner
• Fluency in written and spoken English and at least a basic level of French, written and spoken
• Experience in budgeting and fund administration desirable