Restoration Ecologist International Crane Foundation

Title: Restoration Ecologist

JOB DESCRIPTION

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) works worldwide to protect cranes and the places cranes dance!

ICF has entered into a 20-year collaborative management partnership agreement with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and WWF Zambia. The objective of the agreement is to restore and manage the Kafue Flats as a model for balancing ecological conservation, ecosystem services and human wellbeing in a protected area floodplain system. The theme of the agreement is “A Thriving Wetland for all”. This partnership works across sub-Saharan Africa to maintain stable or growing wild populations of the four threatened crane species: Wattled, Blue, Grey Crowned, and Black Crowned Cranes. We achieve this through conservation actions that effectively reduce threats to the species and their habitats, and through working closely with local communities and key local, national, and global stakeholders. We provide tools and support to empower individuals, community groups, and local partner organizations to manage catchments for the benefit of both people and cranes, ensuring that conservation is mainstreamed into local decision-making and practices for sustainable species and habitat conservation impacts. The ICF Partnership currently has three regional hubs across Africa, located in South Africa, Zambia, and Uganda, and will be expanding into West / Central Africa.
We are looking for an experienced, dynamic, committed and detail-orientated person to fill the position of Restoration Ecologist.
Purpose of the Position

Main Responsibilities:

• Undertake Wattled and Grey Crowned Crane population and nest surveys in the Kafue Flats and other sites as required through with support and mentorship from the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager and the Operations Manager
• Facilitate and support data collection, analysis and reporting of law enforcement activities through the implementation of the Kafue Flats Wetlands Information System (KFWIS), SMART and Earth Ranger tools for the Kafue Flats.
• Implement the KFRP Research and Monitoring Plan particularly collection of data needed to track the progress of the KFRP and to inform adaptive management, review and planning
• Lead in the Mimosa control programme through recruiting community workers to undertake the work, ensure that the research component of the Mimosa clearing is maintained through undertaking ecological monitoring associated with invasive species control.
• Collaborating with stakeholders, including government agencies, environmental organizations, and the public.

OTHER IMPORTANT DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

• Contribute to the development, review and finalization of the Research and Monitoring Plan for the KFRP.
• Provide strategic input to the Blue Lagoon and Lochinvar National Park Management Plans, and the Kafue Flats Restoration Plan, with specific focus on integrating research needs into the management plans and supporting protected area management goals.
• Work with DNPW ecologists and other DNPW staff to meet the goals of this position and the KFRP.
• Support the development and implementation. and evaluation of education and awareness programmes for the communities of the Kafue Flats ecosystem
• Contribute to proposals and other fundraising activities as required to support the KFRP.
• Contribute to the expansion of current restoration work to include other relevant activities to be determined such as bush encroachment, fire management, range management, rotational grazing and others.
• Share information about research and restoration work with the Communications Specialist regularly
• Contribute to the functioning of the KFRP as an effective and goal-oriented coalition of willing and equal partners.
• Undertake such other reasonable duties that may be reasonably required of you from time to time as assigned by your line manager.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in conducting research, field surveys, animal population surveys and vegetation surveys in wetland environments, scientific report writing, data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge in best fire management practices, wetland restoration, Monitoring and Evaluation of conservation projects and Grant writing.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret ecological data and proficiency in statistical analysis, use of software such as “R”, GIS and Remote Sensing etc.
• Ability to present findings to diverse audiences, including government officials, conservation practitioners, and community stakeholders and ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams and coordinate field operations
• Understanding of Zambian environmental laws, wetland conservation policies, and international conventions (e.g., Ramsar Convention on Wetlands)
• Experience in driving offload 4×4 vehicles and with valid driver’s license required
• Experience in working in remote areas required.
• The right candidate is required to be field based and must be willing to spend extended time in the field.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BSc in Ecology/Natural Resource Management/Wildlife Management/Conservation Biology or any related field.
• Postgraduate (MSc) degree in conservation/project management field