Key responsibilities include:

• Feasibility study to adapt and expand mortality data collection and analysis to other CITES listed species:
• Conduct a desk study on data collection and reporting methodologies applied to monitor illegal killing of other CITES listed species, such as African lions, rhinoceroses, giraffes to identify potential species that could be included in the feasibility assessment.
• Consult the range States of the species identified through the desk study [relevant national wildlife authorities, including those participating in the African Carnivores Initiative (ACI)], the MIKE Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and other relevant experts involved in monitoring programmes at national level to investigate the applicability of data collection and reporting protocol options to other CITES listed species.
• Identify potential target species (at least two species) and conservation areas that may be used for pilot testing of expanded data collection efforts.
• Identify key data elements to be collected and develop a data collection form and other related protocols as well as basic training materials based on existing relevant training materials relating to data collection for the selected species.
• Identify and test options to analyze the data (based on existing information) taking into consideration the MIKE data analysis and other existing methodologies used for the selected species.
• Feasibility Study Report preparation: Prepare detailed report(s) outlining findings, an executive summary, proposed data collection and management protocols, possible analysis options and recommendations.
• Seek inputs from the CITES Secretariat, range States of the species selected and any other relevant experts to refine the draft feasibility study report.
• Assess the potential additional human resource, expertise, support and funds needed by range States and the Secretariat to implement a potential expanded programme relating to monitoring the illegal killing of other CITES listed species.
• Regional workshop
• Facilitate a two-day regional workshop involving range States and relevant experts to present the feasibility study report, incorporate recommendations and prepare a workshop report.
• Develop a clear implementation plan with the agreement of the concerned range States to implement a pilot testing phase through to 2027.
• Perform other duties related to the assignment, as required.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in wildlife ecology, statistics, environmental statistics, environmental science, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Within the seven years of experience required, at least five years of relevant work experience in wildlife monitoring and biodiversity conservation.
• Within the seven years of experience required, at least five years experience in data analytics, statistical modeling, and their applications to conservation and development issues is required. Knowledge of MIKE data collection, submission and analysis systems is required.
• Within the seven years of experience required, at least four years of experience in using data analytics for addressing wildlife conservation, protected areas management, and other environmental/biodiversity questions in developing countries is required Within the seven years of experience required, at least five years of familiarity with a wide variety of data analysis software and methodologies, including knowledge of Bayesian statistical modelling is required. Within the seven years of experience required, at least five years of experience in preparation of peer-reviewed studies and reports is required.