Duration, Start Date: January 15, 2021

Duty Location: Field Based in Eastern Nepal.

Position and Scope of Work:

The incumbents will be responsible for working closely with local communities in the KTK-BELT project sites across eastern Nepal to create strategies for protecting threatened native plants and IUCN Red List species from other groups (amphibians, birds, mammals etc). The incumbents will be expected to work in the team to expand digital and analog biodiversity portals and prepare biodiversity compendiums for different regions of the Vertical University project.  They will be expected to work in an inter-disciplinary team, within the KTK-BELT’s 3-pring framework of conservation, education and livelihood.

Tasks to be completed:

Botanist Position

• Explore and identify threatened  local species in regions where the Learning Grounds works
• Identify important endemic trees for which local conservation efforts need to be increased through plantation and afforestation efforts
• Establish seed banks and in situ plant conservation garden with a focus on most threatened botanical species
• Organize citizen science workshops and trainings for youth fellows and local farmers, to strengthen their understanding of the floral diversity found in their communities
• Prepare relevant outdoor education modules for students as per the KTK-BELT outdoor education program modules
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Vertical Farm team to establish a seed bank of wild edible plants for target regions where the Learning Grounds are being set up
• Work closely and communicate with the project team members, local communities and government officials to ensure proper implementation of the program

Wildlife Species Expert (sector expert from any species group)

• Explore and identify threatened local species in regions where the Learning Grounds works
• Identify important priority species for which local conservation efforts need to be increased and develop plans for community engagement
• Organize citizen science workshops and trainings for youth fellows and local farmers, to strengthen their understanding of locally endangered species and ecologies
• Prepare relevant outdoor education modules for students as per the KTK-BELT outdoor education program modules
• Work closely and communicate with the project team members, local communities and government officials to ensure proper implementation of the program

Conservation Mapping Expert

• Support the maintenance of a geospatial database containing GIS, remote-sensing and other spatial and non-spatial data for landscapes where KTK-BELT works
• Continually identify, acquire and enrich the database with external spatial data relevant to KTK-BELT’s conservation activities. 
• Analyze remote sensing data such as satellite images in order to identify vulnerable or threatened landscapes in order to facilitate habitat restoration or linking of biodiversity corridors or hotspots. 
• Conduct research and data collection by assessing, compiling, and arranging biological, environmental information
• Ensure the data base is secured and regularly backed up
• Develop work assignments for community mobilizers and youth fellows. 
• Identify appropriate training and capacity building opportunities for project staff.
• Provide advice on appropriate GIS, spatial analysis and database software, to ensure that the software used is of the appropriate standard. 
• Prepare maps and undertake spatial analyses 
• Develop thematic maps of species distribution, forest cover pattern, land use pattern etc.
• Undertake ground-truthing as needed, in conjunction with field staff, in order to verify the maps and spatial analyses produced and to determine levels of accuracy. 
• Develop high quality maps for reports, presentations and other communication materials. 
• Provide appropriate data as needed for grant and funding opportunities. 

Qualification / Experience Desired:

• M.Sc. in Botany, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or related field, geography, environmental studies, natural resource management, forestry, geomatics engineering or similar field plus 3+ year related experience.
• Strong knowledge and demonstrated experience of particular species conservation
• Authorship of relevant articles and papers preferred
• For Botanist: Expertise and interest in lower plants (pteridophytes, bryophytes, lichens, and fungi) preferred 
• Highest degree of sensitivity regarding gender, caste, religion, and economic status
• Completely Fluent communication skills via written, spoken and in English 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to adapt in multicultural team members, and in different projects sites
• For conservation mapping specialist: Expert knowledge in use of Remote Sensing & GIS tools such as ArcGIS, Erdas Imagine, ENVI and other open source software with computer programming (R/IDL/Python, Matlab) and statistical data processing skills. Ability to use Adobe Suite software will be preferred with strong graphic skills. Excellent analytical, problem solving and research skills
• Team player, friendly, professional attitude, focused and hard working
• Female candidates and members of underprivileged ethnic communities strongly encouraged to apply 

Remuneration:  Commensurate with experience/qualifications.