Project Overview

KTK-BELT in partnership with International Conservation Fund of Canada (ICFC) is focusing on creating a snow leopard conservation zone in the eastern region of Nepal. The desired conservation outcomes will be achieved through habitat restoration and developing knowledge among locals on the importance of biodiversity. For this purpose, KTK-BELT is building a team that will be managed by a coordinator and supported by thematic experts, community mobilizers, and youth fellows, to work both at community and advocacy levels.

Scope of Work

The incumbent will be responsible for generating GIS and remote sensing data in the field of biodiversity and conservation in Eastern Nepal.  

Duty Statiion: Eastern Nepal and Kathmandu

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a database of GIS and remote-sensing data
  
• 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.
  
• Conducting mapping research to understand the land-use changes in target landscapes
  
• Undertake ground-truthing as needed, in conunction with field staff, in order to verify the maps and spatial analyses produced and to determine levels of accuracy. 
  
• Model key species populations, building upon other data sources.
  
• Develop high quality maps for reports, presentations and other communication materials. 
  
• Provide appropriate data as needed for grant and funding opportunities. 
  

Qualification and Experience

• Master’s degree in geography, environmental studies, natural resource management, forestry, geomatics engineering or similar field plus at least 3-4 year related experience.
  
• 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
  
• Ability to work collaboratively in multi-person teams
  
• Strong research and writing skills
  
• Experience with water, biodiversity, species or other conservation-related issues
  

Timing

Applications must be received by September 25, 2018. The position will be filled before October 8, 2018 and will be for a six-month period, with possibility of extension contingent on funding. The first month will be a trial period. 

Renumeration: Dependent on qualifications and experience and limited by allocation from the project funder