Impact Measurement Support Scientist

NATURAL STATE’s mission is to catalyze landscape restoration at scale by providing the information and analysis needed to trigger nature-based solution markets and unlock private sector funding. Natural State is partnering with world experts to generate a set of deployable, best-in-class impact measurement systems, and dashboards to underpin an integrated Carbon and Biodiversity market. For more information visit https://www.naturalstate.org/  

Natural State is looking for a suitable candidate to fulfil the role of Impact Measurement Support Scientist. The Support Scientist will work under the Impact Measurement Technical Lead, and collaboratively with the Natural State team and partner organisations to develop and deploy the data pipelines that underpin impact measurement systems, designed to measure carbon, biodiversity and development metrics cost-effectively and at scale.

The role will test and deploy impact measurement systems including camera trap systems, acoustic monitoring systems, aerial-based camera systems, and Satellite-based monitoring systems. Data management systems must be designed to efficiently flow information for near-real time processing and statistical analysis of impact measurement. The Support Scientist will support the development of an impact monitoring dashboard, backed up by verifiable, auditable data collation and management systems, to effectively communicate impact to multiple audiences to inform the performance of selected conservation landscape 

This is a technical position requiring proficiency in biodiversity survey and monitoring techniques and data management. The Support Scientist’s primary function will be to support the Impact Measurement Technical Lead in the development of efficient and effective data flows for impact measurement. This will include technical work that includes data management and helping to design and interact with databases, as well as a field-based component that involves the deployment of sensors. In addition, the support scientist will be expected to build capability within the field teams through on-the-job training of teams, particularly at the NATURAL STATE Research Centre in Kenya.

This job can be done from anywhere but will require travel and time spent in Northern Kenya.

Minimum requirements: 

• MSc with 7 years’ experience in conservation science

• Extensive experience in deploying field-based protocols for ecological monitoring and surveying biodiversity in protected areas

• Experience using passive sensor technology such as camera traps and acoustic sensors

• Experience in conducting aerial surveys

• Competent GIS capability and understanding of remote sensing principles

• Demonstrable database design and data management skills

• Demonstrable understanding of statistical principles associated with the measurement of biodiversity-related metrics.

• Demonstrable ability to work with cloud-based computing platforms.

• Experience and willingness to travel and conduct fieldwork independently across multiple African Countries

• Experience managing small teams and working with diverse cultures and experience levels in varying contexts.

Desired requirements: 

• Experience in the estimation of abundance and/or relative abundance of medium to large mammals, estimating structural and functional diversity of communities, including birds and vegetation.

• Experience in the measurement of Soil Organic Carbon and / or Above Ground Carbon

• Experience in the design and implementation of social surveys

• Experience with Google Earth Engine and/ or Digital Earth Africa systems

• Experience in designing auditable data systems

• Experience in the following software platforms: R / Python / Shiny / Django

• Experience in training people in field-based protocols.

Please send a BRIEF 1-2 page cover letter detailing the following to contact@naturalstate.org, as well as a short CV.

1. How you meet the above requirements

2. What are your salary/ package expectations?

3. When you would likely be available to begin work

Only short list applicants will be contacted for an interview. Applications will be kept open until a suitable candidate is found.