GIS & Data Coordinator

Job Overview

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is seeking a dedicated GIS & Data Coordinator to support its Africa Protected Areas Management Unit (APAMU). This role is full-time, based remotely in Kigali, Rwanda, and involves collaborating with field and technical teams to ensure superior data quality and timely availability for key conservation projects across Africa.

Core Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a centralized GIS database covering WCS's African conservation landscapes.
• Integrate and correct geospatial layers to aid informed planning and operational decisions.
• Create detailed map visualizations to support project planning and management.
• Assist and train field teams on standardized data collection and analysis workflows using a suite of software such as SERCA tools, ArcGIS Pro and Enterprise, Kobo ToolBox, SMART, EarthRanger, Ecoscope, and similar.
• Centralize, validate, and organize data from a variety of sources ensuring its accuracy and usability.
• Prepare datasets in formats suitable for basic to intermediate data analysis, aiding trend identification and error spotting.
• Conduct routine site visits to verify data integrity, understand operational challenges, and boost local data system capacities.
• Offer ad-hoc support to field teams to enhance data quality and adherence to institutional standards.
• Generate periodic data summaries and visual representations as needed.
• Provide technical assistance and training to improve data management practices and software use including GIS, EarthRanger, SMART, and KoboToolBox.
• Contribute to building documentation of methodologies, protocols, and best practices as directed.
• Support workshops, training sessions, and cross-program data evaluations to foster internal knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in geospatial analysis, data analytics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in data coordination, management, or monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) within a technical setting.
• Proficiency with GIS platforms including QGIS, ArcGIS, and ESRI software; programming experience with Python and R is advantageous.
• Experience with data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI.
• Familiarity supporting field data collection with tools such as KoboToolBox, SMART, and EarthRanger.
• Excellent communication skills in English and French, with Portuguese as a plus.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively across teams and geographic regions.
• High attention to detail, ensuring precise and consistent data management.
• Willingness and capacity to travel to remote field sites with challenging conditions to provide training and conduct data quality assessments.

Desired Attributes

• Effective problem-solving skills for resolving data-related issues promptly.
• Strong commitment to accuracy and consistency in all data-related work.
• Collaborative teamwork approach in diverse and cross-functional environments.
• Passion for continuous learning and technical skill development in MEL and data trends.
• Capability and readiness to deliver training and transfer knowledge effectively.

Additional Information

The position reports to the Conservation Impact Manager and involves active coordination with local field teams, WCS technical units globally, and the APAMU team. This is an equal opportunity role committed to diversity, inclusion, and impartial recruitment practices in compliance with employment laws. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.