Background

The Wild Bird Trust runs conservation projects which presently have operations in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Angola through the presence of local operating entities being The Wild Bird Trust in South Africa, The Nkashi Trust, Kavango Wilderness Project and Fundacao Lisima in Angola. In addition, there is a USA based 501c3 organization, The Wild Bird Foundation of America.

The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s natural wonders, and the Okavango Basin in Angola and Namibia that feeds the Delta is the source of water for more than one million people. It also plays a key role for supporting wildlife and livelihoods, and it has the potential to play an even bigger role in southern Africa’s socio-economic development.

The Okavango Delta’s health however, is dependent on its source lakes and rivers, which originate as rain in Angola’s highlands and flow down through Namibia, into Botswana. The effects of climate change, deforestation, water diversion and upstream commercial agriculture are putting this critical lifeline at risk. While the Delta itself holds protected status, the Okavango Basin that feeds it, does not.

Since 2015, the National Geographic Society’s Okavango Wilderness Project has been working to help secure permanent, sustainable protection for the Okavango Basin. National Geographic has now been joined by De Beers to help secure protection for the Okavango Delta’s headwaters. The Wild bird Trust is the implementing partner for the project.

Reporting Line(s):

The HMMP Manager will report directly to the Research Manager, NGOWP

Job Overview

The main function of this role is to provide the necessary support, maintenance and installation of the hydrological monitoring stations for the Wild Bird Trust (WBT) in fulfilling its science and research objectives. The HMMP Manager is expected to collaborate with the entire WBT team and to contribute to the overall scientific output of the organisation.

Working Hours / Place of Work:

The role is a full-time, permanent position working on average 8 hours per day, Monday to Friday unless involved in any expedition or field work which would then involve working over weekends. This is a work from home position, ideally to be based in Namibia, Botswana or South Africa and must therefore have a suitable home office set up to support optimal and efficient work output. A suitable laptop and/or desktop computer will be provided. Occasionally, regional and/or international travel may be required to attend conferences and execute field work for which a valid passport for travel will be required.

Responsibilities and Duties

Hydrological Operations:

1. Plan and assist with new monitoring station installations.
2. Ensure the technology of the stations is always current and up to date.
3. Monitor the stations daily and ensure they are functioning efficiently.
4. Plan and implement maintenance and calibration trips to all monitoring stations.
5. Field work will take place in Namibia, Botswana and Angola, and to a lesser extent their neighboring countries and elsewhere in Africa.

Station Data Management:

1. Data management (monitor the data coming in from the stations and validate)
2. Assist with the building of the data Dashboard.
3. Keep a database of all sensors in circulation and ensure sensors are regularly calibrated and faulty/old sensors replaced.
4. Capacity building on installation and maintenance trips.
5. R&D to improve and expand stations and keep up to date with the latest technologies.
6. Data management will be managed from the home office with use of cloud based technologies for data security and redundancy.
7. Assist with technical and scientific annual reports.

Other duties

1. Participate when required on field expeditions.
2. Assisting, training and capacity building of local team members, interns and students.
3. Ensure adherence to the relevant Wild Bird Trust Policies and Standard Operating Procedures.

Skills, Competencies and Requirements for the role:

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field involving Hydrology and Meteorology.
• 3 to 5 years working in a similar role and conditions.

Technology and Technical Skills / Requirements:

Remote Monitoring Systems:

• Experience with the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of remote sensor networks (hydrological, meteorological, or related fields).
• Understanding of sensor technologies (e.g., pressure transducers, rain gauges, temperature/humidity sensors, anemometers).
• Proficiency in data logger configuration and programming (e.g., Campbell Scientific, Onset HOBO, or similar).
• Knowledge of telemetry systems (cellular, satellite, radio).

Networking and Communications:

• Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP, MQTT, etc.).
• Experience with cellular modem configuration and troubleshooting.
• Basic understanding of satellite communication systems.
• Knowledge of wireless communication principles.

Cloud Computing:

• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Experience with data ingestion and storage in cloud environments.
• Understanding of cloud-based data processing and analysis.

Data Management and Analysis:

• Proficiency in data manipulation and analysis using tools like Python (Pandas, NumPy), R, or similar.
• Experience with database management systems (SQL, NoSQL).
• Ability to interpret and validate sensor data.

Software and Programming: Essential:

• Python: For data processing, scripting, and potentially API interaction.
• SQL: For database interaction and data retrieval.

Desirable:

• R: For statistical analysis and data visualization.
• JavaScript (or similar): for potentially interacting with the data dashboard.
• Experience with API integration.

Electronics and Electrical:

• Basic understanding of electrical circuits and wiring.
• Ability to use multimeters and other diagnostic tools.
• Experience with solar power systems (for remote station power)

Operating Systems:

• Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments (for server management and data processing).
• Experience with Windows OS.

**Abilities / Competencies: **

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of accepted scientific and research processes.
• Able to work independently or as part of a culturally diverse team in which you would mostly be taking on a leadership role.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to quickly learn any new technological updates related to the role as they arise.
• Ability to set and work within deadlines efficiently.
• Highly accurate worker with a strong attention to detail.
• Physical strength and fitness and be able to perform physical work in rugged terrain while working in the field and/or during expeditions.
• Must enjoy the outdoors and be comfortable camping in the wild and eating simple food when involved with field and expedition work.
• Confident driver with a valid Driver’s License & 4x4 driving experience.
• Willingness to represent the work of the WBT in a highly professional but approachable manner to ensure success in your collection of required information and data in your engagement with stakeholders / potential stakeholders.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Grafana, Tableau) is a plus.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) is a plus.

Personal Skills:

• Enthusiastic, technically minded and adaptive and forward thinking in your approach.
• Highly motivated with a strong commitment to meeting both personal work and teamwork deliverables and goals.
• Strong sense of accountability for your role.
• A natural willingness and ability to problem-solve.
• Flexible approach to your work - your schedule may necessitate changes to meet any unexpected and urgent work needs and/or deadlines.

Application Process

Candidates interested in this position should please email an application letter and Curriculum vitae as one attachment to careers@wildbirdtrust.co.za and use “HMMP Manager, Wild Bird Trust” as the email subject line. Note: Your cover letter must also include your salary expectations and explain why you believe you should be considered as a suitable candidate for this role. Your Curriculum Vitae must include contact information and role related contactable references. Applications close at 17:00 on 31 March 2025.

Please note:

• Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.