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 15 April 2025.

Please note:

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

Job Overview The primary role of the Beetsha NKC Chef is the preparation of food for staff and visitors staying at the centre. Additionally the Chef will prepare food for workshops and training at the centre.They will also be responsible for imparting and transferring cooking skills to identified trainees from the community. They will oversee and assist the Housekeeper ensuring offices,accommodation and training facilities are kept clean and tidy. They will be responsible for training, coaching and mentoring the Housekeeper to impart housekeeping,cooking and kitchen skills.

**Key Responsibilities **

Preparation of meals:

• Prepared meals to the expected standards following recipes.
• Ensure enough/the right quantities are cooked through measuring,weighing and mixing ingredients,to minimise wastages.
• Follow food safety procedures to prevent cross-contamination and food borne illnesses.
• Ensure that food is prepared and served on time, observing the camp scheduled meal times.
• Maintain and adhere to established food safety and sanitation standards.

Maintain a clean and safe working environment:

• Ensure the kitchen and dining area is clean and safe at all times.
• Ensure kitchen utensils like dishes,pots and other equipment are kept clean and sanitised.
• Operate and clean cooking equipment,such ovens,stove tops and grills.
• Adhere to BWBT and industry health and safety regulations and standards.

Inventory control and storage:

• Safe handling and storage of food and ingredients.
• Assisting with inventory management and ordering of food supplies as needed.
• Record and monitor food inventory levels and timely place orders.

Assist and support with housekeeping duties:

• Assist with housekeeping and cleaning duties when the housekeeper is not available/on leave.
• Support and assist housekeeping and office cleaning duties during peak periods.

Provide cooking training:

• Contribute to a cooking training program at the centre for assistants.
• Contribute to and lead practical cooking training to selected beneficiaries.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to trainees.

Qualities and Skills

• Knowledge of safety procedures,including safe temperatures at which ingredients must be kept and to which food must be prepared to avoid food borne illness.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to train and impact skills to others.
• Proven experience as Chef.
• Experience in using cutting tools,cookware and bakeware.
• Knowledge of various cooking procedures and methods (grilling,baking,boiling etc).
• Ability to follow all sanitation procedures.
• Very good communication skills.
• Excellent physical condition and stamina

  Hard Skills

• Food preparation: As a member of the kitchen staff,you will be responsible for preparing ingredients and dishes to the highest standards.This includes basic food preparation skills such as chopping, measuring and mixing as well as more complex techniques like cooking meats and seafood to perfection.
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment: you will need to be comfortable using a range of kitchen equipment, from stovetops and ovens to knives and cutting boards.Knowing how to properly operate and care for this equipment is key to working efficiently and safely in the kitchen.
• Food safety regulations: understanding and adhering to food safety regulations is crucial to ensuring that meals are safe and free from contamination.
• Meal presentation: a dish that looks and smells great is just as important as one that tastes great. You will need to have an eye for detail and be able to create beautiful, appetising dishes that are as visually appealing as they are delicious.
• Basic maths skills: measuring ingredients and scaling recipes requires basic maths skills, so it's important to be comfortable with numbers and fractions.

Soft Skills

• Effective communication: be able to communicate effectively.
• Collaborative: ability to work with others, accommodating their opinions.
• Attention to detail: in a kitchen, small mistakes can have big consequences. The ability to pay close attention to detail is essential to ensuring that dishes are prepared and cooked to perfection.
• Flexibility: the ability to adapt to changing circumstances is important in any job, but especially in a kitchen where unexpected situations can arise at any moment.
• Willingness to learn: Whether it's learning a new recipe or mastering a new cooking technique, being open to learning is key to growing as a member of the kitchen staff.

Please note the following

• The position is based in Beetsha, at Beetsha Nkashi Knowledge Centre. However, the selected candidate is expected to stay in Beetsha and he/she is responsible for arranging their own accommodation in Beetsha.
• The applicants must be locals of the OCT villages.
• If you believe that this role provides a potential opportunity for you to showcase your exceptional abilities and skills, please send your confidential application to** jobs@nkashitrust.org.bw** with “Beetsha Nkashi Knowledge Centre (NKC) Chef” as the email subject line.
• Alternatively, submissions can be delivered to Beetsha Nkashi Knowledge Centre between 8am to 5pm during weekdays.
• Deadline for submission: 11 April 2025.

In addition your application is to include:

• Cover letter motivating and outlining your interest in the role and why you believe you should be considered for this potential opportunity.
• Curriculum Vitae (with relevant contact details and must include remuneration expectations) and copies of relevant educational certificates.
• Please note: Salary is commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.