GIS technician

Organization: African Parks Network – Ethiopia

Location: Gambella National Park

Report to: Conservation Manager

Expected Starting Date: as soon as possible

Type of contract: one year renewable

Vacancy Closing Date: November 10, 2025

BACKGROUND:

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. We currently manage 23 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Ethiopia. Gambella National Park was established as a protected area in 1973 and is 4,575 km² in size. It forms the northern anchor of a much larger contiguous system, with a network of protected areas in southern Ethiopia and neighboring South Sudan. The park hosts several wildlife species including an important population of Nile Lechwe, Ethiopia’s largest population of elephant,

healthy lion populations, one of the most endangered giraffe populations in the world and a shoebill population. Gambella also forms part of the white-eared kob migration between South Sudan and Ethiopia –the largest land mammal migration on earth comprising around 6 million animals.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The GIS Technician will assist in geo-spatial data collection, management and analysis for APN Ethiopia. The GIS team will be the focal point for all mapping tasks for the landscape and be key in land use planning and thus assist Control Room operators, Aerial Observers, Land-use and Community officers in collecting and managing geospatial data. This will include assisting in training personnel in standardized methods to collect and store geo-spatial data, including photography, to assist in assuring that APN Ethiopia is adequately equipped with the hardware and software for our geo-spatial needs, ensuring activities run efficiently and effectively through centralized data management.

MAIN ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Set up and maintain a GIS unit inside the control room. Set up and maintain a database of relevant spatial data.
• Assist in data collection and analysis to answer key ecological questions in and around NP.
• Collaborate with other departments in GIS analysis, for example:
• Law Enforcement team (rangers) in using Earth Ranger (ER)
• Community team in participatory mapping
• Produce monthly maps relevant to management based off ER and other GIS products. Assist with Land Use Planning and surveys in the Tedo area
• Prepare maps and other tools that promote understanding of ecology and instill pride in conservation in the communities through sharing findings and contributing to educational programs.
• Monitoring key species and protection of wildlife. Ensure Earth Ranger model on cellphones accurate for data collection in GNP and ensure seamless integration into ER.
• Support student interns and researchers in NP.
• Security of all staff and assets

Key measures and targets

• GIS unit functional and following AP best practice
• 100% implementation of plans, continual updating of data sets, and contributed to reporting on important findings (including collar and aerial survey data).
• All relevant data collected and made accessible, mapped and stored
• Maps available for PMU reporting. Data collected to support the development of the Tedo area as a Protected Area
• Share findings with the Community Liaison Manager/Officers for dissemination in the communities to broaden ecological understanding and gain support for NP. Participate in education programs as is appropriate.
• Maintain the ArcGIS and ER databases, and where relevant carry over data to iNaturalist, eBird and other platforms.
• Support law enforcement activities through sharing relevant data and information with Law Enforcement Department.
• Engaged with consultants and students to produce high quality mapping.
• Zero theft, zero accident.

What success looks like

1. Mapping services and spatial analysis provided across departments
2. Contributing to the functioning of the control room
3. Data and maps available in relevant databases
4. Contribute to Land Use Planning and law enforcement
5. Multiple students working successfully
6. Support the Law Enforcement Department through sharing relevant data and information
7. Contribute to research capacities and facilities at NP to broaden the scope of data collection and ecological understanding of the Park.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of BSc in geography, wildlife conservation, or equivalent, with a focus on GIS
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in spatial analysis, database management, or related research
• Experience with GIS systems
• Experience with relevant software (Earth Ranger, ArcGIS, etc.), and data collection applications such as Survey 123 and KOBO
• Experience in organizing and analyzing spatial datasets and in disseminating such analysis in understandable and actionable way
• Experience working in remote areas and familiarity with living in the bush
• Fluent in English, any local language is an asset
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and be flexible
• Clean record of conduct (no convictions)
• Physically fit and able to be in field for extended periods (to undergo fitness and medical annually)
• Between 20 and 40 years of age. Being Ethiopian and from the region is an asset