Data Officer
Lion Guardians is seeking a Data Officer to help drive impact in our community-based conservation organization. This is a hands-on role at the heart of our operations, where you will work closely with field teams, local communities, and conservation stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate data collection, analysis, and sharing of critical information for important conservation management decisions.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Lion Guardians is a Kenyan-based conservation organization focused on enabling people and lions to coexist on community lands.
ABOUT THE ROLE
- Location: Lion Guardians Camp – Eselenkei Group Ranch, Kajiado, Kenya
- Type: Full-time
- Start: 1st June 2025
- Remuneration: Based on experience and qualifications
This is an exciting opportunity for a data-driven professional to join a dedicated team at the forefront of lion conservation. The role requires a strong commitment to wildlife conservation, combined with expertise in data management, research, and relevant technologies. Your work will directly support our community-based Guardians by managing data systems, overseeing all incoming and outgoing data, and delivering key analyses that inform conservation strategies across the Amboseli ecosystem.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, Statistics, Conservation Biology, or related field
- 3+ years in data management or a program officer role
- Strong analytical, organizational, and detail-oriented skills
- Experience managing complex datasets and systems
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse team
- Fluency in English, Swahili, and Maa (spoken and written)
- Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; knowledge of GIS tools (QGIS, ArcGIS) and data platforms (R, Python) is a plus
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Willingness to work in the field
- Self-motivated and solution-focused, with a desire to learn
RESPONSIBILITIES
Data Collection & Management
- Work with field teams to ensure timely and accurate data collection and validation
- Design and manage data tools and workflows for conservation monitoring
- Maintain regular backups and uphold data security standards
Data Analysis & Reporting
- Analyze data and produce visuals and summaries to guide conservation decisions
- Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting
- Maintain lion ID records and organize incoming radio room data
Stakeholder Support & Capacity Building
- Train team members in data tools and systems; offer ongoing tech support
- Coordinate data-sharing and maintain consistency in standards and formats
- Troubleshoot issues to ensure high-quality data across teams
TO APPLY: Submit your CV and cover letter by 15th May 2025 to: info@lionguardians.org
Lion Monitoring Manager
Our conservation organization is seeking to recruit for an existing leadership opportunity, Lion Monitoring Manager, to help drive work on the ground in a high impact community-based organization. This role is hands-on, and you will work closely with a small team alongside the local communities, helping to develop conflict mitigation techniques andmonitor lion populations and movement within the Amboseli ecosystem.
The role oversees the management of a growing monitoring team whilst coordinating closely with the Guardians on theground and local stakeholders to proactively mitigate conflict, identify problem lions, and lead preventative measures including night boma patrols, mock hunts, and collaring of problem lions.
This position offers a great opportunity to steer the activities for a growing conservation organization working with aniconic species, in a fast-paced environment with a passionate team of dedicated people.
Duty Station: Lion Guardians Camp - Eselenkei Group Ranch, Kajiado, Kenya
Reporting to: Lion Conservation Advisor Position Type: Full-time 12-month contract Conditions: Full board, incremental leave
Core Duties: Management of monitoring department/ 4-5 staff, conflict mitigation lead, field practitioner
Time split: Office based 70% - Field based 30%
Remuneration: Dependent on candidates experience and qualifications
Key candidate attributes:
- Minimum education: University Degree
- Minimum job experience: 3 years in a leadership role / program management role
- Leadership qualities - team organization, problem solving and risk management
- Experience and ability to manage teams/activities with a holistic view of events across the ecosystem
- Two year’s experience in responding and mitigating human-lion conflict
- Competent in English both spoken and writing, fluent in Maa and Swahili (Priority given to people from the Amboseli ecosystem)
- High level computer proficiency – Microsoft Office, strong analytical skills, and mapping software
- Proven experience in budget management and accounting
- Community liaison skills - strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to build trust, communicate clearly, and maintain respectful relationships
- Off road 4x4 driving experience
- Interest in field work - often camping in remote areas and working long nights
- Able to work independently and also in a team
POSITION DETAILS
Human-Lion Conflict Mitigation & Research Program:
⇒ Oversee the annual lion population count by systematically observing every lion individual in the ecosystem, photographing it, and recording necessary data
⇒ Identify problem animals/conflict hotspots with proactive mitigation activities. Lead team with preventative measures including night patrols, mock hunts, and collaring of problem lions
⇒ Develop, manage, and train mobile conflict mitigation teams by ensuring they achieve their goals.
Procure equipment to improve effectiveness of monitoring and conflict teams
⇒ Work closely with Lion Guardians Senior Management Team to adapt, implement, and measure various conflictapproaches (strategies, priorities, tactics to reduce human-lion/wildlife conflict)
⇒ Innovation/testing of new tools to improve efforts for lion monitoring and conflict mitigation
⇒ Ensure data collection and databases are accurate, oversee data management and training
⇒ Write Quarterly, bi-annual, and annual reports for communications and stakeholders
⇒ Participate and facilitate (as needed) in General Team Meetings and strategy development
Management and Administration:
⇒ Manage staff members within department, performance management, scheduling leave
⇒ Budget holder for Lion Monitoring/Conflict Mitigation
⇒ Develop and ensure SOP’s are relevant, being followed and staff are trained
Governance and Leadership:
⇒ Local & National Stakeholders
- Reporting to and collaborating with KWS both in meetings and on the ground work
- Key liaison for stakeholder communications/engagement, facilitating clear and timely exchanges of information, lead proactive and reactive conflict mitigation efforts
IF INTERESTED, SEND YOUR CV TOGETHER WITH A COVER LETTER BEFORE 10TH JULY, 2024 TO: