An opportunity exists within Conservation South Luangwa (CSL), based in Mfuwe, Zambia for a well-organized, highly motivated, and independent person to join the team as Assistant SMART Technician.

CSL has been in existence for 20 years and has built strong partnerships with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) in protected area management and counter-poaching initiatives across the Luangwa Valley. CSL practices a multi-faceted approach to wildlife resource management and protection, working in collaboration with DNPW and their respective Community Resource Boards (CRBs) to implement ‘frontline’ protection and counter trade/trafficking methods such as anti-poaching foot patrols, aerial surveillance, and tracking, while engaging with their respective communities. CSL provides refresher training of law enforcement officers, equipment, uniforms, vehicles, fuel and maintenance, radio networks, IT and databases, infrastructure development, and wildlife crime detection and tracking canine units to support intelligence-led operations across the ecosystem. CSL established a Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) team in 2007, with community-based field officers. Their aim is to use participatory, strategic, and applied approaches towards HWC mitigation techniques which hold a high potential in decreasing damages by wildlife and to improve the relationship between local communities, wildlife managers and conservation agencies.

Position Title: Assistant SMART Technician

Location: Mfuwe, adjacent to South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Reports to: SMART Coordinator / CEO

Purpose of the Job

CSL has and continues to invest significantly in the protected area management of the South Luangwa ecosystem. In recent years, CSL has increased it data capture and analysis capability to support DNPW and CSL’s law enforcement planning and implementation. CSL now requires as an Assistant SMART Technician to support this work.

The primary purpose of this role will be to:

Coordinate patrol team debriefings, data transfers, and electronic equipment management as part of the combined CSL/DNPW SMART law enforcement data collection and analysis program in South Luangwa National Park.

Key Responsibilities:

Under the guidance and supervision of the CSL SMART Coordinator:

1.     Conduct SMART patrol debriefs in conjunction with DNPW personnel.

2.     Edit and fix SMART data as and when errors arise.

3.     Provide additional training and guidance for patrol team members who operate SMART Mobile devices, GPS units, digital radios, and other SMART-related equipment.

4.     Keep track of CSL-supplied equipment including GPS devices, digital radios, and SMART devices and power sources through regular inventories and check-out forms.

5.     Work closely with the CSL SMART Coordinator, Control Room Operators, and others at DNPW and CSL to achieve work goals.

Experience and Skills Required:

Degree or Diploma in conservation biology, natural resources, computer sciences or similar.

Fantastic computer skills, with an extended knowledge in Microsoft WORD and EXCEL.

-Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Proven ability to work as part of a team.

Passion for and interest in wildlife conservation and protected area management.

Ability to travel to remote camps and work in rough conditions for occasional training events.

Desirable Criteria:

Prior experience using mapping software such as Google Earth, GIS

Data management skills (Microsoft excel and SMART etc.)