Job Description

MAINTENANCE NOTICE

Due to maintenance work, our HR Management System might be inaccessible on
Monday, 26 February 2024, from 11:00 to 12:00 CET (UTC+01:00)

Data and Information Support Assistant- SADC TWIX and Vikela Vacancy #: 6759
Unit: TRAFFIC Southern Africa
Organisation: TRAFFIC International (TRAFFIC)
Location: TRAFFIC - Southern Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Reporting to: SADC-TWIX Project Manager
Work percentage: 100%
Grade: A2
Expected start date: 01 April 2024
Type of contract: Fixed-term (12 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date: 10 March 2024

BACKGROUND

TRAFFIC is the leading non-governmental organization working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

TRAFFIC International is a charity and limited company registered in the UK. TRAFFIC's head office, based in Cambridge UK, provides worldwide leadership, coordination, cross-regional and corporate functions. TRAFFIC's local engagement is managed through programme offices operating under the auspices of the UK charity, with staff based in a hub office and at other strategic locations where necessary. Programme offices operate within a geographic area of responsibility focused on one or multiple countries where TRAFFIC aims to help deliver priority programme outcomes. TRAFFIC works in strategic alliance with IUCN and WWF on wildlife trade issues.

PROJECT 1

AUTOMATED X-RAY SCANNER IMAGE DETECTION TO COUNTER WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING (PROJECT VIKELA)

BACKGROUND

The illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products has grown exponentially in recent years, largely driven by corruption and weak governance, rising demand in Asia, growing wealth, and expanding trade routes. Wildlife traffickers exploit the increasing connectivity of global transportation and gaps in law enforcement to minimize the risk of detection and undermine the rule of law. High value wildlife products are primarily trafficked in air transport. This project will improve the detection of trafficked products at points of departure using automated detection technology. The key enforcement stakeholders in these countries regarding wildlife crime and anti-smuggling will either be directly engaged or coordinated with, depending on their roles and responsibilities. The overall goal of this project is to reduce the ability of criminal groups to carry out and profit from poaching and trafficking of protected animals and their body parts originating from or transiting Africa.

Project Vikela aims to demonstrate that the use of an algorithm in x-ray scanner systems for wildlife products can complement and improve the detection capacity of enforcement authorities without distracting from current security screening processes. The Project Vikela team have successfully piloted the algorithm and have established ways in which this new and powerful detection tool can be operationalized. Success was defined as getting this technology working with accuracy on the relevant equipment and ensuring a law enforcement response to react to detection.

PROJECT 2

SADC-TWIX

BACKGROUND

With funding from a global German funding initiative, the Partnership against Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade (Ivory and Rhino-Horn) in Africa and Asia, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), TRAFFIC is supporting the implementation of the Southern African Development Community Trade in Wildlife Information eXchange (SADC-TWIX). SADC-TWIX is an online tool developed to enhance international cooperation and information sharing between law enforcement and management authorities dealing with CITES issues in the region. It has two components: a mailing list and a website containing a database of seizures and various useful resources. The mandate for the establishment of the SADC- TWIX emanates from the SADC Law Enforcement and Anti-Poaching (LEAP) Strategy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Characteristic Duties for Project One:Vikela Solution

The successful candidate will assist the TRAFFIC Project Manager with carrying out effective operationalisation of the Vikela Solution. This position provides both administrative and data collection support to the project.

The Data and information Support person will work closely with the TRAFFIC team and various project partners.

Specific Duties:

All activities are to be carried out with guidance and support from project partners:

• Support data collection efforts for various airport scanners;
• Work with project partners to ensure that screening for wildlife products is conducted regularly and work with the developers to train/improve the software;
• Share data with law enforcement as and when necessary;
• Investigate an automated digital alert system;
• Investigate whether or not the existing virtual storage requires improvement;
• Investigate the potential application of various data portals as a platform for data sharing, data storage and alert generation;
• Assist the Project Manager with the organization of meetings with various partners at various airports in South Africa;
• Create and deliver presentations where necessary;
• Update the handbook as and when necessary;
• Attend workshops and meetings as and when necessary;
• Attend training on airport protocols and procedures;
• Provide information on the project as and when required from other TRAFFIC staff;
• Provide information for quarterly and annual reports;
• Any other duties relevant to the role.

Characteristic Duties for Project Two: SADC-TWIX Project

The successful candidate will assist the SADC-TWIX Project Manager with carrying out implementation and further development of SADC-TWIX.

This position provides both administrative and research data support to the project. The candidate will work closely with the SADC-TWIX Project Manager, the TRAFFIC Southern Africa (TSAf) Programme Co-ordinator and other project staff as required.

Specific Duties:

• Input existing data into the SADC-TWIX database of seizures
• Support the maintenance of the SADC-TWIX website
• Support the SADC-TWIX Project Manager with the organisation of SADC-TWIX activities
• Maintaining project files and archives, e,g, SADC-TWIX database of seizures, which includes liaising with wildlife enforcement agencies in relation to the transfer of their seizure data to the database, and the cleaning and uploading of seizure data;
• Coordinating with the Project Manager on day-to-day project administration including scheduling, facilitating and reporting back on calls, meetings and workshops as required;
• Supporting project monitoring and evaluation;
• Provision of information on the project as and when required from other TRAFFIC staff;
• Undertakes trips to SADC countries, as required;
• Any other duties relevant to the role.

REQUIREMENTS

• A university degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., data management, Information technology, environmental science, policy, business management, corporate responsibility) or related field.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including experience working with high level partners, as well as navigating multiple teams with competing priorities.
• How many years? Work experience relevant to nature conservation and/or illegal wildlife trade and transnational organised crime; or, have experience or evidence of a strong interest working in a conservation environment;
• Experience with or knowledge of applying artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to conservation would be advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience in data management and analysis.
• Demonstrated experienced in stakeholder management and coordination, preferably with private sector and government.
• Strong organizational and communication abilities, including attention to detail.
• Experience in navigating complex organizational and partnership structures.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent time keeping, reporting and coordination skills.
• Ability to work with remote teams and across time zones.
• Fluency in English; additional language skills (particularly French and/or Portuguese) desirable.
• Based in Pretoria, Johannesburg, or surrounds

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website:

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world's largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and some 15,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people's well-being.

International Union for Conservation of Nature