Geographical Information System

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.

A Geographical Information System (GIS) Officer is required to provide the essential GIS services and support for the implementation of the ZSL UKCCU/Packard Integrated Landscape Project in Indonesia. This project has, at the core of its activities, a large component of spatial planning/mapping and spatial data analysis which requires a high level of GIS competency. As a key outcome, the project seeks to reduce carbon emissions, improve integrated landscape management, as well as biodiversity conservation in Southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

• Lead in developing, consolidating, and standardising baseline spatial data relating to the Project-- including socio-economic, ecological, hydrological, land-use/land-cover change, High Carbon Stock (HCS), High Conservation Value (HCV), topographic, and satellite imagery data – towards producing high resolution field/baseline data necessary to monitor and manage the pilot landscape in South Sumatra. This process will also include coordinating the collection of primary data under the Project, analysing and consolidating it for further use by project managers; as well as gathering and analysing secondary data, landscape stakeholder data, and ‘community mapping’ of natural resources.
• Lead in securing GIS data from Project partners e.g. maps of concessions, smallholders, and mill sites from oil palm growers.
• Lead in overseeing and advising on ground-truthing surveys undertaken by the ZSL Indonesia team (current remote sensing data lacks ground-truthing) and also coordinating participatory mapping.
• Lead in developing land-use/land-cover change modelling, habitat suitability modelling, and hydrological modelling.
• Produce thematic maps relating to project needs.
• Using ZSL Indonesia’s central GIS database, provide the necessary technical and administrative support to Project staff with regards to meeting project planning and reporting requirements, including donor and project partner reports.
• Ensure that spatial data of sufficient coverage and quality are available to support targeting and implementation of the Project’s palm oil strategy, including attention to “legacy” issues.
• Assist with the training of large groups of internal and external participants on the use of various GIS, Global Positioning System (GPS) and data collection processing and analysis tools. 
• Provide coordination support and technical assistance in the implementation of the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) across the project pilot landscape, working with landscape stakeholders including Government and oil palm company management authorities.
• Other general project-related duties as and when required.

The successful candidate must have an undergraduate and preferably a Masters level degree in geography, forestry or a related subject. The candidate will ideally have prior experience in using GIS programmes to store and analyse spatial data, as well as in using DEM generation for hydrological modelling and ecological analysis. We are looking for someone who is self-motivated and who possesses excellent communication skills as well as an eye for detail. A solid understanding of current conservation issues in Asia would be advantageous. Previous experience using Erdas Imagine would be an advantage.

Please note: The position is a full-time, 1 year fixed-term contract with the view of it being extended a further 1 year dependant on project funding. The post-holder will report to the Head of Asia Programmes and the Project Director in Indonesia.

For a full job description please click here.

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button below. If you have any queries regarding these positions or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources at hr@zsl.org.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 10^th July 2016

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.