Job Description

The African Parks Conservation Technology Engineer is a head-office based position, responsible for supporting conservation technology in all AP Parks.
The engineer's role will be to deploy new technologies, and to consolidate technology metrics for head office. New technologies have to be looked at from the design phase through to the practicality and scalable deployments. Projects will need to be setup to manage resources and ensure high quality deliverables. For day-to-day technology use, different technology metrics will have to be monitors and reported on to ensure compliance and efficiency.
The position requires an inter-disciplinary team player that can work with people from various AP departments as well as regional and park colleagues.
Technical
Research, evaluate and deploy IoT devices to benefit conservation operations. These technologies have to be practical and integrate into existing systems.
Maintain centralized technology systems and integrations (data pipelines, Azure systems including Linux machines, LoRa, Unifi, Ubiquiti, Spidertracks, WPS, Camera Trap management, Weather Station data pipelines) to support conservation technology sensors in the field.
Research and deploy IoT devices to benefit conservation and operations.
Technical Support on the following systems:
Microsoft Azure environment
LoRa server and pipelines
Dockers and related software suites
Network managing and monitoring tools (e.g. Unifi, Ubiquiti, PRTG)
EarthRanger integrations, flow and reporting
Projects
Plan and execute park technology projects. This includes trials for new technology, as well as upgrade projects, etc. This will require project management skills, and a meticulous nature. Projects could include IoT devices, as well as drones for conservation, operations optimization, etc.
Compliance and Audits
Assist parks with technology audits and consolidate metrics at a head office level.
Manage, optimize and extract data from the network and technology monitoring tools (VRM, UISP, PRTG, etc.)
The candidate will be required to write and verify training material, quality and compliance documentation, and technology reports. Ensure monthly checklists and reports are submitted and stored centrally, and produce the dashboards for HO reporting. These reports have to be provided regularly and on time.
Stakeholder Engagement
Work with stakeholders to establish priorities for CT
Training and assessments of regional and park technology personnel on conservation technology.
Creating, maintaining and updating training material and admin Toolkit based on SOPs and best practices.
Represent AP at international conferences
Direct Stakeholders
Conservation Technology Manager
Regional Technology Managers
Park Technology Officers -Training, support and mentorship.
Law Enforcement Team
Business Intelligence Team
Geospatial department
Community department
Indirect stakeholders
Technology users
Regional management
Park management
Peripheral Technology suppliers and services
Audit and risk team

• A passion for nature and conservation
• A Degree in engineering, computer science, or equivalent experience from a relevant background
• At least 5 years' technical (primarily software) experience
• Demonstrable programming skills in Python and other languages
• Microsoft Azure experience
• Linux experience
• Demonstrable experience in technology hardware, specifically IoT devices
• Demonstrable experience in managing networks
• Project Management skills
• Good report-writing skills

• Good communication skills
• Strong personal integrity and dependability
• Fluent in the English language (French is advantageous)
• Experience working in remote environments
• Willing to travel to remote areas for work
• A valid passport and willingness to travel to parks for at least one week per month or an equivalent thereof over multiple months. This may vary.
• Physically fit and able to be in the field.
• Team player and hands-on problem-solving mentality
• Willingness to learn and grow
• Valid Driver's License

Skills Required