Geographic Information System (GIS) Officer

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)—a global non-profit organization dedicated to conserving wildlife and wild lands—is recruiting a Geographic Information System (GIS) Officer for its Nigeria Country Program, based at the Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State. Reporting to the Project Leadership, this technical role involves managing spatial databases, processing patrol and ecological field data, conducting spatial analyses using ArcGIS/QGIS, producing mapping deliverables, and training field rangers on GPS and SMART conservation monitoring systems.

• Location: Yankari, Bauchi State (Field-based with travel to other field sites)

• Contract Type: Fixed Term (13 Months, renewable based on funding)

• Spatial Data Management: Support ranger and biomonitoring teams in GPS data collection; manage, validate, and maintain spatial databases containing species distribution, patrol coverage, and threat mapping layers.

• Mapping & Spatial Analysis: Produce spatial maps and conduct GIS analyses on patrol coverage, wildlife sightings, and illegal activities; integrate remote sensing data with field ground-truthing.

• Capacity Building & SMART Support: Train field staff and rangers on GPS navigation, data collection workflows, and SMART-based patrol monitoring tools; support data dashboard development.

• Reporting & Documentation: Prepare spatial data inputs for donor reports, technical briefs, and executive presentations; document GIS workflows and methodologies.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Geography, GIS, Environmental Science, or a related field (a Master’s degree is an advantage).

• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in GIS mapping and spatial database administration, preferably in conservation or natural resource management. Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) experience is an asset.

• Software & Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in ArcGIS, QGIS, GPS tools, remote sensing techniques, and SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) or similar systems.

• Languages & Field Readiness: Fluency in written and spoken English (local language knowledge is an advantage); willingness to live and work in remote field conditions at Yankari.