DUTY STATION
Home-based, Remote
COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
To be determined NATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Variable (depending on needs of Department/Division)
65 Days/ 4 months
Organizational Unit
The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) - Global Ecosystems Atlas WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age after 1 January 2014 is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) promotes equitable access to Earth observations for environmental decisions. The Global Ecosystems Atlas (Atlas) is a GEO initiative delivering spatial data on ecosystems to support monitoring and reporting.
To aid nations lacking ecosystem maps, the Atlas provides capacity building and field data collection aligned with the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology (GET). GEO seeks a Field Operations Lead to support the Field Science Lead in collecting ecosystem training data in two countries in mid-2025. This role involves managing logistics, risk, and safety across two 25โ30-day field deployments and assisting national ecosystem mapping efforts.
The incumbent will perform the following duties;
Pre-Deployment:
- Conduct a one-month desk study (15โ20 working days) to design risk management plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field data collection;
- Develop emergency management plans, including evacuation routes, medical support, and communication protocols;
- Ensure staff are trained and equipped with safety gear (e.g., first aid kits, radios, EPIRBs);
- Design a biosecurity plan adhering to best practices;
- Work with James Cook University (JCU) Global Ecosystem Lab (GEL), Field Science Lead, and local partners to plan and optimize fieldwork logistics;
- Source required field equipment in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
In the Field:
- Oversee safe and efficient travel between sample locations, adapting plans as needed;
- Support data collection and ensure adherence to safety procedures;
- Maintain and manage field equipment operations;
- Establish communication protocols for daily check-ins and safety monitoring.
Capacity Building:
- Train local partners (2โ3 days) to ensure robust data collection and ongoing quality standards;
- Attend workshops to support capacity-building efforts.
Quality Assurance:
- Assist the Field Science Lead in ensuring ethical, scientific, and technical data accuracy.
Project Management and Reporting:
- Conduct daily check-ins and document safety concerns, logistics, and emergency planning;
- Manage and document execution of SOPs, risk management, and biosecurity plans.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
1. Document logistical details, safety issues, biosecurity, emergency planning, and recommendations.
2. Provide a report on field equipment use and return.
3. Support the Field Science Lead in ensuring collected data and documents are submitted to Atlas and JCU GEL.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Masters degree or equivalent in Conservation, Ecology, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience
A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience planning, conducting and running conservation science projects, or related projects - in the field.
Proven practical experience in establishing and integrating robust risk management and safety protocols into fieldwork, across a range of nations with differing conditions and risk profiles. Supported by real world experience of resolving issues.
A minimum of 10 yearsโ experience in organizing and leading field teams in remote locations, with a proven track record of delivering conservation science / ecology field work at a high quality and cadence.
Proven experience leading teams in the wilderness/backcountry across multiple nations. Highly competent working alone or in teams in the wilderness (navigation, GPS use, experience travelling off-track) for extended deployments (months).
Broad field experience of deploying a wide range of ecology/conservation methods and running field science projects (e.g. abiotic, biotic, measurements such as acoustic, camera traps, mark-recapture, transects, tracking tunnels, etc.).
Experience in running, maintaining and operating field equipment at scale (e.g. 100 camera traps per deployment).
Experience with integrating robust biosecurity planning into field work programs.
Experience in engaging with local teams, managing multi-stakeholder projects, and conducting capacity-building initiatives across multiple nations.
Other requirements
Excellent knowledge of the logistics planning for conservation, ecology, or related field data collection, for teams, at scale across multiple nations (e.g. across a state, nation).
Excellent field craft, knowledge of how to operate remote field camps across a range of differing locations, navigating, remain safe and healthy for extended fieldwork. Supported by excellent first-hand knowledge of field first aid, field safety equipment, field risk management, their use, need and application (e.g. EPIRBs, radios).
Excellent practical knowledge of how to deploy field methodologies (e.g. setting up field sites, deploying audio recorders etc.) at scale.
Good understanding of GIS, (e.g. Esri, QGIS) both in field data collection and desktop studies.
A full driving license and competency driving offroad.
A high level of personal physical fitness.
Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills, with the ability to lead and deliver successfully in collaboration with different groups. Able to communicate well and build relationships to foster collaboration across diverse cultural and institutional contexts.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written). Knowledge of other official languages of WMO would be an advantage.
(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.) Additional Information:
Focal point email for additional information: jobs@geosec.org
Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system at https://erecruit.wmo.int/public.
Do not send your application via multiple routes. Only applicants in whom GEO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview. Date of issue of vacancy notice: