GIS Technician

GIS Technician, Spekboom Restoration Project

Technical and Carbon Department

Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape  

Reports to: Data and GIS Lead

Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure that will revitalise landscapes, combat climate change, and promote sustainable agriculture? Join NatCarbon Africa: a mission-driven, proudly African organisation dedicated to high-quality implementation of large-scale carbon, climate, and biodiversity projects. We embrace the power of innovative technology to enhance project execution. Community engagement lies at the heart of our projects, driven by a genuine commitment to meaningful and inclusive participation and co-benefits, such as biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic upliftment. 

NatCarbon Africa seeks a GIS Technician in the Technical and Carbon Department for the large-scale Spekboom Restoration Project in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.

With our partner, Imperative Global, our aim is to restore up to 100,000 hectares of degraded subtropical thicket biome. The Project entails planting Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) on privately owned land to improve ecosystem functioning and agricultural productivity over time, promote biodiversity, improve soil filtration, enhance water storage capabilities, and to reduce soil erosion. The Project is estimated to permanently store large quantities of Carbon Dioxide over the Project life, thus positively contributing towards climate change mitigation.

Position Summary: 

The GIS Technician will play a critical role in the planning, execution, and monitoring of restoration efforts. The post holder will collaborate with the Technical and Carbon Team and Operations and Projects Team, applying spatial analysis and mapping to inform project strategies and outcomes. 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

Spatial Data Management:

• Collect, organise, and manage spatial datasets related to the project, ensuring data accuracy and accessibility. 

Mapping and Visualisation:

• Produce high-quality maps and web-based visualisations for project planning, monitoring, and reporting.

Site Assessment and Planning:

• Assist in identifying and mapping suitable restoration sites using GIS analysis. 

Field Data Integration:

• Work with field teams to collect and incorporate spatial data into project databases. 

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Develop and manage GIS workflows to support vegetation monitoring, biomass assessments, and other project metrics. Prepare GIS-related outputs and contribute to technical reports and presentations for stakeholders. 

Tool Development and Innovation:

• Create and optimise GIS tools and templates to streamline spatial analysis and data management processes. 

General: 

• Embrace a culture of continuous learning by adapting to evolving job responsibilities, driven by NatCarbon Africa’s commitment to innovation, personal growth, and shifting operational priorities.

• Some travel within the Eastern and Western Cape may be required, including to remote locations, with occasional weekend or holiday work to accommodate schedules. Work hours may be irregular.

• This outline of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. The employer reserves the right to assign additional duties or responsibilities at any time, provided they are reasonably aligned with the scope of the role or necessitated by operational requirements. The functions and responsibilities detailed within this job description may be subject to modification at the employer’s discretion, based on evolving operational requirements, while remaining consistent with the parameters of the employee’s position 

Skills: 

• Strong experience in geodatabase management, metadata standards, and data integration workflows.


• Proficiency in handling GPS devices and other spatial data collection tools. Familiarity with Python or R for spatial data analysis is a plus. 

• Ability to present complex spatial data effectively in reports, maps, and presentations for diverse stakeholders. 

• A proactive and resourceful approach to solving spatial and technical challenges. 

• Commitment to environmental restoration and sustainable development goals. 

Qualifications: 

• A minimum of an honour’s degree in Geography, GIS, Environmental Science, or a related field (or should be able to show significant GIS proficiency).


• Advanced qualifications are an advantage. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 5 to 7 years of professional GIS experience, preferably in environmental restoration, forestry, natural resource management, or a similar field. 

• Advanced proficiency in GIS software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or equivalent. 


• Experience in web-based GIS (i.e ArcGISOnline)

You will join a great team! We are:

• From diverse locations and backgrounds, but all experts in our respective fields. We bring together a wide range of cross-sector experiences, ideas, and skills.


• Relentless in our pursuit of excellence and innovation, always pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo. But it is not all work for us – we also believe in celebrating our successes, recognising individual contributions, and taking time to support each other’s growth and development.


• At our core, explorers, constantly learning, evolving, and seeking new ways to deliver impactful solutions. We are not afraid to dream big, take risks, and step out of our comfort zones because we know that together, we can achieve great things.

Compensation

To help us attract and retain top talent, NatCarbon Africa pays employees competitively to the market, depending on experience. Salary is one component of NatCarbon Africa’s total compensation package which also includes health care and life insurance, contributions to each employee’s retirement plan, paid time off and funds to support professional development. We will recognise employees who go beyond expected performance with salary increases and/or promotions.

In return, we expect each employee to, at a minimum:

• Meet expectations in terms of work effort and performance.


• Take the initiative to build the skills and knowledge needed to do their job effectively; and


• Embody the values of NatCarbon Africa.

How to Apply

To apply, please send us the following:

• Cover letter (not to exceed one page).


• Resume/CV (not to exceed three pages).

Please add app.bamboohr.com to your contact list to ensure you receive emails from us

NatCarbon Africa provides equal opportunity for all job applicants and employees and is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination.

Only applications received online via the NatCarbon website or LinkedIn Page will be considered