Technology and Earthranger Administrator, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve

Conservation Landscapes Programme - Mbale, Moroto

Department

Conservation Landscapes Programme

Employment Type

Full-Time

Minimum Experience

Mid-level

TECHNOLOGY AND EARTHRANGER ADMINISTRATOR JOB PROFILE

Department: Conservation Landscapes

Location: Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Uganda

Contract Type: Full-time two-year contract, renewable dependent on performance

Direct Reports: UWA Law Enforcement Staff / Monitoring unit / Operations

Reporting to: Pian Upe Reserve Manager

Rotation: 10 weeks on/3 weeks off

About Us

Space for Giants is an international conservation organisation, based in Africa, founded in 2011. Our mission is to protect the natural ecosystems on which Africa’s large wild animals depend, ensuring they are valued by local people. We currently work in 11 countries across Central, East, and Southern Africa, focusing on some of the most pressing challenges facing the conservation of megafauna today. We have three thematic pillars of work to achieve our mission, which are: 1) The protection and management of natural ecosystems and associated value creation for local citizens; 2) Combating the illegal wildlife trade; and 3) Promoting Human-Wildlife Coexistence. We pride ourselves on our highly collaborative approach with national governments, recognizing the importance of being relevant to elected leaders and their constituents, striving to ensure that our conservation work is aligned with their priorities. Grounded in world-class science, we bring high-quality technical expertise and experience to inform and deliver our conservation programmes, wherever we work. We also pride ourselves on being adaptable and nimble to respond quickly to emerging opportunities and evolving challenges in a very dynamic space. To read more, visit: www.spaceforgiants.org

Role Summary

This position supports the management of Earthranger and other conservation technology platforms at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. We are seeking a technically skilled individual with a strong ability to learn quickly, troubleshoot hardware/software systems, and mentor others in their use.

The ideal candidate will have a background in IT, field technology, or a related discipline, along with a willingness to work in a remote, low-connectivity environment. While prior experience in protected area technologies is beneficial, we value problem-solving aptitude, adaptability, and a passion for knowledge-sharing just as highly.

Key Responsibilities:

Ensure smooth operation of conservation technology (Earthranger, sensors, communications equipment, etc.).
Train, guide, and upskill reserve staff in using technical systems.
Support data collection, accuracy, and reporting for monitoring & evaluation (M&E).
Troubleshoot hardware, software, and connectivity challenges in a field setting.
Assist in maintaining field infrastructure and logistics for conservation operations.
Integration and data cleaning/warehousing for data processing.
Display data to be analyzed by operations-focused staff.
Learn quickly and share knowledge with other team members.

Job Description

Scope of Work:

1. Earth Ranger System Management & Optimization

Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve (PUWR) Earthranger instance to ensure seamless functionality.
Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Earthranger usage across field operations.
Integrate all trackable assets (vehicles, ranger patrols, wildlife collars, sensors, etc.) into Earthranger for real-time monitoring.
Program and update patrols, missions, and conservation activities in EarthRanger as required to comply with the UWA national system.

2. Training & Capacity Building

Conduct training sessions for PUWR staff on EarthRanger (web and mobile app), ensuring effective adoption and usage.
Provide ongoing technical mentorship to field personnel, improving their ability to utilize conservation tech independently.

3. Data Monitoring & Reporting

Monitor EarthRanger and connected systems to ensure maximum data utilization for law enforcement (LE), counter-poaching (CC), and human-wildlife conflict (HWC) operations.
Develop custom dashboards, automated reports, and analytics tools to support decision-making by management and stakeholders.

4. IT & Field Technology Support

Provide IT and communications (ICT) support for reserve operations, including hardware, software, and network troubleshooting.
Assess existing ICT infrastructure, identify gaps, and recommend upgrades or modifications to improve efficiency.
Assist in the maintenance and repair of field equipment (GPS devices, radios, cameras, sensors, etc.).

5. Additional Responsibilities

Perform any other relevant tasks as assigned by the Reserve Manager or Supervisor to support conservation technology and operations.

Person Specification

Key Skills:

Experience, Knowledge & Competencies

Essential Qualifications

Proficiency in EarthRanger and other conservation data management systems.
Demonstrated experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau) and geospatial software (ArcGIS).
Proven training & mentorship ability – Track record of effectively upskilling staff in technical systems.
Strong IT/ICT competency – Ability to troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues in remote environments.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) for reporting and documentation.
Excellent attention to detail and strong written English skills for clear communication and reporting.

Preferred Skills

Experience with field conservation technologies:
QGIS, SMART, DAS (Data Analysis and Security) systems
VHF radio systems, Wi-Fi mesh networks, and other remote communications protocols
GPS devices (e.g., Garmin) and VHF telemetry management

Prior work in protected areas or wildlife conservation with exposure to rugged, low-connectivity environments.

How to Apply

Please note that only online applications will be considered. If you meet the above qualifications, skills, and experience, please apply via the provided link.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

Thank You

Your application was submitted successfully

SPACE FOR GIANTS

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Technology and Earthranger Administrator, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve