Principal Terrestrial Ecology Spclst. - 12 month contract

Position Summary

In this leadership role you will help drive forward our delivery of ecological consultancy, both in leading fieldwork on baseline assessments to inform research or impact assessment. You’ll manage your own projects from inception to completion, have responsibility for people and larger/more complex project management, including technical, commercial and business development activities. The role will be a combination of fieldwork and report writing.

This role requires an in-depth knowledge of one of the terrestrial groups (e.g., botany, habitats, mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.) or a holistic understanding of desert ecosystems ecology. Your ecological knowledge, integrity and attention to detail will allow you to deliver high level surveys, assessments and reporting. You will be a mentor and manager to early career ecologists and become a key part of our innovative and vibrant team.

Major Responsibilities

• Be responsible for designing and implementing biology and ecology-related components of Environmental, Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) with particular attention to biodiversity and environmental impact management (e.g., desktop studies, baseline planning and execution, integration with other components of the ESIA, reports editing, etc.).

• Conducting and leading terrestrial ecology field work as well as knowledge and experience in the taxonomic identification of plants/animals and implementation of field protocols.

• Undertake environment-related desk-based research and fieldwork to collect, analyze and interpret data to determine their validity, quality and significance.

• Set the scope, coordinate, check and review the work of others in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team on a wide range of development and infrastructure projects.

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• Competently undertake own work to an excellent standard, on time and to budget.

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• Senior review of reports, proposals and supervise junior colleagues.

• Business development, maintaining and developing existing clients as well as securing new opportunities.

Personal Requirements

Competencies

• Minimum of 10 years previous professional work experience on ecology studies, conservation management and biodiversity impact assessments.

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• Conducting and leading terrestrial ecology field work as well as knowledge and experience in the taxonomic identification of plants/animals and implementation of field protocols.

• Undertake environment-related desk-based research and fieldwork to collect, analyze and interpret data to determine their validity, quality and significance.

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• Specification, preparation and coordination of fee proposals for ecological work.

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• Excellent report writing.​​​​​​​

• Chartered membership of a professional body (or experience to obtain chartership). ​​​​​​​

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• Good communication skills with a wide variety of audiences and ability to work in a diverse and multidisciplinary team.

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• Experience and ability to work on several projects simultaneously under time pressure.

Qualifications

• BSc or similar in Environment/Zoology/Botany/Ecology/Conservation or other relevant subject.

Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in a similar role in an environmental consultancy, NGO or business.

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• Experience in leading/managing project teams, and liaising with clients and stakeholders.

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• Regional experience preferred, with experience in Saudi Arabia advantageous.

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• Ability to speak and write Arabic would be advantageous.