General description and purpose:
This new post is being created to assist in the management and analysis of data for BirdLife?s Global Seabird Programme. In particular, the post-holder will help to analyse the data held in the Global Procellariiform Tracking Database as a contribution towards the identification of high seas marine Important Bird Areas worldwide. The resulting seabird ?hotspots? will be used to inform the identification of sites of global significance in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity?s target of establishing a comprehensive marine protected area network by 2012. The post-holder will also assist in the collation, management, development, analysis and output of data to support BirdLife?s ongoing work on a range of marine issues. A key initial function is to undertake the preparatory work to generate inputs into scientific workshops scheduled for July and September 2009.

Length of post:
This is a full-time six month contract, starting at the beginning of April with possibility for extension, subject to funding, to support BirdLife?s preparation and input into the CBD Conference of Parties in October 2010.

Location:
BirdLife Secretariat, Cambridge, UK

Working relationships:

Internal:
- Work within the Science Division and closely with the Information Management Division at the BirdLife Secretariat, reporting to the Marine IBA Officer.
- Support and assist the staff in BirdLife?s Global Seabird Programme.

External:
- Liaise with data owners, as necessary, over management and analysis of data.

- Liaise with key contacts within BirdLife Partners as instructed.

Main duties:

Overall
- Work closely with staff at the BirdLife Secretariat and in the Global Seabird Programme (1) to prepare BirdLife?s input into scientific workshops on the identification of areas of global importance for seabirds on the high seas and (2) to provide general technical support to BirdLife?s work on marine issues.

Specific
- Undertake detailed analyses of seabird remote tracking data, involving use of outputs from a wide variety of tracking technologies.
- Assist in the development and application of standardised criteria for the identification of high seas Important Bird Areas
- Support the general management and development of the Global Procellariiform Tracking Database, assist with the incorporation of new data and respond to requests for use of the data
- Identify and document new sources of tracking information via literature reviews
- Prepare maps, reports and presentations to demonstrate and illustrate the outputs of analyses
- Assist in the development of processes and standards for boundary delineation for marine IBAs (high seas and breeding colony seaward extensions) and undertake their digitisation.

Essential skills:
- Proficient in ArcGIS 8.x or 9.x, including Spatial Analyst
- Experience with relational databases ? creating, maintaining, querying etc. Preferably Microsoft Access and MySQL
- Ability to undertake analyses and write up methodologies and results in presentations, reports and scientific papers etc.
- Methodical and meticulous, and able to work on several projects at once, often under pressure
- An ability to work well with people from varied backgrounds and a sensitivity to cultural and professional differences
- Enjoys working as part of a small focused team

Desirable skills:
- Experience in programming using ArcObjects and/or Visual Basic an advantage
- Previous experience with animal tracking data and albatrosses/petrels an advantage
- An interest in conservation / policy issues, particularly in the marine environment.
- A knowledge of seabirds

Salary:
£17,000 - £20,000 per annum

Contact:

Interested applicants should send a CV and covering letter to Sue Patterson, PA to the Director of Science Policy and Information, at the following email address susan.patterson@birdlife.org by 27th February 2009. Interviews will be held during the week of the 16th March with a potential start date of the beginning of April.