Job Title: Ecological Data Manager
Supervisor: Head of Marine Ecology Programmes.
Duty station: Unguja, Zanzibar
Country: Tanzania
Start date: As soon as possible
Context/Background
Mwambao Coastal Community Network was established in 2010 to help communities in Tanzania’s coastal areas develop strong and effective local resource management systems that support livelihoods and sustain marine ecosystems. Mwambao works to empower local communities and enable them to learn from each other through a community-based network spanning different coastal areas and communities. This network structure fosters learning as well as collective action on shared interests such
as influencing policy. Mwambao’s work encompasses areas in Tanga and in Zanzibar (both Unguja and Pemba).
Mwambao has emerged as a leading actor in facilitating community-based marine management in Zanzibar as well as north-eastern Tanzania working with a number of key international partners including TNC, WCS, IIED, and GIZ. Mwambao takes a rights-based approach to implementing measures that improve reef ecosystem health, improve sustainability of key fisheries, improve local wellbeing through inclusion of fishers into their fishing ground management and provide opportunities to engage in other livelihood activities.
Mwambao is seeking an experienced Ecological Data Manager to support the effective implementation, monitoring, and reporting of ecological data (fisheries, coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove data) across several grant funded projects.
Overview of the role
The Ecological Data Manager (EDM) is responsible for managing the collection and analysis of biological data from Mwambao field activities, including fisheries catch data (reef fish and octopus), subtidal reef and seagrass survey data, and mangrove monitoring data. They must become familiar with current Mwambao methodologies for ecological surveys, and be able to design and review best practices and literature to design new methods where possible.
The EDM will work with field teams to ensure appropriate protocols are used in collecting data, ensure data is entered promptly in Mwambao databases, provide quality control of data, and conduct data analysis and graphing for donor and stakeholder reports. The EDM will build capacity of both coastal communities and Mwambao staff in ecological data collection. The EDM will participate in and/or lead ecological and fisheries surveys and community data sharing sessions across Unguja, Pemba, and Tanga.
The EDM will support the Head of Marine Ecology in developing log frames for ecological work (monitoring, restoration, and training) across several grants on an annual and monthly basis. They will work with staff to ensure that work is conducted in a timely manner and troubleshoot scheduling issues as they arise. They will support the development of grant proposals for new funding, will contribute to writing donor reports, and will review reports written by field teams.
The EDM will report to the Head of Marine Ecology, and will collaborate closely with the Mwambao Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning team. The EDM will supervise a data analyst, a fisheries data manager, fisheries data coordinators and fisheries data recorders.
The ecological data manager should have proficiency in Microsoft Office and in statistical analysis and data summaries using open-source programming language (e.g R or Python). They should be able to carry out graphing, data summaries, and data analysis and interpretation of results. They should have strong writing skills. The ideal candidate must be able to swim and snorkel. SCUBA experience, project management experience, and experience working with communities are desirable.
Roles and responsibilities
The role of the ecological data manager is to ensure the timely and accurate collection, organization, and analysis of biological data from Mwambao field activities, in order to support effective ecological management and conservation of marine resources. In addition, the EDM works with the Head of Marine Ecology to ensure donor deliverables are completed on time and with clearly written reports.
Technical
- Maintain a repository of field methods used across coral reef, mangrove, and fisheries work across Mwambao sites (Unguja, Pemba, and Tanga)
- Develop digital forms for data entry using Mwambao’s data systems for marine ecological and fisheries data
- Conduct quality control on data to ensure that all team data is stored in the appropriate systems and that data entry has been validated
- Ensure that all data collected by the team is entered within 1 week of field activities
- Maintain maps of team activities and conservation areas
- Conduct statistical analyses of change in marine ecosystems and fisheries
- Summarize in-water monitoring and mangrove data for presentations/reports,
- Conduct community data feedback and community training sessions across Unguja, Pemba, and Tanga
- Supervise community fisheries data collection (reef fish and octopus) and supervise the Data Officers
- Participate in and occasionally lead data collection on mangrove, coral reef, and fisheries team, including snorkel and SCUBA surveys
- Liaison with the Mwambao monitoring, evaluation, and learning team to ensure tracking of Mwambao indicators and donor project indicators
- Support the Head of Marine Ecology in managing team schedules and administrative logistics Institutional Development
- As required and in line with approved strategic plans, contribute to and support the development of funding proposals, ensuring the accuracy and appropriateness of work planned in Tanzania Budgeting and Reporting
- Contribute to the production of annual work-plans and budgets, in line with annual project budgets and anticipated outcomes
- Ensure full compliance with Mwambao / MCCC statements, protocols, policies and procedures, ensuring work is done to high quality and within fund budgets
Other
- Undertake regular travel to project sites, Tanga region, Zanzibar (Unguja and Pemba), relevant conferences and meetings as required
- Support a culture of excellent communication, sharing of knowledge, lessons learnt and best practice and collaboration between project staff, wider Mwambao team members, supporting partners and other stakeholders as appropriate
- Undertake any other tasks commensurate with the position that may be requested by Mwambao leadership or supervisor
Person Specification
Required Qualifications & Skills
- A BSc and (preferably an MSc or higher) in an Ecological, Biological Science, or data related subject
- Experience in data collection, management, and analysis within marine ecosystems or fisheries (experience in Tanzania would be an advantage)
- Experience in various survey methods used in nearshore marine ecosystems
- High-level proficiency in oral and written Kiswahili and English
- Strong swimming and snorkeling ability
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Ability to conduct statistical analysis and graphing of data using open-source programming language (e.g. R or Python)
- Strong writing skills including writing scientific reports
- Ability to read and synthesize scientific papers
- Identification of marine organisms (including coral reef, seagrass, or mangrove species)
- 2+ years of experience in project management
- Supervisory, mentoring, and training experience
- Attention to detail, ability to multi-task, ability to work both independently and as a part of team
Desired Skills
- Knowledge of mapping tools (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS)
- SCUBA diving certification and experience
- 2+ years prior work experience with an NGO or research institution
- Experience engaging with and building capacity of coastal communities and artisanal fisheries
- Experience in grant writing and donor reporting
To apply for this post, please use this link. Make sure to include a CV (including names of three references with emails and phone numbers) and a 1-2 page cover letter by May 30th, 2026, by 23H59.
The cover letter should include why you are interested in this position with MWAMBAO and emphasize how your skills and experience match those required for the job. Only candidates who meet the requirements for this position will be contacted for an interview.
More information about MWAMBAO/MCCC can be found here.
Find out more here.