TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. It actively monitors and investigates wildlife trade and provides information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies and programmes. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). TRAFFIC is an international network which is organised into six regional hubs.

The Wildlife Trade Analyst-Africa will be responsible for the accurate input of wildlife trade data into TRAFFIC’s database, a task that will require accurate referencing and evaluation. Data entered will enable the production of informative outputs on wildlife trade dynamics and will be developed in collaboration with other TRAFFIC staff. Additional research will be required to determine whether the trade data is accurate and adequately referenced. Wildlife trade dynamic reports will be produced for circulation to conservation practitioners including those responsible for regulation of the trade, for action and follow up.

DUTIES

1. To systematically compile existing data on wildlife trade dynamics, including market surveys, seizures, arrests, convictions, and any other information concerning the legal, illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade and conduct additional research to ensure the correct referencing of data. Data will need to be entered in a scientific format for ease of analysis and according to the standard operating procedures that TRAFFIC uses.

2. To ensure that, where possible, all information is accurately geocoded to enable mapping of the wildlife trade at a later stage.

3. To analyse the data and prepare reports for conservation practitioners and government authorities responsible for wildlife trade regulation and conservation action.

4. To monitor and review the input of data by staff, interns and volunteers.

5. To support the training of wildlife law enforcement and other relevant government officials on data capture and analysis.

6. To carry out routine audits and gap assessments to improve targeting of further data collection efforts.

7. To develop formal and informal partnerships with conservation partners to improve the collection of data relevant to understanding wildlife trade dynamics.

8. To raise awareness, in close collaboration with the communications team, of the extent and impacts of wildlife crime on the conservation of threatened species with key partners, stakeholders and community audiences.

9. In close collaboration with project managers, produce assessments on species in trade that will help determine and guide future priorities for combating illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade.

10. Produce regular reports of the current wildlife trade situation at national and regional levels and share with relevant partners and organisations as well as TRAFFIC and WWF colleagues.

11. Support the production of articles for publication in the TRAFFIC Bulletin on the trends and implications of illegal and unstainable wildlife trade.