Job Description

The IWC Secretariat is seeking candidates for the position of Vessel Strikes and Strandings Data Manager to contribute to the development of a coherent approach to reporting, databases and data management across the IWC and its work programmes, enhancing both the usability of IWC data holdings and sharing of this data with other organisations.

The successful applicant will have a university degree or equivalent professional experience. They will have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders from many fields and diverse cultural backgrounds, and to work in a politically sensitive environment. The postholder will have demonstrable professional experience in data management and the management of databases in additional to awareness of marine conservation issues and threats to cetaceans. Fluent in English and competence in another working language of the Commission (French or Spanish) would be advantageous.

This post is advertised as a Full-Time position (37.5 hours per week) for a fixed-term until 31 December 2026. You will be based at the IWC Secretariat Headquarters in Impington, Cambridge, UK. Overseas applications are encouraged, and the Secretariat will support the successful candidate in obtaining a UK work visa where necessary. Any costs incurred in moving to the UK would be the responsibility of the employee, but some relocation reimbursement may be available.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Systematic outreach to data providers (e.g. countries, regional authorities, shipping sector, and researchers) to help obtain and secure records for entry to the database and management of the data entry. Ensuring data from IWC National Progress reports is assessed and entered where appropriate.

Follow up on any reports that are submitted to the database or identified through the media or other sources in order to ensure that as much information as possible is gathered from each incident

Follow up with holders of other large datasets to develop ways that these can be included in the IWC database and reviewed where necessary.

Liaise with the Vessel Strike Data Review Group of the Scientific Committee to review new information (This group includes members with wide experience of different aspects of the vessel strike issue and is tasked with providing expert advice and support to the coordinator).

Work with the Chair and expert panel of the Vessel Strikes Standing Working Group to help progress the Vessel Strikes workplan.

Respond to requests for data within the database by running queries to select the relevant data and providing appropriate supporting documentation.

Promote access to information in the database including updating the website with the most recent data, regular publication of routine summary statistics of vessel strikes, updating database documentation and maintaining a compendium of relevant papers and reports of Vessel strikes issues.

Increase accessibility of the database including undertaking a review of the database to understand how it can be used and improved to help meet the IWC Vessel Strikes Strategic Plan.

Liaise with international organisations and experts to identify sources of existing data available on cetacean strandings and key gaps with opportunities to address them.

Scope the need and feasibility for/of a global repository of strandings and/or necropsy data in liaison with the IWC Strandings Expert Panel and other interested groups.

Help to scope and initiate delivery of other priorities emerging from the Strandings Initiative Workplan related to data collation and use.

Enhance synergies across IWC work programmes (including the two work programmes above) to streamline data reporting validation and curation.

Work with the Secretariat IT team to increase reporting through IWC National progress and other reports, reducing reporting burden and ensure the most useful data is acquired for identifying threats to cetacean species

Develop high level data analyses and visualisation methods such as data dashboard and online mapping services to promote data holdings and reports from IWC member countries to a wide audience.

Increase IWC capacity (e.g. through involving student projects) in historic data analysis and develop appropriate relationships with research institutions and universities.

Any other tasks that may be required by the organisation that are commensurate with the job role.

Person Specification

University degree or equivalent.

Excellent communication skills, the ability to work with diverse teams and to develop strong partnerships.

Ability to follow complex leads to engage with people who may have information.

Political awareness and the ability to work in a diverse and politically sensitive environment.

Ability to analyse data to identify trends, communicate meaningful "stories" from the data and to help focus priorities in IWC threat mitigation work.

Ability to manage data, design database systems and run database queries.

Demonstrated knowledge of data management, data integration, and database development techniques.

Good awareness of marine conservation issues and threats to cetaceans, and challenges facing data collection in this area.

Working knowledge of SQL or other database languages.

Awareness of data protection legislation and data security protocols/practices.

Demonstrable experience of leading the management and development of a dataset/database.

Experience of applying data visualisation and mapping techniques.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 18 months

Pay: 26,330.00-29,532.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Enhanced maternity leave Flexitime Free parking Life insurance On-site parking Private medical insurance
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Cambridge, CB24 9ZR

Application deadline: 16/05/2025