Scientific & Data Officer – Agriculture – Sarah Baartman District, Eastern Cape

Agricruitment Limited; East London; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

An ecological restoration company is seeking a Scientific and Data Officer in East London, South Africa. The ideal candidate will manage ecological data collection and analysis, ensuring compliance with carbon standards. Responsibilities include overseeing monitoring systems, database management, and coordination of field teams. Candidates should have a degree in a related field and proficiency in analytical software such as R or Python. The role may require travel to restoration sites.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years' experience in ecological monitoring, carbon accounting, or environmental data management.
• Valid driver's licence (Code B/EB).
• Familiarity with carbon standards (Verra VCS/CCB) or ecosystem restoration projects is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain the project's Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system.
• Oversee biomass and soil sampling schedules and vegetation monitoring.
• Compile technical reports and summaries for verification reports.

Skills

Analytical abilities

Problem-solving abilities

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Data management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, or Data Science

Tools

R

Python

QGIS

Arc GIS

Job description

My Client is a South African ecological restoration company leading one of Africa's largest land restoration programmes — replanting degraded Subtropical Thicket with spekboom (Portulacaria afra) across , hectares in the Sarah Baartman District. The initiative aims to restore ecosystem function, sequester atmospheric carbon, and generate high‑integrity carbon credits under the Verra VCS and CCB Standards. The project integrates rigorous ecological science with advanced monitoring technologies — including soil and biomass sampling, remote sensing, and GIS analysis — to ensure credible, transparent, and verifiable reporting aligned with international standards.

Position Overview

The Scientific and Data Officer supports the project's technical, ecological, and carbon monitoring systems. The role ensures accurate, traceable, and Verra‑compliant data collection, management, and analysis across biophysical and socio‑ecological indicators. The Officer will coordinate field monitoring teams, manage databases and GIS layers, and assist with model calibration, reporting, and external verification processes.

What You'll Do

• Implement and maintain the project's Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system in line with Verra VM**** requirements.
• Oversee permanent sample plots, biomass and soil sampling schedules, and vegetation monitoring.
• Coordinate laboratory analyses and maintain full chain‑of‑custody for all samples.
• Design and analyse field trials, restoration experiments, and remote‑sensing validations.
• Compile technical reports and summaries for PDDs, verification reports, and research publications.
• Develop and manage structured databases for ecological, carbon, and socio‑economic data.
• Implement quality assurance and control (QA/QC) procedures to ensure data integrity and traceability.
• Process and analyse satellite and drone imagery (Sentinel‑2, Landsat) for NDVI, canopy cover, and vegetation recovery.
• Support spatial delineation of Project Areas, Leakage Zones, and Reference Regions according to Verra methodology.
• Integrate spatial data with field inventories to support growth model calibration.
• Assist in carbon stock estimation and greenhouse gas (GHG) removal calculations using allometric equations and soil carbon models.
• Maintain transparent documentation of model assumptions, inputs, and emission factors.
• Contribute to the preparation of Verra monitoring and verification submissions.
• Train field teams on accurate sampling, GPS use, and data collection procedures.
• Collaborate with universities, consultants, and laboratories to align methodologies.
• Support the development of scientific communications (reports, posters, datasets, and publications).
• Regular travel to restoration sites for data collection.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, Data Science, or a related field.
• Valid driver's licence (Code B/EB).
• 1–3 years' experience in ecological monitoring, carbon accounting, or environmental data management.
• Proficiency in R, Python, or similar analytical software.
• Experience with GIS platforms (QGIS or Arc GIS) and remote‑sensing workflows.
• Familiarity with carbon standards (Verra VCS/CCB) or ecosystem restoration projects is an advantage.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem‑solving abilities.
• High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for technical reporting.
• Ability to manage multiple datasets and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated integrity, transparency, and scientific rigour.
• Occasional travel to partner institutions or head office in Paarl may be required.

Email CV in WORD format: #J-*****-Ljbffr