Background

SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) is the world’s leading tool for monitoring protected and conserved areas, primarily relying on human observation data from conservationists in the field, including wildlife rangers, researchers, and local communities. It is used for monitoring all aspects of protected area management, including the collection of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) data, a growing concern for conservation managers worldwide. SMART is supported by two councils dedicated to developing its technology tools and building the capacity of its users. Each SMART user manages their own database and data models independently, with no access granted to external parties, including the SMART Partnership or developers. While SMART provides a default model tailored for general use in protected and conserved areas, it also offers specialised models, such as those for marine environments. 

To assist conservation practitioners and managers, we aim to support the development of tools and resources that facilitate the collection of meaningful data on HWC, enabling them to utilise this data to implement effective conservation strategies based on the latest expert guidance and best practices.

 Major Tasks

We propose the following tasks to support the development of effective tools for managing human-wildlife conflict (HWC):

• Survey of Sites Implementing SMART & Assessment of Information Needs. Conduct a survey across all sites using SMART to compile existing HWC relevant data models and determine the current practices for collecting, analysing and reporting on HWC data. Identify their existing and expected requirements for information that will aid in decision-making related to HWC management. 
• Feedback Collection and Analysis: Collate feedback from the survey and provide this to the SMART HWC working group to support and guide the development of a data model that addresses these needs and requirements (data model development will be supported by the technical team as required).
• Development of Guidance Document: Create a high-quality guidance document on how to monitor conflict, leveraging SMART data models and software, and integrate results into management strategies, incorporating the best available guidance to manage HWC such as the IUCN SSC guidelines on human-wildlife conflict and coexistence, the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool, and other relevant conservation tools. This should include case studies on existing use cases and how the recommended approaches can augment existing practices. 

Deliverables and milestones

Deliverables

Milestones

• Review of sites using SMART for HWC purposes

  Month 1

• Collating input from sites on their data requirements specific to HWC management 

  Month 1-2

• Guide the development of a default SMART data model that captures these needs (working closely with the SMART team who can support the development of this output in the required format). 

Month 2-3

• Guidelines and guidance materials on data-driven approaches to mitigating HWC (draft 1) shared to SMART HWC working group  

  Month 3-4

• Development of final draft of guidance materials 

Month 4-6

 Required Qualifications and professional experience?

• Formal qualifications in a field related to wildlife conservation and / or natural resource management 
• Demonstrated experience and ability in the production of high quality practical conservation material 
• Strong experience in monitoring HWC in diverse contexts 
• Understanding of adaptive management and data-driven approaches to conservation 

Required Skills and Competences

• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent command of English, both written and oral
• Ability to proactively engage stakeholders, and make accurate and insightful strategic assessments based on strong analysis of data
• Experience in the use of SMART software and/or data outputs is preferred