Line manager: Connected Technology Lead

Location: This role is based the Natural State Research Centre in Meru County on the edge of Lewa Conservancy.

Type: This is a full-time (40 hrs/week) role, however exceptional part-time (20-30 hrs/week) applicants will be considered.

About Natural State

Natural State is a not-for-profit headquartered in the northern rangelands of Kenya. Our goal is to develop technology and financial systems that will catalyse large-scale restoration globally and train future leaders for this sector. In the short term, we are revolutionising impact monitoring for carbon, biodiversity and human-wellbeing, so that the success or failure of restoration efforts can be clearly defined. We are using this technology to help test a broad range of innovative financing mechanisms that aim to support large-scale restoration, sequester carbon, and provide benefits to local communities.

About The Wyss Academy – East Africa Hub

At the Hub East Africa, our objective is to promote the coexistence of people and nature by preserving the connectivity, functionality, and health of ecosystems. Additionally, we aim to leverage the co-benefits of biodiversity for the well-being of both humans and the ecosystem. Currently, our main projects in the countries include: the dual-purpose corridor initiative; ecosystem inventory for arid and semi-arid lands; Laikipia County Spatial Planning; youth-led conservation; and landscape restoration using semi-circular bunds.

About the Role:

We are seeking a tech-savvy and adaptable individual for a Tech Fellowship that focuses on the evaluation and implementation of proven and cutting-edge environmental and biodiversity monitoring systems. This role is pivotal in supporting conservation and restoration efforts in rural Kenya through the deployment and management of both experimental technologies and well-established to monitor ecosystems and biodiversity.

​The Kenyan landscapes, where the Wyss Academy for Nature collaborates with Natural State, serve as a testing and implementation ground for novel environmental monitoring solutions. These include advanced remote sensing technologies, such as high- resolution satellite imagery and LiDAR for habitat mapping and land-use change detection, as well as drone-based systems for localized biodiversity assessments.

Additionally, sensor networks deployed in situ (e.g., IoT-enabled climate and soil monitoring devices) are integrated with AI-powered data analytics to enhance real-time environmental assessments. By2 combining these cutting-edge solutions, the initiative aims to create a comprehensive and scalable

“package” for effective and long-term environmental and biodiversity monitoring that can be adapted to other landscapes globally. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will collaborate with research institutions, technology providers, NGOs, and local stakeholders to gather critical data, inform ecological restoration practices, and build capacity for long-term monitoring.

About the Role:

• We are seeking a tech-savvy and adaptable individual for a Tech Fellowship that focuses on the evaluation and implementation of proven and cutting-edge environmental and biodiversity monitoring systems. This role is pivotal in supporting conservation and restoration efforts in rural Kenya through the deployment and management of both experimental technologies and well-established to monitor ecosystems and biodiversity.
• The Kenyan landscapes, where the Wyss Academy for Nature collaborates with Natural State, serve as a testing and implementation ground for novel environmental monitoring solutions. These include advanced remote sensing technologies, such as high-resolution satellite imagery and LiDAR for habitat mapping and land-use change detection, as well as drone-based systems for localized biodiversity assessments.
• Additionally, sensor networks deployed in situ (e.g., IoT-enabled climate and soil monitoring devices) are integrated with AI-powered data analytics to enhance real-time environmental assessments. By2 combining these cutting-edge solutions, the initiative aims to create a comprehensive and scalable “package” for effective and long-term environmental and biodiversity monitoring that can be adapted to other landscapes globally.
• As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will collaborate with research institutions, technology providers, NGOs, and local stakeholders to gather critical data, inform ecological restoration practices, and build capacity for long-term monitoring.

Key Responsibilities:

• Exploring and Implementation of novel approaches to Monitoring Systems
• Explore and test experimental approaches for enhanced long-term monitoring (edge computing, acoustic and visual pattern recognition).
• Work together with the international team of the Wyss Academy and regional as well as international partners in developing and piloting new approaches.
• Assess and implement a combination of proven and state-of-the-art technologies for environmental monitoring, including biodiversity tracking and soil health assessment.
• Deploy, configure, and maintain tools such as acoustic sensors, camera traps, soil moisture sensors, and other monitoring devices.
• Synchronize local experience with the modern monitoring systems
• Synthesize data from various technologies to provide comprehensive insights into ecosystem dynamics and restoration progress.
• Ensure systems are operational, troubleshoot technical issues, and recommend both innovative and field-tested solutions to improve monitoring efficacy.
• Packaging remote sensing and in-situ monitoring approaches to gain Landscape monitoring insights.
• Configure and optimize IoT communication protocols such as LoRaWAN, MǪTT, CoAP, NB-IoT
• Collaboration with Research Teams and Stakeholders
• Work with research teams to design monitoring protocols, integrating both established and experimental methods.
• Partner with local communities to co-develop monitoring approaches that incorporate traditional knowledge.
• Share findings and insights through collaborative research efforts, presentations, and publications.
• Document IoT architectures, workflows, and troubleshooting guides
• Capacity Building and Training:
• Support and train local teams in the implementation, use and maintenance of the proven experimental technologies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance local ownership of evaluated monitoring systems.

Experience and Qualifications

• We are looking for an individual who is technically skilled, open to innovation, and grounded in practical application, with a passion for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Degree in Computer Science, Environmental Science, Ecology, Engineering or a related technical field.
• Experience or interest in deploying proven environmental monitoring tools (e.g., camera traps, soil sensors, acoustic devices), evaluating their performance in the field and analyzing data