Consultant

Position Title: Consultant

Location: Chile (fieldwork and office-based, with potential travel within Andean cat range)

Reports to: Conservation Scientist, Chile

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and motivated conservation scientist to lead a feasibility study focused on identifying candidate sites for landscape-scale conservation of the Andean cat, within its range. The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical skills, including expertise in the analyses of camera trap data, spatial analysis, and ecological forecasting. This role involves synthesizing ecological, land use, and social data, engaging with local communities and stakeholders, and developing integrated maps that highlight priority areas for future conservation efforts.

The successful candidate will be required to have and maintain legal work authorization to work in the country at the time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Using the scientific literature, mainstream/social media, donor reports, and discussions within and beyond Panthera, determine at what sites Andean cats have been well-studied (to be further defined) in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, or Perú in the last 15 years. Determine what national/international agencies and donors have been associated with this work.
  
  
• For currently active Andean cat sites in the 4 countries, reach out to lead agencies to determine what their goals and success measures for their site(s) are over the next 3-5 years, and what would be important to them in terms of a potential Panthera collaboration.
  
  
• For potential collaboration sites, facilitate engagement with indigenous communities, government agencies, Universities, NGOs, and other regional partners to gather insights on land use, conflicts, and social dynamics of existing or prospective Andean cat study sites in the 4 countries. For these sites, identify main threats for the species and potential conservation actions that could be initiated or elevated.
  
  
• Reviewing available information identifying and talking to stakeholders.
  
  
• Within Panthera, determine where sites of meaningful engagement with Indigenous Communities and Local Peoples have been over recent years. Determine how Panthera’s activities and investments compare to those of other partners in these regions and explore how increased activities in these areas could help local communities achieve their priorities. Finally determine how increased activities with Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs) groups could link to improved conservation outcomes for Andean cats.
  
  
• If needed and feasible, map current land use, conflict zones, ecological corridors, and future land-use scenarios using GIS and spatial analysis tools with assistance of a Panthera Applied Science expert.
  
  
• Identify and prioritize zones within a ~10,000 km² area that meet ecological and social criteria for conservation actions.
  
  
• Map a network of potential scientific collaborators, conservation action partners, donors for long-term conservation initiatives, all relevant stakeholders for a future work, including NGO's, government agencies, Universities, local communities, indigenous associations, key people, research centres, etc.
  
  
• Synthesize scientific, social, partnership and potential donor information into a comprehensive report that focusses on 5-10 candidate collaboration sites. Develop metrics and score each site along the following 9 criteria: 1) Baseline Andean Cat data; 2) Political Stability/Safety at Site; 3) Potential for meaningful Conservation Action; 4) Potential to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Conservation Action; 5) Potential Local Partners for Implementation; 6) Potential to have partners that share program costs; 7) Funding Potential; 8) Strategic fit/synergy with puma program objectives.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. in ecology, conservation biology, landscape planning, wildlife management, or related field.
  
  
• Experience in analyzing and modeling camera trap data and other ecological/social datasets preferred but not required.
  
  
• Expertise in GIS, spatial analysis, and landscape connectivity modelling preferred but not required.
  
  
• Strong social skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse interlocutors.
  
  
• Ability to integrate ecological, social, and climate dimensions to identify priority conservation sites at a landscape scale.
  
  
• Experience collaborating with local communities, indigenous groups, government agencies, and NGOs.
  
  
• Familiarity with human–wildlife interaction dynamics and methods for assessing.
  
  
• Excellent communication in both Spanish and English.
  
  
• Excellent organization, and report-writing skills.
  
  
• Willingness to plan and develop field trips independently.
  
  
• Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams in a remote, field-based setting.
  
  
• Capacity to work in challenging field conditions, adapting to logistical, social, and ecological complexities.
  
  
• Practical knowledge of working in remote landscapes, preferably in the Andes or similar high-altitude ecosystems.
  
  
• Driver License Class B

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their most recent CV, a cover letter, and the names and contact details of 2-3 professional referees to the Panthera Careers Page. The application deadline is December 10, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.