Biodiversity and Conservation Specialist
Job Description
Nabat is a climate- tech startup based in the UAE using advanced technology to protect and restore natural ecosystems with precision and scale!
Our mission is to enable data-driven, science-backed ecosystem management and restoration at the speed and scale necessary to address the critical challenges of climate change, deforestation, land erosion, and biodiversity loss.
Our comprehensive solution- consisting of ecosystem management software, precision aerial seeding drones, AI & ecological models, and restoration services
- is already being used to plant millions of mangroves in the UAE.
But we're just getting started, as we build our platform to serve the needs of coastal, marine and arid ecosystems around the world.
If this mission resonates with you, let's talk.
The Biodiversity and Conservation Specialist provides scientific leadership in the design, execution, and interpretation of ecological surveys and restoration monitoring programs.
This role requires advanced expertise in ecological restoration and conservation framework development including survey design, strong statistical competence, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to operate effectively in demanding field environments.
The successful candidate must demonstrate robust knowledge of flora and fauna of terrestrial and coastal ecology, and applied ecological statistics, ensuring that all operational frameworks are scientifically defensible and feasible.
Your responsibilities will include:
Strategic Design of Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation Frameworks- Design statistically robust ecological survey frameworks.
- Determine appropriate sampling unit size, replication levels, and spatial distribution.
- Apply statistical principles to detect ecological effect.
- Ensure survey methodologies are defensible, reproducible, and regulator-ready.
- Adapt sampling design when required without compromising scientific integrity.
- Make sound, evidence-based decisions in dynamic field conditions.
- Adjust survey plans in response to access constraints, weather, terrain, or environmental variability.
- Maintain methodological validity while ensuring operational efficiency.
- Lead field teams with clarity and authority.
- Demonstrate strong field-based identification skills for flora and fauna.
- Validate species inventories and ensure correct taxonomic classification.
- Identify indicator, invasive, protected, or priority species.
- Contribute to habitat classification and ecosystem interpretation.
- Establish structured data collection protocols and QA/QC systems.
- Ensure accuracy, traceability, and consistency across datasets.
- Oversee consolidation, validation, and interpretation of ecological data.
- Maintain well-documented field records and metadata.
- Produce clear, concise, and well-structured technical reports.
- Translate statistical outputs and field observations into defensible ecological conclusions.
- Communicate effectively with regulators, clients, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Present complex ecological concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Work effectively under demanding environmental conditions (heat, arid environments, coastal exposure).
- Maintain performance, organization, and safety standards during intensive field campaigns.
- Demonstrate physical and operational readiness for demanding survey schedules.
- Master's or PhD degree in Ecology, Biology, or related discipline.
- Minimum 10+ years of applied ecological field experience, especially in the Gulf region.
- Demonstrated expertise in ecological survey design and applied statistics.
- Strong knowledge of flora and fauna taxonomy.
- Experience in terrestrial ecosystem restoration and conservation.
- Proven record of high-quality technical report writing.
- Advanced survey design capability.
- Strong statistical knowledge.
- Decisive and adaptive leadership.
- Exceptional organization and attention to detail.
- Excellent English written and verbal communication.
- Basic knowledge of Arabic (preferable)
- High resilience in challenging field environments.
- Strong scientific judgment.
Why join Nabat
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to:
- Join a well-funded early-stage tech startup at the intersection of some of the most exciting, disruptive and innovative technologies in the world - geospatial AI, remote sensing, drone robotics, ecology & agricultural science.
- Relocate to Abu Dhabi one of the safest, most livable, expat-friendly cities in the world - with an all inclusive relocation package for you and your family, that includes work & residence visa sponsorship, business class flights, orientation tour, school and house search, and luxury hotel stay until you find your new home.
- Make a real and direct impact to solving the most critical challenges of our time climate change and ecosystem loss.
- Build partnerships that matter!
Apply with your CV and tell us what makes you & your experience a great fit for Nabat.