Site & Research Manager
Hiring Organization:Goualougo Triangle Ape Project and Wildlife Conservation Society - Congo Program
Date Posted:
Position Description:
The Mondika field site is a remote forest camp located in the Nouabale Ndoki National Park, in the north of the Republic of Congo where research on gorilla behavior, ranging and feeding ecology has been carried out since 1996. Two gorilla groups are currently habituated since 2008 and 2010. Habituation of a third group will likely begin this year. We are searching for a Camp and Research Managerfor an ongoing long-term project on western lowland gorilla socioecology and health monitoring.
The Camp and Research Managerwill have the following duties:
1)Camp management including supervision of field staff, logistics, infrastructure maintenance and communication. In order for the multiple project activities to remain productive and efficient, the successful applicant will work closely with the GTAP/Mondika logistician stationed at the Nouabale Ndoki National Park headquarters in Bomassa. Together they will coordinate staff schedules and travel logistics of Congolese research assistants and gorilla tracking teams.
2)Training, implementation, and supervision of data collection protocols, including maintenance of long-term ecological, behavioral and health recordsusing the Animal Observer App on mini IPad as well as data management and storage. The job will require spending considerable amounts of time in the field working with the Congolese research assistants. Assistance in transport of biological samples (in collaboration with the WCS Wildlife Health and Health Policy Program) will also be required.
3)Ensuring tourists and research teams maintain safety protocols at all times with gorillas, in camp and in the forest.
4)Preparingmonthly reports to GTAP and the WCS Research and Monitoring Director concerning ongoing project developments and field team performance will be required. Participation in Research Assistant employee reviews as well as maintaining daily communications from the field site will also be required.
Qualifications/Experience:
Candidates must have prior field experience (preferably in Africa) and an academic background in one or several of the following areas: primatology, biology, zoology, botany, ecology, anthropology. Individuals with post-graduate degrees are strongly encouraged to apply. Given the importance of communication in this management role, language skills in French (at least oral and preferably in writing) and English are essential. Other critical requirements are: (1) Experience managing staff in a multicultural environment; (2) physical ability to spend long hours walking in the forest(usually 7am to 5pm) while observing gorillas and collecting data; (3) a good sense of humor, self-reliance, and adventurous team spirit; (4) ability to tolerate limited communication (Mondika is remote with imperfect communications), limited dietary options, and basic accommodation (tents). Practical skills or knowledge to maintain the technical infrastructure (e.g. solar power, generator, satellite telephone, VHS-radio) and to organize/supervise construction work (e.g. make-shift buildings in camp) would be an advantage, as would an ability to improvise with limited resources.Basic medical or first aid training is stronglydesirable.
Salary/funding:
Salary will be based on educational credentials and prior field experience. Costs covered by the project include travel (visa, one roundtrip international flight from home country to the Republic of Congo, and all in-country travel), meals, lodging (in tented platform), international health insurance, andmedical evacuation insurance).
Term of Appointment:
11 months at the field site in Republic of Congo,annually renewable with optional trip to Washington University in Saint Louis after successful completion of first years fieldwork.
Application Deadline:31 December 2016
Comments:
Applicants should send their CV anda letter of interest describing their background and qualifications for this position. Applicants should contact Dr. David Morgan with any questions about the position or application materials.
Contact Information:
David Morgan,
Telephone Number:+1-314-562-4550