Organization:
Zoological Society of London
Position Description:
The Mikongo Conservation Centre (MCC) was established in eastern Lopé National Park in central Gabon in 1999 with European Commission funds. It aims to develop low-impact, high-revenue ecotourism to support both park management and local community development, based on viewing of critically endangered western lowland gorillas.
ZSL started supporting MCC in 2001 and took over full management of the site in 2005, working with the Ministry of Water and Forests (MINEF) and the Advisory Agency for National Parks (ANPN). Over the past few years a programme of gorilla habituation has been underway at Mikongo, with complementary research on gorilla ranging, health and diet and monitoring of human disturbances.ZSL are seeking a volunteer research supervisor to support MCC’s Research and Habituation Officer in carrying out and developing the current research programme in order to better understand the links between the gorilla population distribution and size and human activities occurring in the MCC activity area. This position will be based at Mikongo Conservation Centre, a forest-based tourism and research camp, inside Lopé National Park. The research supervisor will work with, and report to, the Research and Habituation Officer at Mikongo. Main duties of the position will be:
1. To work with the Research and Habituation Officer to implement a detailed gorilla habituation and research programme in the vicinity of Mikongo Conservation Centre, including gorilla genetic census, research into gorilla diet and ranging behaviour, phenology studies and collection of faecal samples for the health programme.
2. To assist with the training of local field assistants in scientific data collection techniques.
3. To support and contribute to developments to improve the forest ecotourism experience at Mikongo.
4. To assist in a programme of monitoring surveys, in the eastern region of Lopé NP and across the park in collaboration with the park authorities and other organisation where funds and capacity allow, to assess the distribution and abundance of large mammals, and human-wildlife interactions.*
5. To assist the MCC management staff, where requested, in representing ZSL and collaborating with relevant Gabonese government ministries and agencies and non-governmental organisations to build up a coherent, effective and appropriate research, monitoring and conservation programme for MCC.
6. To assist the MCC management staff in providing information to tourists and in facilitating and managing tourist visits when required through absence of other staff members.
7. To assist the MCC management staff and ZSL London office in raising awareness and funds for conservation and research at MCC locally, nationally and internationally.
8. To assist the MCC Research and Habituation Officer with analysing and reporting the research and habituation programme component of MCC to the ZSL London office, Gabonese government, donors and collaborators (via monthly, annual, donor and other reports as required).
9. To supervise the research and habituation work during absence of the Research and Habituation Officer.
Qualifications/Experience:
Candidates should have preferably a degree-level qualification in biological/conservation sciences, with research background and field work experience (preferably in census and monitoring surveys). Experience in tropical areas is a strong asset. They should be able to work in demanding field conditions, as part of a team in a small isolated research camp with few facilities. They will need to be articulate, literate and numerate and have a good working knowledge (preferably fluency) of both French and English.
Salary/funding:
This is a volunteer position.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Accommodation at MCC and in the Libreville staff flat, visa and insurance under ZSL’s group travel insurance policy and a stipend of 100 000 FCFA/month will be provided.
Term of Appointment:
This position is available for a minimum of one year. The post is available from end May 2009.
Application Deadline:
20th April 2009
Comments:
Applicants should send their CV and a covering letter, detailing relevant experience and skills and including a possible start date, by email to ZSL’s HR Department (hr@zsl.org) by 20th April. We hope to hold interviews soon after. Further details of the project can be obtained on the project’s pages of the ZSL website (http://www.zsl.org/mikongo) and further details on the post, if required, from Chris Ransom (chris.ransom@zsl.org). We regret that we will only be able to contact applicants who have been selected for interview.
Contact Information:
Chris RansomRegent's ParkLondon NW1 4RYUnited KingdomTelephone Number:+44 (0)20 7449 6442Website:http://www.zsl.orgE-mail Address:chris.ransom@zsl.org