jeudi 16 février 2012

Volunteer Research Assistant for Azafady Conservation Programme

Hiring Organization:
Azafady

Date Posted:
2012-02-14

Position Description:
Volunteer Research Assistant for the Azafady Conservation Programme

Location of Post: Based in Fort Dauphin and working throughout bordering communes in Anosy Region

Supervisor: Research and Project Co-ordinator

Background of the post:

Azafady is a UK registered charity and Malagasy NGO working in partnership with disadvantaged communities to improve living standards and quality of life in positive coexistence with the fragile and unique local environment. Founded in 1994, the organisation works in 30 of the most impoverished villages on the globe and in the urban centre of Fort Dauphin, south and south east Madagascar, home to a population of some 300,000 people.

Azafady’s Environment Department and the Azafady Conservation Programme (ACP), which accepts international volunteers to work on Azafady’s conservation projects on the ground, are working in tandem with local people to aid the conservation of the threatened forests in the south east of Madagascar. The Azafady Conservation Programme collects data essential for conducting research on the endemic and threatened flora and fauna, in particular lemurs, herpetofauna and endangered palms. The ACP also implements community conservation initiatives such as environmental education in the village school, conservation club, conservation through English lessons, fuel-efficient stove building and World Environment Day festivities, as well as supporting the Environment Department’s reforestation projects. The Environmental Department has established a reforestation project which provides local communities with over 30,000 trees per year, reducing the human impact on the native forests.

ONG Azafady is now looking to recruit a motivated and dynamic individual to assist the Coordinator of the Azafady Conservation Programme. The person will work with our local staff and assist with co-ordinating volunteers in conducting field research on the endemic and endangered flora and fauna of Sainte Luce, approximately 40km north of Fort Dauphin. The individual will be expected to manage and supervise the research projects in the absence of the coordinator and assist the Project co-ordinator in all aspects of their job role. This will involve assisting in the induction and instruction of international volunteers in research methods and daily tasks while ensuring volunteers are happy and satisfied with the programme wherever possible. You will also be required to assist the Project coordinator with data entry/analysis, report writing, organising equipment and communicating with Azafady staff and the local community.



Duties and responsibilities

The research assistant will work in collaboration with Azafady Malagasy staff in the following activities;

• To assist in the development and implementation of the research programme for the coastal littoral forest fragments in Sainte Luce
• To ensure the project targets are met
• To assist in the organisation and logistics for the research programme including equipment and the resources required for the research
• To implement, with the assistance of international and Malagasy staff, the research required to complete the projects organised by the Project co-ordinator.
• To supervise volunteers during their time in the field
• To monitor data collection in the field
• To assist in training of volunteers in the field research techniques required to implement the programmes
• To ensure good communication and team relations with Volunteers, Azafady staff and local staff
• To assist the Project coordinator in the organisation of research excursions
• Any other tasks the Director/ Project Coordinator deems necessary within the broad remit of this role
• Able to commit for a period of one year

Qualifications/Experience:
Personal specification:

• Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in conservation issues
• A qualification in a related discipline
• Specialist knowledge of either primatology, herpetology, botany or environmental education is desirable
• Able to or willing to learn to safely handle and identify reptiles and amphibians
• Previous experience living or working in a developing country would be an asset
• Good IT skills
• Ability to grasp and carryout instruction in challenging environments and maintain a good sense of humour
• First aid certificate
• Working Knowledge of GPS and/or GIS is an advantage
• A good degree of initiative, motivation and commitment
• Excellent organisational and time management skills is a must
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure and be flexible and accommodating
• Ability to work as part of a dynamic and multicultural team
• Good degree of fitness for working in difficult terrain under tropical conditions
• Ability to spend long periods of time in basic camping conditions

Salary/funding:
Unpaid

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Pay and conditions – Food and local transport will be provided whilst on projects. All other costs will need to be covered by the candidate, including accommodation when in town.

Application Deadline:
29/02/2012

Comments:
Anyone interested in applying for this position should send a detailed CV and a cover letter explaining how their skills and experience match the requirements in the Job Description to Mark Jacobs, by email or by post. The closing date for applications is February 29th 2012.

Contact Information:
Mark Jacobs
Studio 7, 1a Beethoven Street
London W10 4LG
United Kingdom

Telephone Number:
+ 44 (0) 20 8960 6629

Fax Number:
+ 44 (0) 20 8962 0126

Website:
http://www.madagascar.co.uk

E-mail Address:
mark@azafady.org
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