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Conservation Research Assistant

An exciting in-country opportunity to be part of the conservation research team in the south east of Madagascar

About The Organisation:

SEED Madagascar is a British Charity working in partnership with communities in the south east of Madagascar. We integrate high quality community health, rural livelihoods, education infrastructure and conservation programmes to support long term, sustainable change and add to international best practice through research and publication across all of our programmatic areas.

Position Overview:

This position is ideal for a motivated, recently qualified individual interested in working within an established research team based in the stunning coastal village of Sainte Luce, 40km north of Fort Dauphin. The post holder will conduct research within the area's fragmented littoral forest habitats and adjoining coastal habitats. This position affords the opportunity to conduct vital in-situ conservation and to contribute data to scientific publications.

The SEED Conservation Research Programme (SCRP) focuses on the endemic/endangered communities of Sainte Luce, with a particular focus on lemur research, herpetological study, botanical assessments and the monitoring of bats, dragonflies, and freshwater fish. Current projects include the long term monitoring of lemur and herpetological fragments, amassing ecological evidence whenever information is lacking, and compiling population densities and spatial/temporal distribution maps.

Habitat sampling and assessment is also a regular activity, alongside the collation of species inventories for each of the nearby forest fragments, with a particular emphasis on the reptile and amphibian, bird and small mammal communities. The SCRP team works very closely with the local community to implement lasting community conservation initiatives.

Research Assistants are responsible for leading international teams of short-term volunteers, collecting and analysing data accurately and contributing towards the holistic conservation approach encouraged at SEED Madagascar.

This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate to gain field experience and the necessary skills essential for a career in conservation.

Location: Sainte Luce, Anosy Region, Madagascar

Timeframe: 12 months extendable

Probationary period: 3 months

Contract: Voluntary, stipend of 600,000 Ar a month towards accommodation, food and transport provided on camp and contribution of £600 towards insurance

Reporting to: Conservation Research Coordinator

Duties and responsibilities:

The research assistant will work in collaboration with SEED Madagascar’s international and National staff in the following activities:

1. Organise and lead data collection in the field.
2. Monitor data collection in the field and ensure the quality of the data.
3. Assist in setting research objectives and ensuring these are consistently met.
4. Organise the logistics of the research projects when in the field, including equipment and resource management.
5. Supervise volunteers during their time in the field and in town, including pastoral care and ad-hoc problem solving.
6. Ensure risk assessments, volunteer guidelines, field orientations and all research protocols are followed at all times.
7. Train volunteers in field research techniques and provide feedback.
8. Ensure good communication and team relations between volunteers, SEED staff and local staff.
9. Assist in the development of research projects, analysis of data and write up of research papers when required.
10. Provide photographs for the website and social media platforms to ensure coverage of the research.
11. Ensure all of SEED’s policies and procedures are evident throughout the work of the department, including those for safeguarding, whistleblowing and anti-corruption, and undertake continual training to ensure these are promoted at all times.
12. Any other tasks the Director of Programmes and Operations or Conservation Research Coordinator deem necessary within the broad remit of this role

Person Specification:

1. Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in conservation issues.
2. A qualification to at least undergraduate level in a conservation discipline.
3. Specialist knowledge of either primatology, herpetology, botany or environmental education is desirable.
4. Able or willing to learn to safely handle and identify reptiles and amphibians.
5. Previous experience of collecting data.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to SEED’s ethos and approach and be a good ambassador for SEED at all times.
7. Have passion, curiosity and motivation for the job and the ability to enthuse others.
8. Have the ability and desire to work with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds and across multiple language barriers.
9. Have the ability and desire to build capacity and share skills across cultures.
10. Demonstrate proven ability to recognise and appropriately deal with challenging situations.
11. Demonstrate an awareness of and comfort with increased social and professional responsibility, working at all times with cultural sensitivity and respect.
12. Demonstrate the ability, social skills and confidence to give clear guidance and support to other members of the team in respect of the philosophy and procedures of SEED in order to protect both their safety and the reputation of the NGO.
13. Have excellent problem solving skills.
14. Working knowledge of GPS and/or GIS is an advantage.
15. Have a First aid certificate.
16. Good degree of fitness for working in difficult terrain under tropical conditions.
17. Ability to spend long periods of time in basic camping conditions.
18. Able to commit for a period of one year minimum.

Practicalities:

Food and local transport will be provided whilst in the field. All other costs will need to be covered by the candidate, including accommodation when not in the field.

The successful candidate will need to provide their own tent and camping equipment and laptop.