Back Conservation Research Co-ordinator

Position Overview

Working with national and international staff and volunteers the Coordinator will conduct research on endemic and endangered flora and fauna in the coastal littoral forest fragments in Sainte Luce. The Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of the programme; co-ordinating field research including maintaining, developing and expanding the current research projects, new project design and methodology, writing of publishable papers and, in conjunction with the Logistics and Volunteer Officer and Research Assistants, the management and care of the short term conservation volunteers.

The Conservation Research Coordinator is also responsible for building the capacity of the Research Assistants and providing the Project Development team with pertinent research and results to aid future funding proposals.

Short term volunteers provide much needed support to the conservation effort in St Luce through their participation in the research activities. For this reason, it is imperative that volunteers both participate fully in the research activities and have a positive experience, so they go on to promote SEED and Madagascar in general. The Coordinator will lead the teamwork towards this end through management, intervention and support as well as promoting the wider work of SEED.

The Coordinator will split their time between the field and the office as workloads and priorities allow, although it is expected the Coordinator will spend a minimum of 60% of their time in office.

Contract type: Local, living stipend of 1,200,000 Ar a month, contribution to flights of £1,000, contribution to insurance of £400.
Timeframe: 18 months, extendable
Job type: 50% field, and 50% office based
Location: Anosy Region, Madagascar
Reporting to: Director of Programmes and Operations (DPO)

Duties and Responsibilities

· Maintain and continue on-going research, ensuring that this follows protocols and is of international standard

· Design novel environmental research projects that are specific and applicable to the area and provide protocols and training on methodology

· In collaboration with the Research Assistants, organise work schedules for volunteers and staff to ensure the standard of data collection for effective applied conservation outputs

· Manage, supervise and appraise the team of research assistants

· Ensure support and care is provided to maintain the physical and mental welfare of research assistants and volunteers

· Ensure successful communication of SEED’s current work across all departments to the volunteers

· Provide management, advice and intervention to ensure the research camp is effective and supported

· Ensure risk assessments are in place for each activity and these are communicated with the team and volunteers

· Interact with volunteers, stakeholders and other researchers in a professional and friendly manner

· Work closely with the International Support Officer in ensuring the smooth running of the programme

· Work closely with the Executive Director of Research in developing a holistic research programme covering both conservation and community projects

· Lead in the analysis of data, ensuring high quality data sets

· Facilitate, write and secure publication in peer reviewed journals of research

· Work closely with the International Support Officer and UK staff to manage field and equipment budgets

· Work alongside the Project Development Department to secure funding for current and future research projects

· Provide quarterly internal and external reports for SEED and any collaborating partners

· Work alongside the Communications and Media Officer in producing information for the website and social media

· Work closely with the Conservation project Co-ordinators in developing a holistic research programme covering both conservation and community projects

· Advise on the strategic development of the programme

· Maintain and develop respectful relationships in the community where the team is based, ensuring that all staff and volunteers respect the customs and taboos of the area

· Any other tasks that the Director of Programmes and Operations sees fit within the broad scope of this job description

Person Specification **

• Have a Masters degree in an environment or conservation field
• Have at least 12 months successful experience of tropical field research
• Have proven organisational, time-management and communication skills
• Have experience of designing and implementing research projects
• Have had experience with publishing research
• Have experience of leading research teams of both international and national staff
• Have experience of either coordinating a volunteer programme or having taken part in a similar extended volunteering scheme
• Have experience using GPS’s and a working knowledge of GIS
• Be fluent in English; ability to speak French or Malagasy is desirable
• Have a good level of fitness for working in difficult terrain under tropical conditions
• Have passion, curiosity and motivation for the job and the ability to enthuse others.
• Have the ability and desire to work with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds and across multiple language barriers.
• Have the ability and desire to build capacity and share skills across cultures.
• Demonstrate proven ability to recognise and appropriately deal with challenging situations.
• Demonstrate an awareness of and comfort with increased social and professional responsibility, working at all times with cultural sensitivity and respect.
• Be punctual and be able to work to tight deadlines in an organised manner and to a high standard
• Have a flexible and patient attitude.
• Have excellent problem-solving skills.
• Be able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Practicalities

The successful candidate will be equipped with a laptop computer (non-tablet) and field camping equipment. They must also hold a current First Aid certificate.