Hiring Organization:
CERCOPAN
Date Posted:
2012-10-24
Position Description:
The Organisation
The Centre for Education, Research and Conservation of Primates and Nature (CERCOPAN) is a UK-registered Charity (Reg. No. 1116955) with operations in Cross River State, Nigeria. Since 1995, CERCOPAN has worked to conserve Nigeria’s primates and rainforests. Taking an integrated approach to conservation, CERCOPAN’s work benefits monkeys, communities, and the rainforest to ensure long-term sustainable impact. CERCOPAN has two sites: our administrative and primate rehabilitation headquarters in Calabar, and our conservation centre at Rhoko Forest, Iko Esai.
Rhoko Forest, the base for CERCOPAN's forest conservation and research programmes, is located approximately 90km north of Calabar. It was established as a result of a long term agreement with Iko Esai community. The site is home to 60 semi-free ranging forest monkeys, and an array of wildlife including pangolins, wild putty-nosed guenons and red-eared guenons, mona monkeys, bushbabies, duikers, golden cats and drills. Forest patrols are carried out 24/7 to ensure no illegal activities take place in the area, and research and education are carried out to help us work towards our overall goal of working for primate conservation and the preservation of biodiversity. Of primary concern in our programming is primate conservation, biodiversity research, forest management and conservation of tropical rainforest.
The Position
CERCOPAN is recruiting for a Protected Area Manager, based in Rhoko Forest, to start as soon as possible. The role of the Protected Area Manager is to ensure the smooth running of Rhoko Camp and the programmes carried out there. We are looking for someone with a strong conservation background, ideally with prior experience of working in Africa. The ideal candidate will be patient, dedicated, hard working, flexible, amicable, and a team player. They must also have the ability to cope well under stress and live happily in basic forest living conditions. The rainforest site is approximately 40 minutes from the nearest village and 3 hours from Calabar. This is an excellent opportunity for those wishing make a real contribution to African forest and primate conservation. Please note: although the site base for this position is usually home to a number of expat volunteers, there may be occasions that involve living in Camp with only local staff in the immediate vicinity.
Duties:
The Protected Area Manager’s role is to ensure the smooth running of CERCOPAN's operations within Rhoko Forest, with specific responsibility for staff and volunteer management, logistics, administration, maintenance, animal care/husbandry, ecotourism, and overall management of all research and environmental education activities (internal and external). The Protected Area Manager must take appropriate and immediate action with regard to emergency situations as they arise, for example, incursion of tractors along access road, illegal logging, and illegal hunting while guarding the cordial relations with our host villages and the local Chiefs Councils.
Qualifications/Experience:
Essential:
- Degree in ecology, conservation, zoology or development and a Masters Degree in a relevant subject and a strong commitment to conservation
- Strong staff (and volunteers) management experience
- Previous experience working/volunteering in the tropics (preferably Africa)
- Culturally sensitive, pro-active, and able to live in a remote forest location;
- Good communication and organisational skills.
- Determined and results-orientated
- Confident and decisive
- Ability to work as a team and create a team atmosphere, as well as to work independently
- Diplomatic, with good negotiation skills
- Ability to remain calm under pressure
- Personable and Optimistic with the ability to motivate others
- Good problem solving skills
- ‘Up for a challenge’ positive attitude
- Driving licence
Desired:
- 4-wheel drive experience
- First aid certificate
- Construction experience
- Budget planning/management experience.
Salary/funding:
Local stipend
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Room, board, flights and a modest local stipend will be paid for a 2 year contract. Initial visa arrangements, insurance etc. are the responsibility of the volunteer.
Term of Appointment:
2 years
Application Deadline:
Dec 24th 2012
Comments:
Please send covering letter, references and CV to nicolien.schoneveld@cercopan.org
Position to be filled as soon as appropriate candidate found.
For further information, please see the CERCOPAN website www.cercopan.org, blog http://cercopan.wildlifedirect.org/ or facebook fan page www.facebook.com/cercopan
Contact Information:
Calabar
Nigeria
Telephone Number:
+234 (0)8168288355
Website:
E-mail Address: