Fundación Para La Tierra (a small, grassroots Paraguayan conservation NGO) is looking for a new Assistant Supervisor for the Urban Howler Monkey Project, based in the city of Pilar and Ñeembucú Wetlands Complex, Paraguay. In this role you’ll supervise undergraduate and master’s level primatological studies at an ecological research station, contributing to our understanding of these unique monkeys.
Role summary
You will work under PLT’s resident primatologist (Rebecca Smith) to develop and supervise intern projects from the moment an intern books through until the publication of their study where applicable. You will offer both intellectual and logistical support for interns carrying out projects at PLT, including project design, coordination of fieldwork, data analysis and manuscript writing. You will be responsible for ensuring that internships are carried out to a high standard and result in interns leaving happy with what they have learned and achieved. You will be responsible for the physical organisation of papers, literature reviews, project proposals, results and raw data.
You will also have the opportunity to design your own primatological research project (subject to the approval of the PLT primatologist and Scientific Council).
Role competencies
Essential
- Computer skills including excel, word, lightroom/photoshop.
- Field experience working with wild primates – particularly in carrying out behavioural studies (experience with Central and South American monkeys is a bonus but not essential).
- Experience in supervising projects and people.
- Good understanding of statistical analyses (preferably with experience in R, SPSS, Python etc.).
- Familiarity with GIS (especially QuantumGIS).
- Educated to Masters degree level in primatology or anthropology.
- Manual driving license with 4x4/off-road experience.
Desired
- Bilingual -English and Spanish (fluency in English is essential).
- Record of scientific writing with peer-reviewed publications
Main tasks and responsibilities
- Correspond by email (copying the Executive Director and Primatologist into the conversation) with interns before they arrive at the site, ensuring they meet all pre-arrival deadlines, and assisting in the production of a quality research proposal.
- Meet with each intern once or twice each week, depending on necessity, in a formal setting to discuss any aspect of their project, especially assisting with troubleshooting and data analysis. Be available at other times to answer their questions.
- Coordinate and contribute to the initial setup of intern project methodologies (in collaboration with the PLT Primatologist) both on paper and in the field, motivating them and ensuring a strong start to their fieldwork stage.
- Following initial set-up, visit each internship project at least twice per month, enforcing deadlines for written and presentation aspects of project development and providing feedback and support in these assignments.
- Collect and collate all digital materials related to each intern in the “intern database”, including, but not limited to, literature reviews, project proposals, raw data, photographs, statistical analyses, papers consulted, presentations and outcomes.
- Organise and facilitate intern presentations, communicating the details of presentations to all staff in advance via the shared calendar.
- Coordinate with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure interns have volunteer support when necessary.
- Submit project updates and publication progress to the Executive Director and Primatologist.
- Supervision of remote interns by organising weekly meetings and making sure they get all the help they need through all the different steps of their project.
- Contributing to extra PLT projects such as developing online courses or any other ongoing or new projects.
- Contribute to furthering PLTs mission wherever possible, including using non-science skills to assist in project development.
- When necessary fulfil domestic responsibilities including but not limited to cooking meals, cleaning dishes, doing shopping, coordinating recreational activities, and managing PLT home projects.
With this position, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a young and ambitious team of conservationists within a fast-growing and unique organisation in the neotropics. The post begins with a 6 month unpaid trial period (full bed and board are covered). At the end of a successful trial period there is the opportunity for a long-term role to be discussed.
Primatology is a highly neglected discipline in Paraguay and you’ll be contributing to ground-breaking research. To apply, please send your CV, a cover letter, two professional or academic references and one character reference to rebecca@paralatierra.org. The recruitment process will also include a Zoom interview, and a written project proposal for a theoretical research project. No closing date - rolling applications until the right candidate is found. Some training for the role will also take place remotely.
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