Department: Conservation Programmes (Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation)
Main Place of Work: Comoro Islands, Western Indian Ocean
Application deadline: 30 June 2009 Start Date: From July 2009
Contract: The position is offered at £15,000* per annum for an initial fixed period of 18 months, with the possibility of extension beyond this time
Overview: Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation (‘BCSF’), in partnership with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (‘DWCT’), has recently been awarded a prestigious Darwin Initiative Grant from the UK government to fund its work in the Comoro Islands in the Western Indian Ocean. These magical islands form part of one of the five ‘hottest hotspots’ in the world for wildlife conservation, yet action remains negligible. BCSF’s intervention aims to conserve the remaining terrestrial biodiversity by achieving sustainable forest management through improving local livelihoods, working in tandem with the Comorian government, the University of the Comoros, and several other local organisations. The project has three main components: working with local communities to assist them in working towards a more sustainable production system that protects forest, biodiversity and livelihoods; setting up a biodiversity habitat and monitoring system that will help to delineate protected areas; and reinforcing a local partner NGO to ensure sustainability of the action. BCSF is now looking to recruit a dynamic, motivated and committed person to take responsibility for this second component, setting up the biodiversity monitoring system, and to contribute to the reinforcement of the local NGO.
Main Duties:
1. Developing and implementing a biodiversity monitoring scheme (based on a pressure-state-response model) for the priority areas of remaining forest of the islands of Anjouan, Mohéli and Grand Comore. To include:
finalising the definitions of pressure-state-response monitoring indicators;
field-testing monitoring indicators and ensuring they are locally feasible and relevant;
implementing and refining the monitoring sampling designs in the three islands (sampling designs will be partially developed during a desk study);
developing and field-testing data collection protocols for biodiversity and pressure monitoring indicators;
training NGO and University of Comoros staff in monitoring indicators, sampling design and data collection protocols;
conducting data collection for monitoring indicators in the wet season, and possibly dry season, in the three islands;
Training NGO staff in, and performing, GPS mapping of boundaries of community-run reserves and different usage zones in consultation with local villagers, and creating GIS maps based on these delimitations;
supporting development of a database to manage monitoring data and help evaluate data management protocols;
supporting implementation of land cover monitoring via remote sensing (this may be through FAO activities or led by Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust); and
supporting production of a monitoring manual (French and English version) to document all information relevant to the development and implementation of the monitoring scheme.
2. Building capacity in the local NGO and the University of Comoros for biodiversity assessment, monitoring (including training in field techniques), data management and data analysis.
3. Ensuring good working relationships with all local and international partners.
4. Ensuring regular reporting on project progress and outputs.
5. Assisting with drafting of scientific outputs arising from the project.
Profile:
· At least a masters degree in relevant fields
· At least one years’ experience of ecological field research in the tropics, with experience of biodiversity monitoring, design and application preferred
· Working knowledge of GIS and GPS
· Excellent spoken and written French and English, good ICT skills, current driving licence
· High degree of initiative, motivation and commitment
· Excellent organisational and time management skills
· 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
*Please note that with low living costs, if the candidate can register overseas for tax purposes, this will be equivalent to a UK salary of approximately £23k
Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation is an operating unit of the Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society Ltd. The Society is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, and is Investor in People accredited.