Hiring Organization:
Gola Forest Programme
Date Posted:
2009-10-20
Position Description:
A field assistant is needed to aid the Gola Forest Programme’s Research and Monitoring department in undertaking a study examining the effects of seed-dispersal by Diana monkeys on forest regeneration in the Gola Forest Reserves, Sierra Leone. The Gola Forest Programme (GFP) is a partnership between the government of Sierra Leone, the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The GFP is responsible for among other things, biodiversity conservation of the Gola Forest Reserves.
The Programme is based in Kenema, which is the third largest city in Sierra Leone and a 5 hr drive from Freetown.
The field assistant will be based at our sub-station in Gola East, 'SILETI' (which is a 2 hr drive from Kenema). The field assistant will be responsible for:
1)Collecting dietary data on habituated Diana monkeys. This will be accomplished by employing both behavioural observations and by examining fecal samples.
2)Collecting Diana monkey fecal samples to identify fruit seed characteristics
3)Monitoring Diana monkey fecal piles in the forest to document seedling germination
4)Measuring various ecological variables and characteristics of microhabitats in the monkeys’ range
5)Collecting baseline information on the group (GPS location, etc..)
6) Maintaining and updating a reference collection of foods in the monkeys’ dietary repertoire using photography and plant pressing
7)Computerizing data
8)Working and training field technician staff of the Gola Forest Programme
9)Writing bimonthly reports
10)Other activities as required by the project
The field assistant will be managed by the head of the Research Department of the Gola Forest Programme and will liaise directly with this person. Weekly phone calls to give updates on the project are required, and visits by the head of Research to SILETI to oversee the work will be monthly.
Working hours: 7:00 am to 4:00 pm in the field, 5-6 days/week. There will be added work back at the research station (working on plant reference collections, sieving fecal samples, data entry, etc..). Working hours and locations (field or research station) will likely evolve as the study progresses.
The work is long and intense and requires a dedicated person; it is an ideal position for someone interested in gaining experience prior to graduate school. The monkey’s home range is very close to the field station, and it is relatively small, so this will minimize hours of walking to and from the monkeys’ on a daily basis.
Much of the work has an ecological component, rather than primatological and a large chunk of time will be dedicated to collecting botanical and other ecological data, rather than ‘monkey watching’, all day although behavioural observations of the Diana monkeys will make up a component of the work.
Qualifications/Experience:
-Minimum bachelor’s degree in a related science discipline
-Experience working on a scientific project, in particular collecting data. Candidates who have worked in this way with primates or other mammals will be given priority
-Experience working/traveling in developing countries
-Proficient computer experience using Word and Excel
-Proficient in written and spoken English (which is spoken widely in Sierra Leone)
-Candidate must be able to work independently and often *alone* (i.e. being the only expatriate) in a remote rainforest, although the field assistant will be working with Sierra Leonean staff for the study. This means the candidate should not suffer easily from loneliness. There is phone coverage at the research station, but email is not possible, although it is available in Kenema.
Working in developing Africa requires one to have extreme patience and flexibility on a day to day basis.
Monthly trips back to Kenema will be required to touch base with the project, stock up on food supplies, etc. Local food can be purchased in nearby village whilst at the field station (rice, cassava leaf, groundnuts, in season fruit and vegetables). It can be possible to arrange food to be sent from Kenema in between visits if necessary.
Salary/funding:
-200 euros/month
-Reimbursement of the cost of a Sierra Leonean visa
-*Possibly* reimbursement of a return flight to Sierra Leone after successful completion of the position (in process of acquiring approval)
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
-Accommodation in the Research station which has electricity (solar/generator), running water (including a flush toilet), and a gas cooker
-Simple accommodation in Kenema as needed
-Housekeeping and laundry services
-Transportation to and from the airport
-Forest kit (raingear, boots, binoculars)
-Laptop computer
Term of Appointment:
early January 2010- end of June 2010 (6 months)
Application Deadline:
10 November 2009; although if suitable candidate is not found we will reopen position
Comments:
To apply
Send a CV, which includes information about your biological education and experience, and the contact details of 2-3 references via email, with the subject line ‘Diana monkey field asst application’ to Dr Jessica Ganas (see contact details below).
Contact Information:
Dr Jessica Ganas
164 Dama Road
Kenema
Sierra Leone
Telephone Number:
+232 (0)76 271 091
E-mail Address:
jessica.ganas@rspb.org.uk