Hiring Organization:
Azafady
Date Posted:
2012-05-29
Position Description:
Title: Volunteer Research Assistant for the Azafady Conservation Programme
Location of Post: Based in Fort Dauphin and working throughout bordering communes in Anosy Region
Supervisor: Research and Project Co-ordinator
Background of the post
Azafady is a UK registered charity and Malagasy NGO working in
partnership with disadvantaged communities to improve living standards
and quality of life in positive coexistence with the fragile and unique
local environment. Founded in 1994, the organisation works in 30 of the
most impoverished villages on the globe and in the urban centre of Fort
Dauphin, south and south east Madagascar, home to a population of some
300,000 people.
Azafady’s Environment Department and the Azafady Conservation Programme
(ACP), which accepts international volunteers to work on Azafady’s
conservation projects on the ground, are working in tandem with local
people to aid the conservation of the threatened forests in the south
east of Madagascar. The Azafady Conservation Programme collects data
essential for conducting research on the endemic and threatened flora
and fauna, in particular lemurs, herpetofauna and endangered palms. The
ACP also implements community conservation initiatives such as
environmental education in the village school, conservation club,
conservation through English lessons, fuel-efficient stove building and
World Environment Day festivities, as well as supporting the Environment
Department’s reforestation projects. The Environmental Department has
established a reforestation project which provides local communities
with over 30,000 trees per year, reducing the human impact on the native
forests.
ONG Azafady is now looking to recruit a motivated and dynamic individual
to assist the Coordinator of the Azafady Conservation Programme. The
person will work with our local staff and assist with co-ordinating
volunteers in conducting field research on the endemic and endangered
flora and fauna of Sainte Luce, approximately 40km north of Fort
Dauphin. The individual will be expected to manage and supervise the
research projects in the absence of the coordinator and assist the
Project co-ordinator in all aspects of their job role. This will involve
assisting in the induction and instruction of international volunteers
in research methods and daily tasks while ensuring volunteers are happy
and satisfied with the programme wherever possible. You will also be
required to assist the Project coordinator with data entry/analysis,
report writing, organising equipment and communicating with Azafady
staff and the local community.
Duties and responsibilities
The research assistant will work in collaboration with Azafady Malagasy staff in the following activities;
• To assist in the development and implementation of the research
programme for the coastal littoral forest fragments in Sainte Luce
• To ensure the project targets are met
• To assist in the organisation and logistics for the research programme
including equipment and the resources required for the research
• To implement, with the assistance of international and Malagasy staff,
the research required to complete the projects organised by the Project
co-ordinator.
• To supervise volunteers during their time in the field
• To monitor data collection in the field
• To assist in training of volunteers in the field research techniques required to implement the programmes
• To ensure good communication and team relations with Volunteers, Azafady staff and local staff
• To assist the Project coordinator in the organisation of research excursions
• Any other tasks the Director/ Project Coordinator deems necessary within the broad remit of this role
• Able to commit for a period of one year
Qualifications/Experience:
Personal specification;
• Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in conservation issues
• A qualification in a related discipline
• Specialist knowledge of either primatology, herpetology, botany or environmental education is desirable
• Able to or willing to learn to safely handle and identify reptiles and amphibians
• Previous experience living or working in a developing country would be an asset
• Good IT skills
• Ability to grasp and carryout instruction in challenging environments and maintain a good sense of humour
• First aid certificate
• Working Knowledge of GPS and/or GIS is an advantage
• A good degree of initiative, motivation and commitment
• Excellent organisational and time management skills is a must
• 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
• Ability to spend long periods of time in basic camping conditions
Support
provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Pay
and conditions – Food and local transport will be provided whilst on
projects. All other costs will need to be covered by the candidate,
including accommodation when in town.
Application Deadline:
8th June 2012
Comments:
Anyone
interested in applying for this position should send a detailed CV and a
cover letter explaining how their skills and experience match the
requirements in the Job Description to Mark Jacobs, by email or by post.
Contact
Information:
Studio 7, 1a Beethoven Street
London W10 4LG
United Kingdom
Telephone Number:
+ 44 (0) 20 8960 6629
Fax Number:
+ 44 (0) 20 8962 0126
Website:
E-mail Address: