vendredi 24 août 2012

Resident Researcher for Projet Grands Singes, Cameroon



Hiring Organization:
Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp


Date Posted:
2012-08-10


Position Description:
PGS is looking for a Resident Researcher who will join the PGS research team in Cameroon and work on great ape conservation-applied research or a related topic in the area, with the possibility of University affiliation for postdoctoral work. Likely areas of research include great ape socio-ecology, diet, ranging patterns, nest-building behaviour, etc; botany, phenology and forest composition; human-animal wildlife conflict mitigation; the impacts of commercial logging and its associated problems on great ape populations; hunting pressure surveys and village forest mammal inventories, socio-economic surveys, etc, but this list is not restricted and we welcome project ideas from candidates. Likely activities in the forest research site will involve walking daily on transects to gather indirect information on great ape ecology, diet and behaviour; work in the villages and nearby markets for studies on bushmeat offtake and consumption in the region, etc. The Resident Researcher is welcome to propose his/her own research/study idea.

The second role of the Resident Researcher will be the general overview of PGS activities in the field, and he/she will be expected to report to the Project Director on a monthly basis and to the In-country Coordinator on a daily basis, as required. They will be expected to take charge of camp management and dealing with local personnel, assisted by the PGS authorised researchers at camp at the time; providing images and reports from the field on a monthly basis for reporting and project publicity; and monitoring of the integrity of the research site and the project’s objectives in the field.

The successful candidate will be provided with necessary research equipment; satellite phone; lodging in the city, village and research site (lodging in the research site and probably village as well will be in a tent); and use of facilities where available (city: hot water, internet, electricity, gas; village and research site: gas for cooking, possibility of limited power for light and some computer use; in country transport). You will be accompanied at all times by a trained and knowledgeable local guide, Cameroonian or international researcher, or member of the PGS team. However, you will often and regularly be the only expat worker staying at the research site. It is estimated that you will spend 4-6 weeks in the field and 2 weeks in Yaoundé when necessary, to work on data entry, analysis and report-writing, and although this can be flexible, the emphasis is on the Resident Researcher being able to offer a more permanent presence in the field.


Qualifications/Experience:
An interest in conservation or research of great apes or other wildlife and/or rural development and socio-economics is necessary. Academic background in conservation biology or a related is essential, preferably post graduate or doctorate level. Physical fitness and tolerance of tough conditions and isolation for periods of time is an advantage. Knowledge of French is essential and an experience of living and working in Central Africa would be hugely beneficial. The Resident Researcher will be expected to spend some field missions in the research camp alone, possibly within 3 months of arrival, with no other researcher present and with local guides and cooks to manage, etc. It is therefore important to be comfortable with living in isolation for weeks at a time while maintaining high spirits and professionalism.


Salary/funding:
The Resident Researcher will receive a stipend of €500/calendar month (into a bank account in home country) and one return flight from Yaoundé to home country (reimbursed after completion of appointment). Holiday and time to travel within the country or continent is flexible and can be discussed prior to appointing overseas. Travel home during the appointment is possible, but PGS cannot fund the travel. PGS will cover a short-term tourist visa cost to enter Cameroon, and a long term residency (2 years) once in country; however the Resident Researcher must cover all other costs related to their travel (ie, insurance, vaccinations, etc) and should bring a tent, sleeping bag, suitable clothing, medicines and other personal items required for living in the forest/village.


Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Food and drink is not supplied. Field worker must buy their own food prior to each entry into the forest (estimated at €2/day in the field, but possibly twice that when in the city). In country travel for work is covered by PGS.


Term of Appointment:
This position is for 24 months (although shorter contracts will be considered) and is available from late 2012/early 2013 (with some degree of flexibility).


Application Deadline:
For more information, interested candidates should write to Nikki.tagg@kmda.org with a cover letter and CV before 30th September 2012.


Contact Information:
Rue 1.859
Yaounde, none BP 5619
Cameroon


Telephone Number:
00447901877622


Website:


E-mail Address: