Description:
The BonDiv project (www.bondiv.org) is seeking field managers for different research sites located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The BonDiv project is a large-scale collaborative research project that aims to investigate and document bonobo intraspecific diversity, allowing for simultaneous study of multiple sympatric species at 30 sites within the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each site will be managed by two people with complementary expertise in local culture, on the ground, and scientific knowledge, and will have a duration of 12-15 months.
The successful candidates will be responsible for data and sample collection, including detailed data on bonobo ecology, food availability, prey species, other sympatric wildlife, climate, human impact, and social surveys, and organic samples for genetic, pathogen, diet, metabolomics, and isotope analyses. Furthermore, the candidate will be responsible for the installation of remote video cameras and subsequent regular revisits for maintenance and data download. The candidate will be further responsible for data entry, sample storage, and monthly reporting of progress and results. Finally, the candidate will be responsible for coordinating the project activities for the site, hiring and supervising 2-3 local field assistants, staying within a fixed budget, and managing the field site.
Research sites are located in exceptionally remote regions, with no (or very little) internet connection (but with access to a satellite communicator). Positions will begin with a training workshop in Kinshasa, DRC, at the end of 2022/beginning of 2023, followed by 12 to 15 continuous months at the respective field site.
We encourage all candidates to familiarize themselves with their country’s travel advisories before applying. Be advised, that all activities will fall within the geographic range of the bonobo, comprising the provinces of Tshuapa, Tshopo, Mai-Ndombe, Equateur, and Maniema.
Required skills:
- undergraduate degree in biology or a related field
- at least 6 months of fieldwork experience, preferably in remote areas of the tropics
- conversational competency in French and English
- to be proficient with email communication, MS Excel, and Word
- physically fit and capable of working long days in tropical rainforest
- good interpersonal and communication skills, including a strong ability to work independently (potentially with some previous experience managing the work of others), capability to lead and manage an international team, be mentally fit and resistant to stress, communicate clearly and regularly via remote connections with coordinator/directors, and comfortable to live and work in a context and culture potentially significantly different than your own
- some previous experience or demonstratable capability to manage project financing, keep the expenses within a set budget, and maintain regular reporting of expenses
- willing and able to live away from developed areas, isolated and with minimal living conditions (no plumbing, electricity, or housing) in extremely remote locations
Preferred skills:
- fieldwork experience with apes
- experience with GPS, camera traps, and biological sample collection
- to be proficient with Cybertracker, QGIS, BaseCamp/MapSource
Expectations of conduct:
- respectful to members of local communities and wildlife
- honest and accountable communication with project management
- no drug use (including alcohol) allowed in camp or during working hours
- sexual and/or gender-based harassment of any type will not be tolerated
- failure of any of these points will be grounds for immediate dismissal at your own expense
What we offer:
- unique opportunity to work in the central African rainforest with the world’s least know ape species
- rigorous training and proficiency in diverse research and scientific methods relevant for careers in applied conservation and ecological research
- all expenses covered, including visa, roundtrip to Kinshasa (DRC), transport to/from the site, and lodging and food during the project
- all necessary equipment to perform diverse sets of research
- scientific contribution recognized in publications using samples or data that candidates collected
- 450USD monthly compensation
What candidates will need to cover:
- health insurance that covers emergency repatriation and liability, including COVID-related illness
- vaccinations required for entry into DRC prior to departure, and any medications recommended for remote field work, including malaria prophylaxis
- clothes, shoes, and personal field equipment (we will provide a suggested list)
Applications should be submitted by September 15th, including a CV, letter of interest highlighting qualifications/experience, and the names and emails of three references to info@bondiv.org with ‘Field managers’ in the subject line. Interviews will be via zoom.