Offre de stage de 2 mois pour Avril-Mail 2022 dans le domaine de la cognition chez la poule domestique

Analyse des comportements d’incertitude lors d’un test de recherche d’informations et lien avec les performances cognitives chez la poule domestique. 

Stage Master 1 pour une durée de 2 mois (Avril-Mai 2022) 

Date limite de candidature : 15 Janvier 2022 

Contexte 

L’amélioration du bien-être des animaux d’élevage passe nécessairement par une meilleure connaissance de leurs capacités cognitives, permettant de mieux appréhender la manière dont ils perçoivent et traitent les informations de leur environnement. La poule domestique est l’animal de rente le plus élevé au monde, et a été historiquement étudiée en cognition aviaire. Plus particulièrement, des études récentes mettent en évidence des capacités cognitives complexes chez la poule (Garnham et Lovlie 2018 ; Marino 2017) qui font appel notamment à la mémoire déclarative, qui permet de manipuler mentalement des informations mémorisées dans le but de résoudre un problème. Ce stage s’intègre dans un projet de recherche visant à évaluer les capacités cognitives relationnelles de la poule domestique. Objectif L’incertitude est un état subjectif qui dépend du niveau d’accessibilité de l’information (perception) et du jugement (métacognition) qu’a un individu d’une situation donnée (Roberts et al 2012 ; Nakamura et al 2011). Chez l’animal non-humain, l’existence d’ incertitude lors d’une prise de décision peut être expérimentée via le test des tubes inclinés, qui exploite le comportement naturel de recherche de nourriture de l’animal (Schloegl et al 2009 ; Crystal et Foote 2011). Dans ce test, le comportement de recherche est observé en fonction de la visibilité ou non de la nourriture dans le dispositif. Lorsque l’incertitude sur l’emplacement de la nourriture augmente (par exemple lorsque la nourriture n’est pas visible), l’état d’incertitude de l’animal peut être inféré en fonction de l’augmentation de certains comportements reflétant l’effort de recherche. En plus de permettre une évaluation de l’état d’incertitude de l’animal, le test des tubes inclinés fait ressortir des stratégies comportementales individuelles lors de la recherche d’informations. Ces stratégies pourraient sous-tendre un profil comportemental particulier (personnalité). Elles pourraient notamment être reliées à la capacité des individus à inférer l’emplacement de la nourriture par exclusion (si je ne la vois pas dans A, alors elle est dans B). 

Missions 

Le stage consistera en une analyse approfondie de vidéos qui ont été enregistrées lors du test des tubes inclinés chez la poule domestique. Les résultats devront être analysés et discutés à la lumière de la littérature scientifique pour produire un rapport de stage. Les résultats pourront être mis en lien avec la capacité d’inférence par exclusion. Les analyses vidéo se feront via le logiciel BORIS auquel l’étudiant.e pourra être formé.e. L’analyse statistiques se fera via le logiciel R ou associés. 

Profil recherché 

Formation spécialisée en éthologie / psychologie cognitive souhaitable ainsi que des connaissances pour l’analyse statistique. Compréhension de l’anglais écrit. Connaissance des méthodes d’observation éthologiques, bonne capacités d’analyse et rigueur scientifique. Une connaissance des problématiques liées au bien-être animal et/ou des connaissances en neuropsychologie seront un plus. 

Conditions d’accueil et durée du stage 

L’équipe de recherche CEB (Cognition, Ethologie, Bien-être animal) d’INRAE de Nouzilly (37) étudie les processus mentaux impliqués dans les émotions, la relation homme-animal et les capacités d’apprentissage des animaux domestiques (oiseaux, cheval). 

https://www6.val-deloire.inrae.fr/umrprc-ethologie-cognition 

L’étudiant.e sera accueuilli.e pour une durée de 2 mois à partir de début Avril, la date de début de stage étant flexible. 

Stage à temps plein (35h/semaine) non rémunéré. 

Encadrement Rachel Degrande (Doctorante) et Ludovic Calandreau (DR2, HDR, PhD) 

Contact 

Merci d’envoyer votre candidature par mail à rachel.degrande@inrae.fr avant le 15 Janvier 2022. 

La candidature comprend un CV mis à jour et une lettre de motivation d’une page reflétant votre intérêt pour le stage et son adéquation avec votre formation et/ou votre projet professionnel. 

Références 

Crystal and Foote (2011) Evaluating information-seeking approaches to metacognition. Current Zoology. doi : 10.1093/czoolo/57.4.531 Ganrham and Lovlie (2018) Sophisticated Fowl: The Complex Behaviour and Cognitive Skills of Chickens and Red Junglefowl. Behavioural Sciences. doi : 10.3390/bs8010013 Marino (2017) Thinking chickens: a review of cognition, emotion, and behavior in the domestic chicken. Animal Cognition. doi : 10.1007/s10071-016-1064-4 Nakamura and al (2011) Do birds (pigeons and bantams) know how confident they are of their perceptual decisions?. Animal Cognition. doi : 10.1007/s10071-010-0345-6 Roberts and al (2012) Information Seeking in Animals: Metacognition?. Comparative Cognition & Behavior Reviews. doi : 10.3819/ccbr.2012.70005 Schloegl and al (2009) What You See Is What You Get? Exclusion Performances in Ravens and Keas. PLoS ONE. doi : 10.1371/journal.pone.000636

Stage de M1 ou L3: Conséquences de l’augmentation de la salinité environnementale sur le développement du crapaud épineux (Bufo spinosus)

 

Unité d’accueil : Centre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université

Encadrement : François Brischoux et Léa Lorrain-Soligon (CEBC)

Contact : francois.brischoux@cebc.cnrs.fr; lea.lorrain-soligon@cebc.cnrs.fr

Dates et durée du stage : 2 mois, période flexible entre février et juin (et ajustable en fonction du calendrier de formation)

La salinisation de l’environnement a été identifiée comme une menace globale pour l’ensemble des systèmes terrestres et océaniques. L’impact global de la salinisation sur la biodiversité est en voie de devenir un problème de conservation majeur, puisqu’elle peut avoir des conséquences importantes sur l’utilisation de l’habitat et les budgets énergétiques chez de nombreuses espèces. Mais les espèces d’amphibien sont particulièrement à risque, du fait de leurs faibles capacités de dispersion, de leur peau très perméable, et de leurs larves dépendantes du milieu aquatique, ce qui les rend particulièrement sensibles à la qualité de l’eau.

Le sujet de ce stage vise ainsi à étudier les conséquences d’une salinité relativement élevée sur le développement ontogénétique d’une espèce d’anoure (Bufo spinosus) grâce à une approche expérimentale en milieu contrôlé au CEBC. Des populations continentales (jamais exposées à la salinité) et côtières, seront exposés à des concentrations de salinité comprises dans la gamme de salinité mesurée sur le terrain. Cela nous permettra de comprendre les conséquences à moyen et long terme du développement des embryons (oeufs) et des larves (têtards) dans un environnement salinisé, à travers des approches morphométriques, physiologiques, et comportementales.

 

Connaissances et compétences requises : Connaissance en écophysiologie et écologie. Un intérêt particulier pour l’expérimentation en milieux contrôlés. Rigueur, autonomie, mobilité, biostatistiques.

Il est possible de loger sur le laboratoire (90-110€/mois).

 

 

 

PhD studentship: Tool crafting in New Caledonian crows (deadline: 03 December 2021)

 A fully-funded PhD studentship for research on New Caledonian crows is available in Professor Christian Rutz’s group at the University of St Andrews, UK (deadline: 03 December 2021). A summary is provided below, and the full advert can be found on FindAPhD: 

 

https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/tool-crafting-in-new-caledonian-crows/?p125512 

 

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SUMMARY 

New Caledonian crows are renowned for their ability to manufacture complex foraging tools from plant materials. For example, using an elaborate sequence of actions, they craft hooked stick tools from branching vegetation, and employing completely different techniques, they cut a variety of tool shapes from the barbed edges of screw-pine leaves. Professor Christian Rutz’s research group has been studying the behavioural ecology of New Caledonian crows since 2005, focussing on seven established study sites. Building on some of the group’s recent advances, this PhD project will provide a detailed investigation of the tool-manufacture behaviour of wild crows. There is considerable flexibility with regards to specific study objectives, but the successful candidate is likely to conduct both field observations and aviary-based experiments with temporarily captive subjects, with excellent scope for collaboration with other group members and external project partners. This fully-funded PhD project offers exciting opportunities for a highly motivated student to join a dynamic research group, to conduct topical research on the behavioural ecology of one of the most accomplished non-human tool users, and to receive training in state-of-the-art field-ornithological research methodologies. 

 

CENTRE FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 

The Centre for Biological Diversity (CBD) at the University of St Andrews provides a highly interactive and stimulating environment for doctoral students, with particular strengths in animal behaviour and evolution. The successful candidate would benefit from frequent interactions with postgraduates, postdocs and PIs, including lab chats, seminars, and discussion groups. 

 

CONTACT 

Please address any inquiries, with CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in the position, to Professor Christian Rutz (christian.rutz@st-andrews.ac.uk). Before you get in touch, please consult the references listed below, to get a good understanding of the group’s current research activities. All formal applications must be made through the university’s Online Application Portal (see below). 

 

SELECTION CRITERIA 

+ outstanding academic track record 

+ excellent analytical, writing and communication skills 

+ demonstrable skill and enthusiasm for behavioural research and fieldwork 

+ high degree of self-motivation and independence 

+ ability and willingness to live and work overseas, for extended periods of time and sometimes under challenging field conditions 

+ clean driving licence 

+ prior research experience is an advantage 

+ basic French language skills are an advantage 

 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please make a formal application to the School of Biology through our Online Application Portal: 

 

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/apply/postgraduate/research/ 

 

We require the following documents: CV, personal statement, 2 references, academic qualifications, English language qualification (if applicable). 

 

Keywords: Animal Behaviour, Behavioural Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology, Animal Cognition, Tool Use, Social Learning, Cultural Evolution 

 

FUNDING NOTES 

Funded PhD Project (UK and international students (including EU)). 

Funded by the School of Biology, University of St Andrews. The studentship covers tuition fees (Home and Overseas) and a living allowance for a duration of 3.5 years. 

 

REFERENCES 

Hunt GR (1996) Manufacture and use of hook-tools by New Caledonian crows. Nature 379, 249-251. 

Hunt GR, and Gray RD (2003) Diversification and cumulative evolution in New Caledonian crow tool manufacture. Proc. R. Soc. B 270, 867-874. 

Hunt GR, and Gray RD (2004) The crafting of hook tools by wild New Caledonian crows. Proc. R. Soc. B (Suppl. 3) 271, S88-S90. 

Hunt GR, and Gray RD (2004) Direct observations of pandanus-tool manufacture and use by a New Caledonian crow (Corvus moneduloides). Anim. Cogn. 7, 114-120. 

Kenward B, Weir AAS, Rutz C, and Kacelnik A (2005) Tool manufacture by naïve juvenile crows. Nature 433, 121. 

Klump BC, Cantat M, and Rutz C (2019) Raw-material selectivity in hook-tool-crafting New Caledonian crows. Biol. Lett. 15, 20180836. 

Klump BC, Sugasawa S, St Clair JJH, and Rutz C (2015) Hook tool manufacture in New Caledonian crows: behavioural variation and the influence of raw materials. BMC Biol. 13, 97. 

Rutz C, Hunt GR, and St Clair JJH (2018) Corvid technologies: how do New Caledonian crows get their tool designs? Curr. Biol. 28, R1109-R1111. 

Rutz C, and Hunt GR (2020) New Caledonian crows afford invaluable comparative insights into human cumulative technological culture. Behav. Brain Sci. 43, E177. 

Rutz C, Klump BC, Komarczyk L, Leighton R, Kramer J, Wischnewski S, Sugasawa S, Morrissey MB, James R, St Clair JJH, Switzer RA, and Masuda BM (2016) Discovery of species-wide tool use in the Hawaiian crow. Nature 537, 403-407. 

Rutz C, and St Clair JJH (2012) The evolutionary origins and ecological context of tool use in New Caledonian crows. Behav. Processes 89, 153-165. 

Rutz C, Sugasawa S, van der Wal JEM, Klump BC, St Clair JJH. 2016 Tool bending in New Caledonian crows. R. Soc. Open Sci. 3, 160439. 

St Clair JJH, Klump BC, Sugasawa S, Higgott CG, Colegrave N, and Rutz C (2018) Hook innovation boosts foraging efficiency in tool-using crows. Nature Ecol. Evol. 2, 441-444. 

St Clair JJH, Klump BC, van der Wal JEM, Sugasawa S, and Rutz C (2016) Strong between-site variation in New Caledonian crows’ use of hook-tool-making materials. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 118, 226-232. 

St Clair JJH, Rutz C (2013) New Caledonian crows attend to multiple functional properties of complex tools. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 368, 20120415. 

Steele MP, Neaves LE, Klump BC, St Clair JJH, Fernandes JRSM, Hequet V, Shaw P, Hollingsworth PM, and Rutz C (2021) DNA barcoding identifies cryptic animal tool materials. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci., USA 118, e2020699118. 

Sugasawa S, Klump BC, St Clair JJH, and Rutz C (2017) Causes and consequences of tool shape variation in New Caledonian crows. Curr. Biol. 27, 3885-3890. 

Stage M2

Role of sleep in birdsong learning During our daily life, we use a variety of gradually learned motor skills, such as riding a bike, playing guitar, or even speaking. Speech is a fundamental behavior acquired through sensorimotor learning during which a baby discovers the sets of action to execute for saying a new word through motor exploration and perception of her own actions. Previous research indicates that the basal ganglia (BG) are a likely candidate which could evaluate the discrepancy between expected and actual outcome and guide trial-and-error learning. While the BG drive behavioral adaptations that minimize errors early during learning, these adaptations are slowly incorporated in the downstream premotor cortical networks. It was proposed that the BG, through its subcortico-cortical loop, stabilize these adaptations by training premotor cortical areas. We hypothesize that BG-cortical stabilization might occur during sleep through active processes, such as coordination of large neuronal assemblies between BG-cortical areas, which is a putative neurophysiological substrate allowing the long-term imprinting of recently acquired skills. To disentangle the BG-cortical dynamics during motor skill learning and the impact of sleep on these dynamics, we use the songbird model and study the acquisition of their song learning behavior. Song learning is a natural form of sensorimotor learning akin to human speech acquisition during which a juvenile learns his song by imitating an adult bird (a tutor). Sleep in songbirds include mammalian-like features and is crucial for song learning. Moreover, songbirds have a set of interconnected brain nuclei dedicated to song, including a BG-thalamocortical loop, and that shares analogies with brain areas involved in human language. Songbirds thus represent an outstanding animal model for understanding the neurobiological bases of motor skill learning and the role of sleep. The main hypothesis is that sleep plays a critical role in the dynamical reorganization of the BG-cortical network and the consolidation of song. We perform large-scale electrophysiological recordings in freely moving birds (with Neuropixel probes) allowing the simultaneous recording of up to 384 channels. The master student will be required to establish a user-friendly analysis pipeline of the acquired data from the raw recordings to a fully processed and exploitable dataset with up-to-date computational tools. Data to be analyzed include both neuronal (spikes, local field potential) and acoustic (birdsong) signals from awake and sleeping birds. Programming skills in Python or Matlab are mandatory for this project. The master student must also be comfortable with experiments involving live animals. Project supervisor : Giret Nicolas nicolas.giret@universite-paris-saclay.fr 00331.69.82.63.68 Laboratory/ Institute : Institut des Neurosciences Paris SaclayUMR9197 CNRS Université Paris Saclay, 151, route de la Rotonde 91400 Saclay https://neuropsi.cnrs.fr

Msc research project internship Breeding ecology

 Msc research project

Breeding ecology of northern lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) in Alsace, France

Place:

Équipe Adaptation des VErtébrés marins aux Changements environnementaux (AVEC)

Département Écologie, Physiologie, Éthologie (DEPE)

Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC)

UMR7178 CNRS/Université de Strasbourg

23,  Rue du Loess – 67200 Strasbourg, France

Fieldwork in Alsace, focused on Bas-Rhin (67) and the northern part of Haut-Rhin (68)

Supervisors:

Reinier van den Berg (PhD Candidate, IPHC-DEPE & Faunastats)

Celine Le Bohec (PhD co-director, IPHC-DEPE)

Anna Nesterova (PhD co-supervisor, Faunastats)

Period:

February 2022 - July 2022 (6 months)

Field period:

March 2022 - Early July 2022 (4.5 months)

Keywords:

Northern lapwing, camera trap, hatching, breeding, fieldwork, behaviour

Background:

The northern lapwing is a meadow bird that can be found breeding across Europe, and in France north of the line Bordeaux - Lyon (Deceuninck 2001). Despite being found in so many places and in significant numbers, the population of lapwings has been on a steady decline both in Europe as well as in France (Birdlife International 2017, Deceuninck 2001), with an estimated decline of 15% for breeding pairs in France between 2001 and 2019 (Fontaine et al. 2020). Reasons for this decline include predation, habitat loss, and agricultural intensification (Leyrer et al., 2018).

While these factors remain important throughout the reproductive range of the species, the degree to which each may affect breeding outcomes can vary between locations and over time (Seymour 2003). Additionally, the type of threat may be different between locations as well: Depending on habitat there can be different principal nest predators for ground-nesting birds (Holopainen et al. 2021) and we might expect that nests in France may be vulnerable to predation by wild boar (Darinot, 2014). 

Increasingly, nest predation is assessed by placing cameras near active nests. This can provide an accurate image of the principal nest predators in an area while being minimally disruptive (Teunissen et al. 2008, Laidlaw et al. 2020). 

As part of a larger project investigating northern lapwings in France, this project will follow nests of breeding northern lapwings with nest cameras until after hatching, to investigate the following questions:

• What is the hatching success for northern lapwings breeding in Alsace? 

• Is predation the main driver of hatching success, or are different factors more impactful in Alsace?

• Do chicks stay around the nest longer based on environmental conditions? (If time is available)

Student responsibilities:

The successful master student will be expected to perform varied tasks during the field season, as well as (part of) the analysis of the data they collect. These tasks include:

Searching for breeding lapwing pairs at sites known to be attractive to breeding lapwings, locating the nests of these pairs, placing and maintaining nest cameras at the nests, documenting the direct environment of the nest, organizing and storing data collected by the cameras. These responsibilities will be spread throughout the study area, and the student will be driving her/himself between sites.

Analysing footage collected by the cameras to determine nest fate, analysing the footage for the time of hatching and subsequent behaviour of chicks around the nest, statistical analysis of the data obtained (both for the project and for the internship report).

Required Qualities:

Drivers’ License B (car)

Good organisational skills

Passion for ecology and/or animal behaviour

Desired qualities:

Spoken and written English, 

Previous field experience

Previous experience with animal observation

Familiarity with R / Rstudio

Experience observing birds

Acquired Competences and Skills:

Fieldwork experience

Behavioural observations

Data analysis

Data management

Data cleaning

Reimbursement:

Standard stipend for a Msc internship of over 2 months in France (591,51€ / month)

Travel costs on the field reimbursed

Co-authorship may be involved for papers produced through the work performed during this internship following scientific-ethical guidelines.

Application process:

Please send your CV and a letter of motivation to:

Reinier van den Berg (rvandenb@iphc.cnrs.fr) 

Bibliography

BirdLife International. (2017). European birds of conservation concern: populations, trends and national responsibilities. https://www.birdlife.org/sites/default/files/attachments/European Birds of Conservation Concern_Low.pdf

Darinot, F. (2014). Impact du sanglier (Sus scrofa) et de la corneille noire (Corvus corone) sur les prairies et l’avifaune nicheuse de la Réserve naturelle nationale du Marais de Lavours (Ain). Bulletin Mensuel de La Société Linnéenne de Lyon, 3(1), 260–270. https://doi.org/10.3406/linly.2014.13881

Deceuninck, B. (2001). Breeding waders in France: populations, trends and distributions: 1984-1996. Wader Study Group Bull., 95, 45–50.

Fontaine B., Moussy C., Chiffard Carricaburu J., Dupuis J., C. E., & Schmaltz L., Lorrillière R., Loïs G., G. C. (2020). Suivi des oiseaux communs en France 1989-2019 : 30 ans de suivis participatifs. MNHN- Centre d’Ecologie et des Sciences de la Conservation, LPO BirdLife France - Service Connaissance, Ministère de la Transition écologique et solidaire. 46 pp.

Holopainen, S., Väänänen, V. M., Vehkaoja, M., & Fox, A. D. (2021). Do alien predators pose a particular risk to duck nests in Northern Europe? Results from an artificial nest experiment. Biological Invasions, 2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02608-2

Laidlaw, R. A., Gunnarsson, T. G., Méndez, V., Carneiro, C., Þórisson, B., Wentworth, A., Gill, J. A., & Alves, J. A. (2020). Vegetation structure influences predation rates of early nests in subarctic breeding waders. Ibis. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12827

Leyrer, J., Brown, D., Gerritsen, G., Hötker, H., & Ottvall, R. (2018). International Multi- species Action Plan for the Conservation of Breeding Waders in Wet Grassland Habitats in Europe (2018-2028). Report of Action A13 under the framework of Project LIFE EuroSAP (LIFE14 PRE/UK/002). NABU, RSPB, VBN and SOF. 1–75.

Seymour, A. S., Harris, S., Ralston, C., & White, P. C. L. (2003). Factors influencing the nesting success of Lapwings Vanellus vanellus and behaviour of Red Fox Vulpes vulpes in Lapwing nesting sites. Bird Study, 50(1), 39–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/00063650309461288

Teunissen, W., Schekkerman, H., Willems, F., & Majoor, F. (2008). Identifying predators of eggs and chicks of Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa in the Netherlands and the importance of predation on wader reproductive output. Ibis, 150(SUPPL.1), 74–85. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2008.00861.x

VACANCY – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 The Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (CWOT) in northern Zambia is one of the oldest and largest chimpanzee sanctuaries in the world. It is home to almost 150 chimpanzees on more than 4,200 Ha (10,000 acres) of wooded land on the banks of the Upper Kafue River in the Copperbelt region.

Our mission is to provide refuge and exemplary care to chimpanzees in need and offer life-long care for chimpanzees taken in.

Furthermore, Chimfunshi aims to preserve and develop its land and conservation area within the framework of a holistic concept. This involves the protection of the indigenous environment as well as the protection and conservation of our local wildlife. Support and development of the local community, including child & adult education and dedicated education for sustainable development over all age groups, employee career development; and health care to Chimfunshi’s employees, their families and the local community is a lived part of the holistic concept too.

The Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (CWOT) seeks to recruit very dynamic self-driven professional, suitably qualified, experienced and competent to fill the position below.

 

Position: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 

Key Basic Functions: The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for establishing and executing major goals and objectives for CWOT. The ED implements policies established by the Board of Trustees, provides leadership, direction and evaluation of the organization’s activities, and directs the day-to-day operations. The ED is responsible for CWOT financial management, public relations and personnel management and serves as a liaison with other organizations. S/he represents the organization to regulatory bodies, other agencies, community and civic organizations, donors, funders, supporters and the general public. The duties may be delegated to appropriate members of the staff, but the Executive Director will retain accountability for their accomplishment.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

 

a)    Spearheading planning, policy formation and continuous development of the organization to achieve sustainability & viability of the Trust as well as ensuring that key performance indicators are consistently met in accordance with the business and operational objectives of CWOT

b)    Provision of vision and leadership to create or update strategic plans in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and to ensure the implementation of strategic plans

c)    Responsibility for the mobilization of resources required for the implementation of the CWOT’s strategic plans

d)    Leading, motivating and evaluating other management staff to manage daily operations

e)    Provision of leadership in maintaining the efficiency, effectiveness and good governance of CWOT, ensuring adequate operational, financial and administrative functions of the Trust.

f)     Responsibility for maintaining the visibility of the Trust and representing the organization to regulatory bodies, other agencies, community and civic organizations, donors, funders, supporters and the general public

g)    Cultivating and maintaining strategic partnerships with other conservation and animal protection organizations and agencies worldwide, as well as relationships with sanctuary leaders, donors, and foundation representatives

 

Minimum Academic Qualifications: Master’s degree in either Natural Resource / Wildlife Management; or Business Administration; or Tourism; or Marketing; or Law; or any other course closely related to any of the above disciplines from a recognized University/Institution. A qualification in project management would be an added advantage. Excellent written and oral communication skills; effective public speaker and presenter.

 

Personal Specifications & Experience: Mission directed, results-driven and achievement oriented, dynamic, visionary, proactive with good sense of judgment / discernment.  At least five years’ experience preferably with an NGO at senior management level and in wildlife management and/or natural resources management. Candidates should be able to demonstrate good track record in turning around organization image and performance into a competitive and vibrant institution able to command the respect of stakeholders through innovation, change management and systems building. Strong technology skills; experience leading a data-driven approach to development. Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) and CRM project management tools.

A passion for the mission and purpose of CWOT.

 

Desired Skills & competencies: Project development and management, administrative, strategic planning, negotiation, lobbying, proven track record of researching funders and writing successful grant proposals (with evidence of having successfully fundraised for at least 2 programs/projects), knowledge of fundraising best practices, as well as interpersonal, fundraising, leadership and team building skills.

 

LOCATION: Position is based at Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, our sanctuary in Zambia/Copperbelt region, near Chingola.

 

Interested candidates please send a detailed CV, copies of your academic testimonials, names and addresses of two referees and a letter describing your interest to: louis@chimfunshi.de 

 

Deadline for expressions of interest: Monday 22 November