Position Description:
Project Description and Background
The forest ecosystem of the coastal areas of Kenya and Tanzania is listed as one of the top global biodiversity hotspots by Conservation International. With high levels of endemic and near endemic species, these forests abound with plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Included in the primates are the nationally threatened Angolan black and white colobus (Colobus angolensis palliatus). This is a forest and woodland dependent species eating mainly leaves, flowers and fruits with a specially adapted digestive system that enables them to live in their unique environment. Their distinctive appearance has given them a unique place in local cultures and their reducing numbers is partly because they have long been hunted for their skins which have special significance in local African tribal customs.
Today however, the greatest threat to these primates is habitat destruction. In Kenya the once extensive coastal forests on which the Angolan colobus depend, has been reduced to a fragmented patchwork along a narrow coastal strip. This fragile resource is made up of gazetted forest reserves and conservation areas; community managed forests and woodlands, including culturally important sacred â??kayaâ?? forests; and privately owned forest and woodland patches. Sadly, forest loss and degradation is continuing due to pressures from agricultural expansion, urban development, tree cutting for firewood, charcoal, carving wood, and clearance for mining.
Colobus Conservation was established in 1997 as a not-for-profit organisation to promote conservation of the colobus monkeys and address the threats to its survival. The organization works in partnership with local communities to promote the conservation of the colobus, along with other endemic primate species, and the unique coastal forest habitat on which they depend. Today Colobus Conservation programmes focus on habitat conservation and community linkages as well as human/primate conflict management, welfare, education and research. The objectives and work of Colobus Conservation is recognised internationally by AZA Colobus Species Survival Plan (SSP), Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) accreditation and are supported by well known conservationists Jonathon and Angela Scott through their role as Patrons.
JOB TITLE: Voluntary Research Assistant - Colobus home range study
RESPONSIBLE TO: Conservation Manager
WORKING HOURS:
- Field time is scheduled on a 5 day rotation, working an average of 45 hours per week (2 field days at 6.5 hours, 1 field day at 13 hours, 1 office day at 8 hours for data input and one day off).
- Days off can be variable with prior arrangement, but these ideally should not disrupt the research schedule.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY:
Responsible for all aspects of data collection on three troops of wild Angolan colobus monkeys for comparative research investigating home range sizes and levels of aggression between troops inhabiting overlapping areas, with comparisons between heavily degraded, semi-degraded and good habitat types.
Each researcher will be allocated one habitat type and will research the troops specific to that area for the entirety of their six month commitment. Researchers will spend the majority of their data collection
time working alone in the field.
Primates and Research
- Carry out research & monitoring of primates in the field as per research protocols, including but not limited to focal follows, feeding ecology, proximity and sleeping site analysis,
- Ensure permission is granted to conduct research on a given site prior to entering,
- Ensure that complete, neat and accurate records and data are kept,
- Supervise the work and safety of any short term volunteers in the field,
- Perform any and all necessary research activities,
- Assist with data input,
- Inform the Conservation Manager when research equipment is breaking, becomes damaged or needs to be replaced,
- Help to train volunteers/new staff in research methods,
- Help to prepare reports/presentations related to the research.
Administration, Communication and Personnel
- Obtain receipts for all purchases and payments,
- Ensure any electronic equipment in your care is kept safe from theft and weather conditions, especially radio telemetry equipment, and GPS,
- Ensure safety regulations are met by at all times.
Additional Responsibilities
- Update the Conservation Manager as equipment wears out so repairs and replacements can be arranged;
- Perform any other duties as may be assigned by management from time to time.
NB Researchers are not permitted to take the data away, nor use it for any form of personal analysis, unless discussed with the Conservation Manager prior to arrival. With prior arrangement researchers may use their section of data for an MSc thesis or similar.
Qualifications/Experience:
Qualifications and Experience
Essential requirements
- Experience of working on a scientific research project, collecting and working systematically with data, ideally an observational/behavioural project
- and a university level qualification in animal behaviour, primate conservation, zoology or other relevant subject
- Foreign travel or living/work experience, within a developing country and ideally the tropics;
- Interest in animal behaviour, conservation and welfare;
- Ability to commit for six months;
- High degree of flexibility
In addition, applicants must have certain QUALITIES: they must be energetic, patient, open, responsible, flexible, healthy, able to work independently but also as part of a team, be highly motivated and not easily distracted by the holiday mentality found in Diani as a tourist destination.
Applicants must also be hardworking and able to keep going, and do so cheerfully! Our schedule is demanding and unconventional. The position is not ideal for someone who needs a lot of personal time, or for someone who easily feels lonely. The ideal applicant must be comfortable being unplugged and at a distance from easy communication with the outside world, although there is good mobile phone and e-mail communication, sometimes things just don't work.
They must also have above average resistance to social/psychological stress with a tolerance towards local customs and beliefs and be comfortable with conditions and risks that are simply part of tropical fieldwork, such as limited healthcare, monotonous diet, rare confrontations with noxious plants or animals.
Salary/funding:
Volunteer position
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Colobus Conservation Accommodation
Colobus Conservation offers a unique opportunity to live in a beautiful beach and forested area, with many western comforts due to the nature of this tourist destination. Our accommodation comprises;
- four bed single sex bedrooms in a communal house,
- hot/cold showers,
- food for 3 meals a day, lunch and dinner Monday - Saturday is prepared for you by our Chef. Sunday food is provided but you cook your own meals,
- laundry and housekeeping,
- security
- drinking water
There is good mobile phone and internet coverage, and using Sarfricom, the local network supplier, text messages to the UK are very cheap (approx 8p). This accommodation is also used for the Colobus Conservation volunteer programme, and as such there may be up to 12 people sharing the facilities at any one time. Many of the volunteers on this programme are not serious researches or qualified personnel and as such will be performing different duties and working different hours. Any person accepting this position needs to be aware of these differences.
Conditions
This is a volunteer position and as such no wage or stipend is currently available. The volunteer is responsible for their return flight to Mombasa, visa, which will need extending after 3 months for an additional 3 months, comprehensive medical insurance all field clothing, including adequate walking boots and airport transfers. Researchers are required to make a contribution of 11,000KSh per week towards the cost of their accommodation and food (as detailed above). An volunteer handbook is available up on request and will provide more information.
Term of Appointment:
6 months
Application Deadline:
Rolling until filled
Comments:
Please apply by sending your C.V. including e-mail contact details for two referees, your dates of interest and certificates of qualification.
Contact Information:
Andrea Donaldson
Kenya
E-mail Address:
enquiries@colobusconservation.org
