Volunteer Field Research Assistant for Pre and Post Release Monitoring of a group of rehabilitated ex-pet and orphan vervet monkeys

Position Description:

Background Information and Position Description

Colobus Conservation, Kenya, facilitates the rescue and rehabilitation of confiscated, orphaned and injured animals and where feasible their return to the wild.  

In August 2015, pre-release training and assessments on a group of releasable individuals will began, followed by 12 months post release monitoring. Two - four research assistants are required to monitor the group post release and collect data, including daily census information, behavioural focal follows, including feeding ecology and recording all wildlife interactions.  

The release programme is based in Diani, Kenya and offers a unique opportunity to live in a beautiful beach and forested area, with many western comforts. Accommodation at Colobus Conservation comprises single sex bedrooms in a communal house, hot/cold showers, 3 meals a day, laundry and housekeeping. 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 eco-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 and as such will be performing different duties and working different hours. Any researcher accepting this position needs to be aware of these differences.  

Field time will be scheduled as 6 days a week, working a total of 45 hours per week. Research days will vary from 8-12 hours per day, between the hours of 6am - 7pm. Researchers are not permitted to take the data away, nor use it for any form of personal analysis without prior discussion and consent of the Conservation Manager.  

A minimum 3 month commitment is required but 6 months is preferred.  

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.

Qualifications/Experience:

Qualifications and Experience Essential requirements

1. Experience of working on a scientific research project, collecting and working systematically with data, ideally an observational/behavioural project

2. Significant foreign travel or living/work experience, within a developing country and ideally the tropics

3. Interest in animal behaviour, conservation and welfare, and preferably a university level qualification in animal behaviour, primate conservation, zoology or other relevant subject

4. There are up to 4 positions available, for a six month long commitment. However, consideration will be given to candidates looking for a shorter commitment period, although a minimum of 3 months is required.  

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 here in Diani. Applicants must also be hardworking and able to keep going, and do so cheerfully! Our schedule is demanding and unconventional (6 days work, 1 day off), up to 12 hrs field time per day and no guarantee of getting lunch, but monkeys permitting we try our best. 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 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 other conditions and risks that are simply part of tropical fieldwork, such as limited healthcare, monotonous diet, rare confrontations with noxious plants or animals. This is very intense work - if your main goal is not gaining scientific research experience, you will probably not be happy in this position.

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

Comments: To apply, send your C.V. to enquiries@colobusconservation.org along with dates of availability.