Ecologist / Conservation Scientist

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is the world’s leading NGO dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild. CCF uses multidisciplinary approaches to research cheetah ecology and develop interdisciplinary solutions for human cheetah co-existence. 

CCF is recruiting for the position of Ecologist / Conservation Scientist at our research centre. The successful candidate will work on a range of projects requiring a mix of well-developed technical field and office-based skills. Currently the ecology team is responsible for delivering a wide range of projects include: understanding cheetah and other large carnivore distribution and density across Namibia; understanding the drivers behind human-wildlife conflict and suitable mitigation methods; community capacity building through educational training workshops.

The successful candidate will assist with all CCF’s ecology, community based research and other activities. The role will require the candidate to plan, prepare, and carry out a range of ecological surveys, as well as being central to the organisation and implementation of our farmer training programmes for local communities. This will include data collection through questionnaires and other techniques. Having experience and an understanding of the planning and running of ecological surveys and community training in rural and remote areas is required. As part of the team the successful candidate will be required to produce scientific publications, research proposals, and grant applications. The candidate must be able to demonstrate prior experience working with managing and manipulating large data sets collected from projects including but not limited to camera trapping, questionnaires, and biodiversity surveys. The candidate will also be involved in volunteer management, project supervision, delivering lectures and practicals. The applicant will be an experienced, enthusiastic researcher with good teamwork skills and a proven track record of field experience and scientific publications.

Person Specifications:

CCF is seeking a suitably qualified, strongly motivated individual who is able to work independently and as part of a team. Candidates should preferably hold a post Graduate Degree in conservation or biological sciences in a relevant field and be familiar with modern ecological survey techniques and equipment. Candidates without a post Graduate Degree must be able to demonstrate they have significant fieldwork experience and statistical analyses. A broad knowledge of conservation biology and community-based resource management research in developing countries is required. The candidate must be able to demonstrate their experience of working with large carnivores in relation to human-wildlife conflict resolution as well as working with multiple stakeholders from government to communities and key associations. The candidate will have proven research skills demonstrating a strong understanding of experimental design and analysis of biological data with emphasis on large carnivores including a working and current knowledge of mammal/bird inventories and monitoring techniques.

Please note: The position will be based at CCF's research and education centre 44km east of Otjiwarongo within the central region of Namibia. Accommodation is provided by CCF.

The position is available immediately.

For a full job description please email: ccfecology@iway.na

To Apply:

Applicants should send a full CV (maximum 3 pages) and covering letter detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why you want the position and including details of availability to Dr. Louisa Richmond-Coggan, Ecology Manager at: ccfecology@iway.na. Please include the job title in the subject header of your email. We regret that we will only be able to contact applicants who have been selected for interview.

Closing Date: 5pm Friday 10^th September 2015