Field Assistant on the Island of Biko

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Job Title: Field Assistant

Job Type: Volunteer (room, board, on-island transport and training provided)

Location: Moka Wildlife Center and adjacent protected area(Gran Caldera and Southern Highlands Scientific Reserve)

Start date: 1 September 2008 or earlier; 6 mo commitment preferred.

Duties of Field Assistants:  BBPP engages field assistants for periods of 6 months, usually beginning in September or October, in advance of the Island’s November through March dry season. Field assistants are expected to devote at least 40 hrs/week to the project.  Field assistants work under the supervision of two Ph.D. scientists, the BBPP Moka Wildlife Center Manager (forest wildlife) and the BBPP Research Manager (nesting sea turtles).  They are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the field research during their stay on Bioko Island, and may explore additional opportunities to participate in educational outreach projects with local school children as well as training exercises with local wildlife patrols.  Typical activities include counting and PIT-tagging nesting leatherback and green sea turtles on the southern beaches; walking forest transects counting monkey groups and other wildlife; mist-netting birds and bats for identification; assisting with visitors and school children on outreach projects at the Moka Wildlife Center.

Qualifications:  Field assistants are expected to be at least 22 years old.  Other desirable qualifications include:

·        Spanish language ability:  Spanish is the national language of Equatorial Guinea, although many local people also speak some French, but less English.

·        Experience in remote locations in developing countries and/or experience camping and hiking in wilderness areas.

·        Physical fitness and a positive attitude towards physically exhausting work in a sometimes hot and humid climate.

·        USA passport, since all other nationalities require hard-to-acquire visas to enter Equatorial Guinea.

Responsibilities:  The BBPP will provide housing (tents), food, on-island transport and research supervision for the field assistants.  Field assistants are responsible for international transportation to and from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, medical insurance including evacuation insurance, and appropriate vaccinations and anti-malarial medications.

Application: Candidates should send a letter of interest with dates of availability, a CV, and two letters of recommendation to Dr. Gail Hearn.