Field Leader

Title: Field Leader, Naucrates Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Thailand

Work percentage: 100%

Type of agreement: 2 months (circa)

Duty station: Phra Thong Island, Thailand

Reporting to: Naucrates

Project background:PhraThongIsland is located200 km north of Phuket, in Kura Buri District, Phang Nga province. It is part of a group of three islands and is considered, even if there are only few turtles left, one of the main sea turtle nesting sites left along theAndamanSea coast ofThailand. These sites are under pressure from fishing activities, egg poaching and uncontrolled tourism development.

Since 1996, Naucrates has been running a conservation project in collaboration with the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) with the help of many volunteers from all over the world who are coordinated by a field leader during each season. The main activities include monitoring nesting beaches, nest protection, behavioural observation, awareness and education in the village and public awareness with tourists. For further information on the project: www.naucrates.org.

Main duties and tasks:

• Manage the project team
• Supervision and leadership of the team; group of international volunteers.
• Coordinating volunteer arrivals and departures, weekly project schedule
• Coordinate project activities and project local logistic
• Responsible for completion of all project tasks with the team by following existing methodology.
• Managing project finances in the field (daily basic accounting, making local payments, managing merchandise sales etc.)
• Liaise with local people and other organizations

Additional tasks are:

• Organize/conduct additional project activities
• Organise awareness activities and lessons for volunteers and visitors
• Organise and/or conduct possible other project activities; English lessons, fund raising activities, creation of materials for a displays at the conservation centre, workshops, etc.
• Write weekly report of project activities with at least 5-10 photos to Naucrates main office
• Conduct  closing inventory at the end of the project period and close the field station
• Keep field station and staff accommodation tidy and manage possible maintenance, repairs or replacements in the field station or project equipment

In the end of the project period Field Leader is required to write a final report and assist in data analysis of the project data for the final project report.

Requirements:

• Experience in other turtle conservation projects or volunteer projects
• Minimum of 25 years of age
• Have team management experience and problem solving skills
• Be able to work independently with minimum supervision and make decisions
• Have good communication and excellent organization skills
• Have understanding of volunteering
• Have a firm commitment to stay for the whole period
• Be able to live and work in a rustic and remote environment with limited privacy
• Have a good command of the English language, both spoken and written
• Be in very good physical condition and flexible with work since Field Leader may be required to do any part of the project activities; beach monitoring both morning and night, behavioural observation, collecting and entering data, deal with stranded/rescued turtles or other animals, dealing with volunteer, staff and local issues etc.

• Swimming ability

• Open mind toward Asiatic culture, in particular Thai communities.
• Respect Naucrates rules and code of conduct on the Island

In addition these are considered as a plus:

• Possess a BSc in Biology or a related field
• Permaculture, organic cultivation, bird monitoring/watching, other environmental or animal surveys/monitoring

• Snorkelling/free diving skills
• Arts&crafts skills
• Marketing and presentation skills
• Teaching/educational experience
• Thai language
• Experience in living or working in Asia
• Driving a motorbike/moped or a sidecar

Notes:

• Any dietary restrictions or allergies should be communicated at the time of applying as some may not be possible to cater for
• Applicants should also note that work days are 7 days a week, days off must be planned in advance.  One responsible person needs to stay at the camp.
• Remoteness means no access to western comforts and very limited social life, lack of technically advanced tools and equipment and changing circumstances
• Please read the project description before applying

Salary/Stipend or Expenses:
The Field Leader covers their own travel expenses to and from the island. Accommodation and food is provided within theLionVillage or at Nok Bungalows at the Naucrates site. Naucrates provides a small monthly spending allowance (8.000 Thai Baht per month).

Deadline for applications:

Application form together with CV, references and recent photo must be e-mailed by 30th September 2014 as word or pdf document. Successful applicants will be notified on 1st November 2013.

For any further information contact: Monica Aureggi, email: info@naucrates.org - www.naucrates.org NAUCRATES, Onlus – Via dei Ristori,7 - 04010 Giulianello di Cori (LT) – ITALY - TEL.++39.3334306643