Position Description:
Project Background
The Fernan-Vaz Gorilla Project (FVGP) is a PASA-accredited Gabonese association sponsored through the Dutch-based organisation called Société de Conservation et de Développement (SCD). The FVGP consists of a Sanctuary, where regulated visits have been integrated, and a rehabilitation centre for western lowland gorilla orphans (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). The project is located in the Fernan-Vaz lagoon near the town of Omboué and just north of Loango National Park.
The Sanctuary consists of a forested enclosure where 2 male gorillas live. These gorillas can never be considered for reintroduction and instead act as conservation ambassadors to help educate national and international visitors to Evengue Island on great-ape conservation.
The rehabilitation centre is located on Orique Island where 7 orphaned gorillas currently reside. There is no tourism activities integrated to this division of the FVGP.
The FVGP base camp is located at Mpando which is located on mainland, just 600 meters across from Orique Island. The FVGP veterinarian/manager is expected to oversee management of the gorillas and local staff.
Position Description:
GORILLA MANAGEMENT AND HUSBANDRY
1) Supervise the daily husbandry and care of all the gorillas. It is important to minimise “human exposure” to the rehabilitation centre gorillas so that exposure should be minimised to gorilla medical interventions and evaluation of staff performance only;
2) Oversee and maintain the gorilla health prevention program;
3) Oversee the gorilla nutritional program;
4) Coordinate and develop the FVGP gorilla infrastructures.
LOCAL STAFF MANAGEMENT
5) Management of all local staff;
6) Hire and train local staff on gorilla husbandry and care (as required);
7) Organize monthly salaries and daily accounting based on the FVGP’s annual operational budget with regular communication with the FVGP’s out-of-country accountant or veterinary advisor;
8) Up-keep the Employee Health Prevention (EHP) program in collaboration with a local Port-Gentil physician;
9) Continue and develop the FVGP staff’s on-going training program (botany, forest navigation, etc.);
OTHER
10) Collaborate with other national NGO’s and governmental agencies (i.e. ANPN, CIRMF) in the placement of great-ape orphans and the development of a great-ape conservation strategy;
11) Seek advice from PASA with respect to the most up-to-date management practices;
Qualifications/Experience:
1. At least 26 years-old;
2. At least 6 months of hands-on experience with orphaned great-apes (gorilla experience preferred);
3. At least 6 months of experience with managing local staff in a developing country;
4. French-speaking a must (fluency in English an asset);
5. DVM degree with a valid license an asset;
6. Proven communication and leadership skills;
7. Ability willingness to live in isolation in a remote area;
Salary/funding:
Salary and benefits: to be negotiated based on qualifications and experience.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Cost of visa;
One yearly return-airfare;
Food, basic accommodation and transportation (in-country);
Health insurance (to be discussed);
Term of Appointment:
A one-year contract with an initial 3-month probation period. Start Date: Nov 15, 2013.
Contact Information:
Nick Bachand
B.P. 2950
Libreville
Gabon
Telephone Number:
+24107725426
Website:
http://www.gorillasgabon.com
E-mail Address:
fvgp@scd-conservation.com
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