GVI Costa Rica Country Director

The expedition is based on the northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, inside the protected areas collectively known as ACTo (Tortuguero Conservation Area). The area consists of lowland wet tropical rainforest, a network of fresh water canals and rivers, beach and estuarine areas and small local communities. There are no roads in the area, so all transport is by power boat, canoe or on foot. The area is reasonably remote, so health & safety is a top priority.

Current biological projects include monitoring of sea turtle nesting, jaguar presence and predation of sea turtles, aquatic bird monitoring and other less intensive projects. Community projects include English teaching, assisting with teaching of the Costa Rican curriculum, sports education and local capacity building when possible.

The GVI Country Director has complete responsibility for all GVI employees and Expedition Members in their region and GVI activities. All activities and responsibilities are to be conducted in co-ordination with the Regional Director and other GVI staff as appropriate.

2. Manage all GVI personnel operating in these areas and to assist in recruiting new ones as necessary.

3. Manage all project budgets and to research cost reduction and effective operation initiatives. Ensure all reports are completed and sent to UK and in country partners on time and that all data collected is suitably reported, in co-ordination with other GVI staff. Ensure regular contact with your relevant RC.

4. Science: To continuously research and develop science contacts and programs within Costa Rica. To ensure the validity of GVI’s expedition science programs and to communicate this work appropriately.

5. Community assistance programmes: To continuously research and develop community development contacts and programmes within Costa Rica. To ensure the validity of GVIs community programmes and to communicate this work appropriately.

6. Public Relations: To actively promote GVI’s work in country, to GVI and Internationally. Such things would include weekly press releases, development of press relationships, www.gvi.co.uk reports / updates, regional committees and memberships, blogging etc

7. Recruitment: To assist GVI with recruitment for all GVI programs in country with priority been paid to expeditions. Such ideas might include

8. Aid Regional Director in development of new programs (expeditions, courses, projects and internships with theses Continents).

9. To continuously seek to improve the quality of expeditions for Expedition Members, this might include such things as extra activities, training opportunities, services or expedition products (i.e. an end of phase picture CD, Introduction to TEFL, side trips etc).

10. Receive all relevant feedback from ex volunteers and address serious complaints

11. Liaise weekly to communicate with the relevant GVI Regional Director and HO UK to discuss progress, issues, recruitment, Health and Safety, weather, feedback from EMs etc (this is to enable the regional coordinator with the latest information so as to assist recruitment and Volunteer pre departure services).

12. Photos / news from the field phase reports (ensure these are done on time and well)

13.  Health and Safety reports / implementation (ensure these are done on time and well)

14. Develop back up sites and partners for expeditions (in country and in alternative countries), new partnerships and new projects.

15. Develop Careers Abroad initiatives and placements and recruit and manage personnel for this programme.

Read more about the work conducted by GVI in Costa Rica at http://gvicostarica.blogspot.com/ 

There are several new initiatives planned for the first half of 2010 which will also be the responsibility of the Country Director.

• Highest degree of fluency in Spanish and English. This requirement is a MUST.
• MSc or higher in one of the following fields: conservation biology, wildlife management, biology, zoology, tropical ecology, entomology, herpetology, botany, or other relevant scientific discipline.
• Revelent Management Experience
• Demonstrated field study experience (tropical rainforest experience is preferred).
• International volunteer experience / experience working with native English-speakers.
• Current First Aid qualification.
• Ability to work as part of a team and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to provide leadership and constant management of volunteers and staff (30+).
• Willingness to accept basic communal living and very long hours of work in hot & humid/wet conditions.
• Willingness to work during the day and night (during turtle season) for 10-week phases.
• Must be passionate about wildlife and knowledgeable about current environmental issues.
• Full command of MS Office package.

Skills Desired

• TEFL/TESOL qualification is a plus
• Boat handling and boat driving license (equivalent of RYA Powerboat level 2) highly desirable
• Volunteer management experience
• Working knowledge of canal bird identification
• Working knowledge of marine turtle conservation
• Working knowledge of mammal identification and research
  
• Working knowledge of other animal groups
• EFR instructor qualification

 Other Details

Please send a relevant CV/Resume and one/two page cover letter to David Aneurin Jones at:

costarica@gviworld.com

To give yourself the best chance of a callback, please be sure to highlight your experience in the following areas in your application:

• management,
• data handling,
• animal biology and conservation – including work with marine turtles, birds and large mammals specifically where relevant
• leading groups/volunteers,
• training others/giving presentations
• working in remote and challenging environments,
• report writing,
• publications,
• fundraising,
• submitting permits,
• power boat driving
• first aid qualifications / first aid course instructor qualifications
• very important for us at this time – Spanish language.
• English is the day-to-day language due to the international nature of the expedition, please highlight your level, including writing, both creatively and technically

You could also visit our blog for more information on life in the field: www.gvicostarica.blogspot.com