Monitoring Coordinator

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

 

Panthera is the only organization in the world that is devoted exclusively to the conservation of the world’s 40 wild cat species and their ecosystems. Utilizing the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global strategies for the most imperiled species. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera partners with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities, governments around the globe, and citizens who want to help ensure a future for wild cats. For more on Panthera, visit www.panthera.org.

Panthera has been present in Malaysia through partners for almost a decade. In the beginning of 2020, Panthera incorporated an office in Malaysia - Panthera Wild Cat Conservation Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PWCCM).

Panthera’s Project Dupot started in 2020 and has been focused on the monitoring and protection of Sabah’s small cats, including Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi), marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), Bornean bay cat (Catopuma badia), and flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) in one important forest landscape. The project’s main objectives are to stabilize and recover small cat populations in the landscape following the Panthera’s Regional Development Strategy for South and Southeast Asia in Malaysia.

As a Monitoring Coordinator for Panthera’s Project Dupot, they will work closely with the site security team, as well as the Forest Research Centre (primary partner), Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Wildlife Department and other partners to fulfill the project’s monitoring and research activities with the aim to study and conserve the wild cat populations in priority areas across Sabah initially, with the scope to expand to other Malaysian States. They will do so by adhering to the code of conduct and standard operating procedures of PWCCM. As an employee of PWCCM, they will uphold the organization’s values and operating principles and maintain a professional work etiquette at all times. They may be required to assist with other projects of Panthera in other field sites from time to time for transfer of knowledge, skills and experience, at the discretion of the Malaysia Country Manager as and when needed.

A Monitoring Coordinator will be required to oversee and execute the biological monitoring activities to understand the status of Sabah’s wild cat population and their prey in order to inform conservation strategies. They should be equipped with the right skills, knowledge and experience to make sounds decisions in the field to guide their field team safely as well as lead briefings and debriefs for camera trapping fieldwork.

They will report to the Project Coordinator of Project Dupot, Country Manager of Panthera Malaysia, and the Director of Panthera’s Small Cats Program.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Plan and execute all biological monitoring activities under the project.
• Oversee and manage field technicians and work with patrol leaders to execute the wildlife monitoring surveys diligently, safely, and in a timely manner.
• Participate in the deployment, checking, and retrieval of camera traps
• Upkeep the inventory of all equipment used for biological monitoring activities, including camera traps, cable locks, batteries, etc.
• Maintain database of camera trap deployment in SMART Field Sensors.
• Assist with maintaining patrol database in SMART.
• Process and catalogue all wildlife data from the biological monitoring activities in PantheraIDS.
• Analyze all related wildlife data and work alongside other analysts on the team to ensure information is incorporated to inform the overall strategy for wild cat protection.
• Produce reports on wildlife and all monitoring activities in a timely manner.

Essential Duties

The essential job functions of a Monitoring Coordinator of Project Dupot are as follows:

• Establish and maintain good relations with local government partners of the project, including the Forest Research Centre, Sabah Forestry Department and Sabah Wildlife Department.
• Establish and maintain good relations with local Non-Governmental Organizations.
• Ensure professional conduct within the team as well as with partners and stakeholders of the project, including government representatives.
• Ensure that all assigned activities are consistent with the schedule and all outputs are delivered on time and at the desired quality.
• Keep abreast with current research and developments in biodiversity monitoring and wildlife crime science. This may require attending various meetings, workshops, conferences and training programmes.
•  Be familiar and comply with the policies and guidelines set out in the Panthera Employee’s Handbook ensuring that the code of conduct & ethics and ‘Patrol Standard Operating Procedures’ are followed at all times.
•  Be familiar and comply with Panthera’s programmatic vision, objectives and plans, and intellectual property rights.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable national laws and regulations of Malaysia.

Required Traits, Skills & Experience

An ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:

• Malaysian citizen
• Minimum qualification of Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Conservation Science or equivalent
• 1-2 years of working experience is preferable
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and unwavering commitment to Panthera’s mission
• Meticulous with a keen eye for details
• Physically fit, with the ability to trek in the forest, carrying weight of around 15kg on multi-day patrols
• Ability to work under pressure and be based in remote areas to carry out fieldwork
• Ability to work in a team and adhere to protocols and safety guidelines
• Ability to communicate well and professionally
• Some background in the use of R and GIS (Q-GIS or ArcGIS) software
• Some knowledge of the conservation and policy environment in Malaysia
• Bahasa Malaysia language proficiency required
• Driving license (D) is required

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and cover letter through the Panthera Careers Page. If no response is received after submission, please assume the application was unsuccessful. The closing date for applications is Thursday, September 9th.