Principal Investigator - Tenerife

Job Title:Principal Investigator

Reporting to:Research and Development and Operations Managers, London HQ

Responsible to:The Directors of the Society & the Research and Development and Operations Managers, London HQ

Location:Tenerife

PRIMARY FUNCTION

 To co-ordinate the research programme, involving overall supervision of the biological surveys and implementation of community-based conservation projects.

GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE ROLE

- To take overall responsibility for the leadership of the project; 

- Development and implementation of the research programme; 

- To liaise, develop and maintain relationships with collaborators; 

- Supervision and training of junior staff; 

- Management, support, training and motivation of volunteers / research assistants; 

- Preparation of project reports and publication of results in scientific journals; 

- Preparation of project and funding proposals with the Project Coordinator or Country Coordinator and Research and Development and Operations Managers (London HQ); 

- Representing the technical side of the project when liaising with relevant authorities, research institutes and international agencies; 

- Assist with project logistics and administration. 

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

-To manage all members of the project field staff, supervise all aspects of their survey work and provide accredited and non-accredited training where necessary to achieve the project objectives; 

- To develop and implement a standard work programme to cover each survey component namely socio-economic survey work and biological work including vegetation surveys; bats; reptiles; and amphibians, and selected invertebrate groups; 

- To manage, support and develop volunteers / research assistants in all aspects of their participation on the project; 

- To supervise the collection and processing of accurate field data and specimen collections for all survey components; 

- To ensure that the specimens collected are appropriately preserved and delivered to the relevant taxonomist for identification; 

- To liaise with taxonomists to ensure the timely identification of specimens and the incorporation of an accurate species list in each technical report; 

- To produce technical reports, scientific papers and project planning documents to a schedule agreed with the Research and Development and Operations Managers; 

- To assist the Operations and Research and Development Managers with technical information required for the production of project planning documents and specific funding proposals; 

- To manage and supervise the maintenance of project resources; 

- To liaise with other relevant organisations, including the project funding organisation, the local University, and individuals to develop the project and its scientific resources, particularly relevant scientific references; 

- To provide the Operations and Research and Development Managers with regular progress updates; 

- Assist with the logistical operations relating to the project including administration and management of finances; production of accounts and reports; allocation, use and maintenance of project resources; management of local staff; and supervision of the activities of and ensuring the health and safety of project staff, volunteers and host country participants. 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Contract Duration:12 months, possibility of an extension

Accommodation:Basic accommodation provided at field project

Travel:Capped contribution to international airfare plus internal travel as necessary to the fulfilment of duties. 

Insurance & Admin:Employer’s liability insurance provided. 

Subsistence:Food provided on project site. Subsistence allowance provided off project site. 

                       Salary:

Training:£600- £800 (per annum) on successful completion of contract depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, & availability plus £300-£500 end of contract bonus and £50 per peer reviewed publication at the manager’s discretion. 

BTEC assessor training & pre-departure training provided. 

JOB SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIALDESIRABLE

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge:

- Postgraduate in environmental / biological science 

- First aid qualification 

- Minimum PADI rescue diver or equivalent (Marine projects only) 

- Knowledge of natural resource management and rural development 

Experience: 

- Minimum 1 year field research experience, preferably in the tropical environment 

- Experience of field project management 

- Experience of data analysis & report-writing 

- Experience supporting / managing volunteers 

- Experience of GIS applications 

- Experience of budget and financial management 

- Experience working with local communities 

- Experience of donor liaison and writing of funding proposals

Skills:

- Excellent written/oral communication and presentation skills 

- Administrative and time management skills 

- Ability to manage and train junior research staff 

- Strong leadership skills

-Knowledge of local language 

-Technically orientated

Personal Attributes:

-Demonstrable commitment to conservation

-Resilient and mature, with the ability to work as a team in basic living conditions

-Flexible approach

-High attention to detail 

-Ability to motivate others

-          Physical fitness