Senior Research Assistant

African Bat Conservation (ABC) is a non-profit conservation research project based in Malawi, operating under UK Charity Conservation Research Africa (CRA) and in partnership with the University of Bristol, UK. ABC works in collaboration with Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT) and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Malawi (DNPW) to conduct three core activities:

1. Applied research for wildlife conservation management: to determine and monitor bat population trends, assess species threats and provide conservation recommendations; as well as a number of smaller student projects to facilitate and inform long-term conservation management of bat populations and their habitats. Project results are used to update IUCN species status reports and assist DNPW in long-term population monitoring and protected area management.

1. Education and awareness of bats and biodiversity and related issues through comprehensive community based education programmes, human-wildlife conflict surveys and teacher training workshops in collaboration with LWT and their Eco-schools programme.
2. Capacity building: to increase project effectiveness and long-term success by building capacity in ecological research, biodiversity monitoring and management for DNPW through training courses, attachment programmes and postgraduate research projects at MSc and PhD level.

Summary:

Primarily based at our research camp in Liwonde National Park (LNP) Malawi, we conduct field research on bats and biodiversity and conduct engagement and education in the surrounding communities. We are currently recruiting for an experienced senior field research assistant who will be responsible for coordinating the field research at our research base under the supervision of Dr Emma Stone.

Person Specification Summary:

We are looking for someone with:

Maturity: We are looking for someone with a mature mental attitude to be the representative of ABC in the field, and lead by example.

Inspirational Leadership skills: You will need to be a great leader, able to inspire and motivate the team.

Organisational skills: We are looking for someone who is highly organised and practical, with an eye for detail.

Management skills: you must have excellent interpersonal and management skills.

Maturity is a must, as well as the ability to work maintain the motivation and research output despite the many daily challenges of working in Malawi.

The position is field based and will require field work at night and in the day. Therefore you will need to be willing to be based in remote environments at rustic field camps. The post offers an excellent opportunity for career development for a researcher with research skills who is interested in applied conservation biology, bats and human-wildlife conflict.

The post-holder will:

• Work under the supervision of Dr Emma Stone
• Conduct field work at night and in the day including:

1.                            I.          bat harp trapping and mist netting
2.                          II.          bat acoustic surveys (AnaBat and SM2 detectors)
3.                         III.          tagging and radio tracking bats
4.                        IV.          light trapping for insects
5.                          V.          insect pinning and processing
6.                        VI.          vegetation surveys
7.                       VII.          and any other field work as required

• Conduct acoustic analysis of bat calls using AnalookW and song scope
• Maintain, summarise and store data in a specifically designed Microsoft Access database
• Create and edit maps in ArcGIS
• Assisting with data validation and preparing data for analysis and publication
• Maintain project budgets and spending records
• Manage the small research team and volunteer schedules
• Attend and contribute to project meetings if required
• Be flexible in the hours worked to fluctuating demand
• Work closely and co-operatively with other team members, and network internationally representing the project with organisations such as IUCN etc.
• Fulfil all administrative requirements on time and accurately
• Maintain accurate records of work activities and data entry in a Microsoft Access database
• Produce project reports, newsletters, bulletins etc as required

Requirements:

Essential

• BSc in conservation biology, zoology, biology or related field
• Experience of working and living in remote environments, preferably in Africa
• Experience of field research with bats including handling
• A confident communicator who is able to relate well to people from diverse backgrounds
• Proven experience in leading a team with minimum supervision including personnel management skills
• Proven experience of working with volunteers from diverse backgrounds and ages
• Proven experience of working co-operatively as part of a team
• Enthusiasm and self motivation for working on applied conservation research
• Maturity, and a positive mental attitude, resilient, ability to muck in and get on with it
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision  

·     Experience of data collection and analysis under minimal supervision

·     Hard work ethic, flexible and conscientious approach

·     Competence with MS office suite including data management software (MS Access)

Desirable

• MSc or PhD in ecology, zoology, biology
• Experienced in harp trapping and mist netting bats
• Experience of off road driving with 4x4
• Experience in dealing with dangerous wild animals, particularly in Africa
• FAGASA  equivalent qualifications
• Qualifications in field research /statistics

·     Experience of managing own workload and taking responsibility for projects

·     Experience of ArcGIS mapping, digitising and home range analysis

Contract Conditions:

Timing: This is a 1 year position commencing in May 2015 (or possibly earlier) .

Hours: Full time flexible working hours, on average 6 days per week, with night work.

Location: The ABC research camp is located at Mvuu camp, a Central African Wilderness Safaris Lodge on the banks of the mighty Shire river (http://cawsmw.com/index.php/lodges/mvuu-camp/) in Liwonde National Park.

The park harbours an abundant wildlife population including elephant, reedbuck, waterbuck and sable, hippo, buffalo, zebra, roan, eland and black rhino. Living in camp you will be on permanent safari, with regular visits to camp by elephants, hippos, warthogs and monkey.

The post holder will spend 70% of time working at the rustic field research camp in Liwonde National Park (LNP) and approximately 30% on farms around southern and central Malawi.

Accommodation: The post holder will be

based  at the ABC our research camp

which comprises safari tents (with beds)

on wooden platforms with access to

flushing toilets and hot showers.  

Accommodation may be shared with other

staff at certain times of year.  

Costs and contract conditions: ABC will cover all work related accommodation and travel costs including airport transfers as well as a stipend to cover food and associated costs during the post. The post-holder will be required to cover flights, visas, insurance and vaccinations.

Application process

To apply please dowload an application form from www.africanbatconservation.org/news.html  and send with a covering letter (outlining why you think you would be suitable for the post) and a CV if you wish to Dr Emma Stone on emma.stone@bristol.ac.uk.

Further project information:  www.africanbatconservation.org