<< Back

This job listing is no longer active.
Please use our Environment Jobs Search to find current vacancies.

Title

Survey leader

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Location Angola - Africa
Town/City Bicuar and Mupa National Parks (Angola)
Salary Additional Information US$4000 (total for 3 months)
Type Temporary / Contract / Seasonal
Status Full Time
Level Mid Level
Deadline 01/05/2016
Company Name Zoological Society of London
Contact Name Human Resources
Telephone 02077223333
Email hr@zsl.org
Website Further Details / Applications
Zoological Society of London logo
Directory Entry : The Zoological Society of London, a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned center of excellent for conservation science and applied conservation, working in over 50 countries around the world
Also Listing:
Description

About Us:

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.

Overview of role:

The project through which this job has arisen is a partnership between the Range Wide Conservation Program for Cheetah and African Wild Dogs (RWCP; through ZSL), the Angolan Ministry of Environment and the Angolan Carnivore Project. The job opening is for a Portuguese-speaking, experienced survey leader for a three month period from July to September 2016. This includes one week preparation, two full months in the field and three weeks analysing and writing up the data. The work is to conduct surveys in and around Bicuar and Mupa National Parks in south western Angola. Total area to be covered is c. 20,000km2. Bicuar National Park is 7,900km2 and Mupa is 6,600km2. The survey will include some of the area in between the two parks and around the edges. The main technique to be used is spoor surveys, supplemented with questionnaire surveys in the habituated areas and camera trapping in the more inaccessible places. Scat samples of large carnivores will need to be collected and processed for genetic and diet analysis.

For the fieldwork, the survey leader will be working long hours, starting before dawn and finishing at or after dusk. They will be accompanied by two Angolan trackers and at least one Angolan student or intern at a time. They will be expected to help train the student in all techniques employed during the survey. The survey leader will report to the southern African coordinator of the RWCP and the Ministry of Environment in Angola.

Main responsibilities will include:

Preparation for and organisation of logistics for a long field based survey in Angola

Conducting two full months of field work in remote areas of Angola

Conducting spoor surveys, camera trap surveys and questionnaire surveys

Analysing the data and writing up the results into a comprehensive English and Portuguese report

Publishing the results of the survey (with the permission of the Angolan Ministry) in a scientific journal

Training Park personnel and Angolan students in survey methodology

Person Specification:

Essential Requirements

These are very remote areas, about which relatively little is known. It is a very exciting opportunity but will need someone able to live and work long hours in challenging field conditions for two months straight, living mostly out of a tent and subsisting on basic food rations. Essential qualifications include:

  • Fluent in Portuguese and English
  • Experience with carnivore field surveys (ideally spoor / track surveys)
  • MSc (or equivalent) or higher
  • Proven ability to analyse data and write reports (in English)
  • Willing to live and work in extremely remote conditions (mostly camping) for 60 days straight
  • Adaptable and able to make a plan when situations change
  • GIS skills (and use of GPS in the field)
  • Experience with cyber tracker (or similar data collection tools)
  • Ability to manage tight budgets

Preferred skills / qualifications

  • Fieldwork experience in Africa
  • Camera trapping experience
  • Experience with questionnaire surveys
  • Experience camping for long periods of time in remote areas
  • First aid training

Please Note: this position will be based in a very remote part of Angola and requires long working days

To Apply:

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" on our website.

Closing Date: 1st May 2016

Anticipated Interview Date: Monday 9th May (subject to shortlisting)

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.

Add to My Account
<< Back