Technical Communications Adviser

Location: Kilwa Masoko, Tanzania

Responsible to: MCDI CEO

Remuneration: GBP £6-9,000 depending on experience, paid in UK or US, accommodation provided in Tanzania

Start Date: as soon as possible

Duration: Initial contract will be for one year with the option to renew

Main Duties:-

1. Build MCDI’s communications capacity.
   1. Train MCDI’s Communications Officer and other staff on how to craft communications for international audiences.
   2. Manage the content of MCDI’s website, transitioning responsibility to MCDI’s Communications Officer.
   3. Provide publicity materials (written and photographic) to external partners and to media, and build the MCDI team’s capabilities in this respect.
   4. Raise MCDI’s profile with regular technical and non-technical articles for publication.
2. Provide technical analyst support to MCDI when needed.
   1. Analyse and write up results of MCDI’s monitoring and evaluation activities.
   2. Advise on appropriate technical protocols for monitoring and evaluation.
   3. Provide technical input and suggestions on MCDI activities as requested.
   4. Train MCDI staff in the above and other technical skills and monitoring protocols.
   5. Support with writing funding applications.
3. Assist in coordinating MCDI’s research-related activities and partnerships.
   1. Advise on research methodologies appropriate to MCDI’s area of operations.
   2. Coordinate research with longer term monitoring and evaluation work.
   3. Build local capacity within MCDI to take on responsibility for these functions.

There is an opportunity to develop this role into a full technical adviser role over time.

Qualifications / Experience:-

Environment Africa Trust are looking for a dynamic technical writer / conservation scientist with the ability to think outside the box and contribute to assist their partners, the Mpingo Conservation & Development Initiative, in Tanzania in delivering a diverse programme of practical conservation, community development and technical monitoring. Excellent communication skills are a must and should be combined with strong analytical ability. This is a cross disciplinary role: candidates with a varied skill-set and experiences will be preferred to those from a straight biological background. Substantial prior experience is not a pre-requisite – this position would be suitable for those early in their career – but the candidate must be able to demonstrate their raw talent in communications. Candidates who show the potential for developing into a full technical adviser will be preferred.

Minimum:

1. A master's level degree in a relevant discipline (does not have to be biological).

2. Basic computer literacy including expertise in MS Word and Excel.

3. High level of fluency in written English (to publishable standards).

4. At least 1 year's previous experience in Africa or other developing countries.

Additional skills/experience of relevance include:

5. Previously published technical and non-technical articles.

6. Experience in web publishing / blogging.

7. Skill in photography and photo-editing.

8. Proficiency in GPS / GIS.

General background available at www.environmentafricatrust.org.uk and www.mpingoconservation.org.

Interested candidates should send a CV to applcn_2013-01@environmentafricatrust.org.uk. In your covering email please state how you heard about the opportunity. Please do not enclose degree certificates or transcripts at this stage. Deadline for applications is 15^th May 2013, but due to the urgency of filling this position consideration of applicants will begin before then, so an early application is advised. Interviews will be conducted by Skype. Only those invited for interview will be contacted. If you do not hear from us by 31^st May 2013 then you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.