Volunteer Bonobo Habituation Team Leader

Position Description:

The volunteer will be responsible for the supervision of one habituation team (9 local worker), which includes going with the team in the forest for 3-4 days/week, work plan development, conflict management and mitigation, data analysis and report writing, payment of bonuses, training on data collection. 

The volunteer must be aware that walking in the forest is difficult, strenuous and physically challenging, especially during the rainy season, as the terrain in the forest fragments is rough and swampy, temperatures and humidity are high and the vegetation is very thick. Biting insects of all sorts (including bees and Tsetse flies) occur in the forest in considerable numbers and chances to be stung/bitten are high. Potential applicants with bee sting allergies or other medical conditions are warned that the closest hospital is at least 70 kms away from the field site and that transport to the hospital takes several hours by motorbike or car, as the roads are very bad.  

Example of a typical forest day:
Getting up at 4am and leaving for the forest at 5am.
Arriving at the Bonobo nest site at 6am.
Following the Bonobos throughout the day (when lost they need to be searched, which can mean walking up to 15km.
Leaving the Bonobos at their nest site at 6pm.
Returning to the field station at 7pm.

Qualifications/Experience:
Requirements

- Team player and intercultural competency
- Ability to deal with basic living conditions in a remote place 
- Resistance to social/psychological stress
- High physical fitness to deal with tropical climate and to be able to walk up to 15km/day.
- High interest in conservation
- basic GIS skills
- French and/or Lingala verbal skills are desirable, the willingness to learn one of those two working languages is highly required.
- Willingness to work long hours during the days (up to 14 hours for 3-4 times/week)

Experiences with Great Ape habituation would be an asset
Experiences with ecotourism projects would be an asset
Work experience in Central Africa would be an asset

Salary/funding:
- Accommodation at the field station will be provided (internet and electricity are available)
- Monthly allowance of 300 Dollar for living costs
- Monthly allowance of 100 Dollar for health and travel insurance
- Visa costs will be covered if the volunteer stays longer than 3 months
- Inland travel costs will be covered if the volunteers stay longer than 3 months
- Oversee travel cost (up to 1000 Dollar) will be reimbursed if the volunteer stays longer than 10 months

Term of Appointment:
a minimum of 3 months, preferable 6-12 months, as soon as possible

Application Deadline:
ongoing basis until position is filled

Comments:
To apply please submit your application in either English or French, including covering letter and CV, via email to Ms Petra Lahann under plahann@wwfcarpo.org.