Volunteer Research Assistant for Azafady Conservation Programme

Title: Volunteer Research Assistant for Azafady Conservation Programme

Location of Post: Based in Fort Dauphin and St Luce with occasional work in bordering communes in Anosy Region

Supervisor: Research Assistant

Background of the post.

Azafady is a UK registered charity and Malagasy NGO working in partnership with disadvantaged communities to improve living standards and quality of life in positive coexistence with the fragile and unique local environment. Founded in 1994, the organisation works in 30 of the most impoverished villages on the globe and in the urban centre of Fort Dauphin, south and south east Madagascar, home to a population of some 300,000 people.

Azafady’s Environment Department and the Azafady Conservation Programme, which accepts international volunteers to work on Azafady’s Conservation projects on the ground, are working in tandem with local people to aid the conservation of the threatened forests in the south east of Madagascar. The Conservation Programme provides essential research on the endemic and endangered flora and fauna, in particular lemurs and endangered palms. The Conservation Programme also aims to improve local knowledge of the environment through environmental education workshops in the village schools as well as supporting the Environment Department’s reforestation projects. The Environmental Department has established a reforestation project which provides local communities with over 30,000 trees per year, reducing the human impact on the native forests. Additionally the Environment Department is also constructing improved stoves, which reduces the amount of wood needed for cooking, with the help of international volunteers and research assistants from the Conservation Programme in addition to local staff.

ONG Azafady is now looking to recruit a motivated and dynamic individual to work alongside the current research Assistant in assisting the Coordinator of the Azafady Conservation Programme. The person will work with our local staff and assist with co-ordinating volunteers in conducting field research on the endemic and endangered flora and fauna of Sainte Luce, approximately 40km north of Fort Dauphin. The individual will be expected to manage and supervise the research projects in the absence of the coordinator and assist the Project co-ordinator in all aspects of their job role. This will involve assisting in the induction and instruction of international volunteers in research methods and daily tasks and ensuring volunteers are happy and satisfied with the programme wherever possible. You may also be asked to assist the Project coordinator with data entry/analysis, report writing, organising equipment and communicating with Azafady staff and local people.

Duties and responsibilities

The research assistant will work in collaboration with Azafady Malagasy staff in the following activities;

• To assist in the development and implementation of the research programme for the Coastal Littoral forest fragments in Sainte Luce
• To ensure the project targets are met
• To assist in the organisation and logistics for the research programme including equipment and the resources required for the research
• To implement, with the assistance of international and Malagasy staff, the research required to complete the projects organised by the Project co-ordinator.
• In the absence of the Project Co-ordinator to supervise volunteers during their time in the field
• To monitor data collection in the field
• To assist in training of volunteers in the field research techniques required to implement the programmes
• To ensure good communication and team relations with Volunteers, Azafady staff and local staff
• To assist the Project coordinator in the organisation of research excursions
• Any other tasks the Director/ Project Coordinator deems necessary within the broad remit of this role

Personal specification;

• Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in conservation issues
• A qualification in a biological related discipline and good knowledge of methodology
• A specialist knowledge of either Primatology, Herpetology or botany would be desirable
• To be able to commit to the Project for 1 year
• To be able or willing to learn to appropriately identify and handle retiles and amphibians
• Previous experience living or working in a developing country would be an asset
• Good IT skills
• Ability to grasp and carryout instruction in challenging environments
• First aid certificate
• Working Knowledge of GPS and/or GIS is an advantage
• A good degree of initiative, motivation and commitment
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure and be flexible and accommodating with a good sense of humour
• Ability to work as part of a dynamic and multicultural team
• Experience of or ability to lead a group of volunteers and manage and support them on a daily basis
• Good degree of fitness for working in difficult terrain under tropical conditions and to spend long periods of time in basic camping conditions
• Ability to represent Azafady in a professional manner

Anyone interested in applying for this position should send a detailed CV and a cover letter explaining how their skills and experience match the requirements in the Job Description to Megan Shrum, by email or by post.  The closing date for applications is 23^rd December 2010.

Pay and conditions – Food and local transport will be provided whilst on projects. All other costs will need to be covered by the candidate, including accommodation when in town.

Azafady Ltd
Studio 7
1a Beethoven Street
London, W10 4LG
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8960 6629
Email: megan@azafady.org