Job Type: volunteer/paid
Opportunity location: Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, Africa
Closing date (if specified): 1 June 2012
Opportunity Description: Full Time Research Station Manager
Start date: Rolling start date, 3 month volunteer trial, with the
possibility of a paid position following the successful completion of trial
period.
The Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program "BBPP" is part of an academic
partnership between Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA) and the Universidad
Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial ("UNGE," Malabo, Equatorial Guinea). Our
mission is the conservation of Bioko Island's biodiversity, with specific
focus on its critically endangered primates and nesting sea turtles, through
the development of economically sustainable educational programs, along with
multifaceted research and conservation efforts that demonstrate the greater
value of wildlife alive rather than dead as bushmeat.
The BBPP is seeking a qualified individual for the directorship of the Moka
Wildlife Center. As the supervisor you will be expected to live at the Moka
Wildlife Center in the village of Moka on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.
Your overall mission would be to support the ongoing education, research,
and conservation initiatives of our core research team, act as our central
on-island representative and ambassador, while assuming a lead role in
sustaining/supporting our outreach efforts and management of our field
station in Moka.
As supervisor of the Moka Wildlife Center, you will be expected to carry out
the following major responsibilities:
. Supervise the two on-site BBPP local employees:
o UNGE-designated (Spanish and English speaking) MWC Assistant Manager who
will assist the director in the day-to-day management of the MWC including
the maintenance of the facilities and local employee training
o BBPP-hired live-in watchman, who is in turn responsible for guarding the
MWC and for assisting with basic maintenance and improvement projects at the
MWC.
. Serve as the BBPP presence at the MWC, implementing field station
improvements, designing outreach activities, greeting visitors and planning
activities that encourage the protection of Bioko Island's wildlife, while
also enhancing the reputation and on-island presence of BBPP within the
broader community.
. Provide logistical support for the BBPP research team, take a
major role in planning and supporting research expeditions, assist visiting
scientists with their studies and in the planning/supervising students and
interns of Drexel University's BBPP sponsored study abroad program.
. Live at the Moka Wildlife Center and drive (1.5 hr; 50 mi) to
Malabo (BBPP vehicle with required insurance and local inspections; current
US Driver's License required) for meetings approximately twice per month.
. Report to the BBPP Program Coordinator, and produce a monthly
report summarizing the MWC activities.
Drexel University/BBPP will provide the following:
. Lodging and board at the field station at Moka and in Malabo for
business-related trips.
. Use of the BBPP vehicle for BBPP business or sanctioned
activities, maintenance and fuel costs included.
. Cell phone and modest monthly cell phone use.
. Satellite internet access at no charge, but with the understanding
that Internet service is intermittent.
Qualifications
. Undergraduate degree or higher in biology, ecology, conservation,
or related fields.
. Prior field experience in biology, ecology or related disciplines.
. Spanish language ability: Spanish is the national language of
Equatorial Guinea, although many local people also speak some French.
. Experience in remote locations in developing countries and
experience camping and hiking in wilderness areas.
. Physical fitness and a positive attitude towards physically
exhausting work in a hot and humid climate. All assistants should be
prepared for very demanding and time consuming work.
Applications:
Please send a cover letter, CV and contact information for 3 references to
Dr. Gail Hearn, [email protected].
--
Drew T. Cronin
Ph.D. Candidate
Drexel University
Department of Biology
3245 Chestnut Street
Papadakis Integrated Science Building, Room 503
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: PISB 503
Phone: (215) 895-6906
Email: [email protected]
Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program - www.bioko.org
<http://www.bioko.org/>
Hearn Lab (Drexel University) - www.drexel.edu/biology/hearn
