Volunteer Opportunity with WCS Gabon - Coastal and Marine Species Status Assessments

WCS is in the process of launching a program for the conservation of

the Congo Basin Coast (CBC) which includes the coastlines of Sao Tome

and Principe, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo. Our

current task is to produce status assessments for several key,

emblematic species in the region - humpback whales, Atlantic humpback

dolphin, West African manatee, Nile crocodile, leatherback turtle,

hippo and palearctic migrant birds - for which we have received a

grant from the Wallace Research Foundation. This will be conducted on

the basis of a 'gap analysis' using currently available research,

reports and studies, and subsequently designing complimentary field

studies to fill in the gaps. This project needs YOU! NOW!

The volunteer position will involve an office based stage and a field

based stage, but will be mostly based in Mayumba, Gabon

(mayumbanationalpark.com). The volunteer will collaborate with the

project director and other WCS staff to determine the method for the

gap analysis and decide the necessary information to make status

assessments. A team of WCS staff and international researchers will

be available to help design the field studies, which will be

undertaken by WCS field teams. There will be beach and boat based

surveys, and possibly also poking around in rivers looking for

crocodiles if you like that sort of thing.

The project is starting now and needs your help as soon as possible,

ideally we would have you in Gabon within the next 2-4 weeks

(depending on how long it takes to get a visa but straight away,

basically) so absolutely no later than the middle of November, 2009.

Knowledge of marine and coastal environments is desirable but not

required, a Masters level qualification in ecology, conservation or a

related subject is enough. A decent level of French is required as

the volunteer will be supervising the work of a Gabonese intern and

will also need to read reports/articles in French.

Accommodation and in country travel will be provided, a stipend for

food while in Mayumba can be discussed along with international air

fare, we are prepared to cover all costs or make a contribution

depending on how long the volunteer is prepared to stay on the

project. We are looking for a minimum of 2 months, maximum would be

until the end of the project in April 2010.

Interested applicants please send an up to date CV to me at

kknights@wcs.org asap, and describe any extras you may have like dive

licence, boat pilot licence, previous experience etc. Most

importantly state clearly when you are available and how long you can

stay.

========

We are looking for a trainee for 6-12 months to work on the assessment of
African protected areas (see our web site
http://bioval.jrc.ec.europa.eu/PA/)
The trainee should be preferably an ecologist who enjoys programming with a
strong experience in GIS. The day to day work is clearly computing.
There are various possible projects we will have to agree on depending on
the interests of the trainee and the length of the traineeship. From these
possible projects, I propose the following ones:

- the development of methods and tools for the identification of possible
new critical areas to protect;
- correlation analysis between landscape pattern metrics within the African
protected areas and the proposed biodiversity indicators;
- improvement of the current alert system;
- assessment of human pressure around protected areas.

We are of course open to other suggestions. Please don't hesitate to get
back to me should you have any question.
Practical information and conditions about the traineeship can be found on

http://ies.jrc.ec.europa.eu/call-for-trainees

The traineeship will be held within the Global Environment Monitoring Unit
of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. We are located in
the North-West of Italy (Lombardy region, close to the Lago Maggiore).

Deadline for submission is March the 18th.
Many thanks
Best regards

+++++++++++++++++++++++
Gregoire Dubois (PhD)

DG Joint Research Centre - European Commission
Global Environment Monitoring Unit
Monitoring Of Natural resources for DEvelopment (MONDE)

http://gem.jrc.ec.europa.eu
http://www.ai-geostats.org

Tel : +39 0332 786360
Fax : +39 0332-789960
Email: gregoire.dubois@jrc.it

Field Research Advisor: Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (CPCP), Vietnam

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an international volunteer to join our young and dynamic team of enthusiastic conservationists. The Field Research Advisor will assist the development of our field research program aimed at increasing the understanding of the ecology, status and conservation requirements of carnivores and pangolins in Viet Nam.
The Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program is committed to securing a future for wild populations of threatened carnivores and pangolins in Viet Nam. We are dedicated to increasing the understanding of and respect for these unique species and their habitats and empowering people to take action to conserve them.

Start date: 6th April 2009 (negotiable)
Duration: 24 months

Job mission
To improve the conservation of carnivores and pangolins through the development and implementation of field research activities; subsequent in-situ conservation actions and the transfer of skills to Vietnamese conservationists and scientists.

Objectives & responsibilities
The Field Research Advisor is responsible to develop and implement a number of field research activities alongside CPCP staff who, through training and support, will continue to develop these activities over the long-term. Specific activities are as follows:
Development and implementation of standardised field methodologies to increase the understanding of the ecology, status and conservation requirements of the CPCP?s priority carnivore and pangolin species
Supporting the professional development of the CPCP Research Officer
Assisting the CPCP Research Officer to join international training courses, workshops and ultimately an International Masters Degree program
Fundraising for field research activities and subsequent donor reporting
Developing and implementation of training programs on carnivore and pangolin field survey techniques for Vietnamese University students.
Providing technical assistance to the Captive Management Team and Program Coordinator in matters relating to carnivores and pangolins brought to the centre

Salary grade and benefits: Volunteer
The Field Research Advisor will receive a living allowance, accommodation in the national park, and work visa costs will be covered. The position may develop into a fully salaried position.

Location of work:
Based in Cuc Phuong National Park and Hanoi offices
Approximately 50% of their time in the field

Professional qualifications:
Masters degree in Biology, Conservation, Zoology or related subject
Practical experience in field surveys and/or ecological studies
Excellent English language skills, both spoken and written
Previous experience working in a developing country

Desirable personal qualities
Patience, tolerance and flexibility
Ability to live and work in difficult conditions
Commitment to team work, coaching and mentoring other people
Ability to cope with cultural isolation and basic living conditions
Prepared to work with limited resources within a challenging environment
Motivation, energy and enthusiasm

Interested candidates should e-mail a CV and covering letter, summarising their professional background and reasons for interest in the position to Tran Quang Phuong (smallcarnivore@gmail.com) no later than Monday 09 March 2009.