Overview

Cousine Island is seeking a new conservation management couple. The Island is privately owned and managed as a hotel and nature reserve; supporting important terrestrial and seabird populations as well as nesting sea turtles and endemic giant tortoises. You will be responsible for the continuation of the 25 years of conservation and monitoring work, working closely with the Hotel and its clients.

THE JOB You will work together under your own initiative to ensure the delivery of the conservation work programme. While help may be acquired from other departments for certain tasks, you will generally be expected to work in a self-sufficient manner. Key aspects of the job include:

• Monitoring of the endemic Seychelles Magpie Robin

• Seabird census and breeding success surveys

• Nesting sea turtle monitoring and hatchery management

• Internal and governmental reporting

• Habitat management

• Invasive species control

• Enforcement of biosecurity protocols

• Liaising with local NGOs and conservation bodies

• Providing educational talks and activities for hotel guests

• Working with the hotel to promote sustainable practices

• Assisting in general island duties as required – Cousine is a small island with close-knit team and often tasks will require all departments to pitch in together e.g. boat launching

REQUIREMENTS The position is not a 9-5 and you will be expected to conduct fieldwork in a tropical environment and work with paying clients at a high-end hotel, so you must both demonstrate the following essential attributes:

• Good physical fitness and the ability to work long days/odd hours in a hot and humid environment

• Positive ‘can-do’ attitude

• Friendly and approachable manner

• Good communication skills

At least one of you must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Degree educated: minimum BSc in Biology or related field

• Previous experience managing conservation/research projects

• Experience working with nesting sea turtles

• Experience of birds working with birds and/or bird handling/ringing experience

• Vegetation monitoring/habitat management

• Experience producing basic scientific reports

• Good working knowledge of MS Office and GIS software e.g. QGIS/ArcGIS

• Practically minded and able to carry out basic maintenance tasks relevant to the conservation programme

Desirable:

• Bird ringing licence

• Experience in or an understanding of bird rehabilitation

• Sea-turtle tagging, nest relocation, hatchery management

• Certified SCUBA diver

• Experience using/maintaining chainsaws

• Experience using/maintaining air-rifle

• Experience in a customer-facing role

• Experience working in a remote environment

• Experience in managing and/or training staff, interns or volunteers

BENEFITS

• Competitive salary

• Accommodation and basic meals provided whilst on the island

• One set of return flights from/to your home country per year

TO APPLY Please send a detailed motivational cover letter, plus full resumes of both parties, to info@naturesvalleytrust.co.za Closing date of applications is 31st January. Interviews will take place around the 7th-8th February, and the successful couple will be expected to start work around mid-March