Overview

Applications are sought from suitable individuals to fill the role of Research Programme Manager with Free the Bears in Southeast Asia. The work of Free the Bears is currently centered on three focal countries where we have created the Cambodia Bear Sanctuary (in Cambodia), Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre and Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary, in Laos, and Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary in Vietnam. Currently, across these sanctuaries we provide life-long care to over 270 bears (Ursus thibetanus and Helarctos malayanus), in addition to a variety of other rescued wildlife species in Laos.

Free the Bears’ Research Programme was created to improve our understanding of wild bear populations and the threats they face, as well as assess and improve the welfare of the bears in our care. We partner with governments, universities, and other institutions around the world in order to end the exploitation of bears.

Free the Bears is currently entering into an exciting phase of development, with the view to begin trialing monitored releases of select bears within coming years. Pre-release observations and post-release monitoring will offer valuable opportunities for research of these under-studied species, while selection of release sites will require assessments of local habitats, threats, and bear populations.

The primary role of the Research Programme Manager will be to oversee all research aspects of the release initiative, ensuring effective monitoring, evaluation and refinement of release methodologies. This will be achieved through advancing the skill set of local teams while developing methodologies in consultation with a global network of experts. The role includes providing management and oversight of teams in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, with regular travel to ensure consistency across the three country programmes.

Desired Characteristics:

·       Educated to at least a Master’s degree level in wildlife conservation or related field

·       Knowledge of both natural and social science research techniques

·       Fieldwork experience, ideally in tropical forest environments

·       Experienced in conducting behavioral observations, in-situ and/or ex-situ

·       Experienced in designing and/or implementing wildlife release projects

·       Experienced in community outreach/participatory planning

·       Proven track record for designing and implementing successful research projects

·       Experienced in grant writing, project implementation and reporting

·       Experienced in working in Southeast Asia, ideally Cambodia, Laos and/or Vietnam

·       Excellent command of written and spoken English language

About Free the Bears

As a global organization that works with partners and communities across a wide range of countries, Free the Bears values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. We welcome applicants of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply regardless of ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, socioeconomic status or disability to help us build an inclusive environment across all areas of our work.