Overview

Start date: As soon as possible

Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

Duration of contract: 2 years (with options to renew)

The Head of Biodiversity Research (HBR) is the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT) lead on ecological research of threatened species across multiple Protected Areas and the post-release monitoring of selected species rehabilitated through Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. The role also oversees the volunteer research placement programme based mainly at our Liwonde National Park research camp. The HBR develops new research projects and submits funding applications in collaboration with the Programmes and Development teams; manages all research projects and associated budgets and reporting, staff, volunteers and camps. The role represents LWT in appropriate research forums including liaison with national and international partners and is responsible for sharing research outputs with Protected Area managers to promote adaptive management strategies and with the wider scientific community through published articles and papers. The HBR reports to the Technical Director and manages four researchers. This is an exciting time to join LWT as we develop a new biodiversity research strategy and implement plans for a new research camp in Liwonde.

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
● Masters with a minimum of 5 years’ research experience and 2 years’ research/conservation project management
● Experienced in managing staff in field research/conservation programmes
● Adaptable and flexible attitude, ability to travel within Malawi and live in basic camp facilities during
field work
● Clean driving license and able to drive a manual 4×4 vehicle

Competency is essential in the following:
● EarthRanger, QGIS
● Database development and management (preferably Excel)
● Experience interpreting satellite collar movement patterns for mortalities, dispersal etc.

Competency is desirable in the following:
● Experience with R studio
● Experience in managing international volunteers in field-based research/conservation programmes

TO APPLY:

Please send a CV (max 2 pages) and covering letter (max 2 pages) detailing your suitability for the role to applications@lilongwewildlife.org no later than 5pm Malawi time on 21st May 2024. Please send both documents as attachments to the email and use the job title ‘Head of Biodiversity Research’ in the email subject line. Applications exceeding the page limits will not be considered.

Further details are on our website: lilongwewildlife.org/jobs