Overview

Position Type: Full-time; 12-month renewable contract

Background:

The D’ABOVILLE Foundation (DAF) is a Filipino registered non-profit organization, working in the field of environment, conservation and sustainable development. One of its programs focuses on the tamaraw – a Critically Endangered dwarf buffalo species found only on the island of Mindoro in the Philippines. DAF’s “Mangyan – Tamaraw Driven Landscape Program” (MTDLP) aims to bring relevant skills and expertise to help local stakeholders conserve the tamaraw.

Job Description:

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a dynamic international partnership to save an enigmatic species. The Tamaraw Conservation Officer will work closely with DAF‘s local and international partners, under the supervision of Emmanuel Schütz (MTDLP Program Manager) and Dr Christophe Bonenfant (Laboratoire de Bometrie et Biologie Evolutive, CNRS). This position involves extensive fieldwork in Mts Iglit-Baco Natural Park and other Tamaraw locations in Mindoro, as well as project management and ecological data analysis. This position would especially suit an MSc or recent PhD graduate with experience of fieldwork in remote locations, and strong analytical skills.

For more information, visit https://www.asianwildcattle.org/tamaraw-conservation.html

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The Tamaraw Conservation Officer will perform the following and other duties as assigned:

  1. Coordinate a local Field Research Team composed of Rangers, Indigenous Field Technical Assistants and Indigenous Tribal Elders to conduct population monitoring and ecological surveys
  2. Implement population surveys and monitoring methods for remnant populations of tamaraw across Mindoro, focusing on Mts Iglit-Baco Natural Park.
  3. Expand the ongoing ecological research within Mts Iglit-Baco Natural Park, including:
    1. Tamaraw habitat availability
    2. Impact of fire regime on habitat quality, plant succession and invasive plant species
    3. Impact of human hunting and disturbance on tamaraw distribution
    4. Tamaraw dietary analysis
  4. Assist DAF and its partners in creating a single approach to Tamaraw research and monitoring across Mindoro. This will include, but not be limited to, Department of Environment and Natural Resources / Tamaraw Conservation Program + Protected Area Office, other local NGOs, local and national academies, Global Wildlife Conservation and the IUCN Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group.

Qualifications:

  • Commitment to and passion for conservation.
  • Minimum of Masters degree in ecology, wildlife biology or similar
  • Experience in wildlife research
  • Knowledge in community ecology / general ecology of tropical ecosystems.
  • Skills in data analyses with R (generalized linear models)
  • Demonstrated ability to work in different countries and cultures, especially Asia.
  • Ability and interest to travel and work outdoors and in remote field sites. A good level of fitness is essential, as periods of time will be spent conducting surveys in remote, challenging locations.
  • Strong communications skills, including writing, editing, correspondence, and public speaking. 

Duty Station and start dates:

Offices of DAF in Manila and San Jose, Mindoro and office of the Tamaraw Conservation Program and Protected Area Management Office in San Jose, Mindoro.

Candidates will need to be available for training in the Philippines, ideally starting March 26th but no later than April 22nd.  Please specify your earliest availability when applying.There is the potential to then work remotely or with CB in Lyon, France, for the first few months, to be discussed.

Salary and Benefits:

According to qualifications and experience, a monthly living stipend of €750 to €1,000 with a probation period of 3 months will be provided, along with:

  • One return flight (up to €700)
  • International travel/medical insurance for 12 months (up to €450)
  • Cost of visa for 12 months
  • Budget allowance for domestic transportation, and 20 overnights in Manila
  • Possibility to share costs of accommodation in San Jose at the DAF office 

Research management and monitoring:

Research planning and field work will be discussed and coordinated together with the MTDLP Program Manager and implemented based on local field context and restrictions.  Cost of operation for research and field activities will be covered by DAF. 

How to Apply:

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a CV or resume, and cover letter to the following:

Stuart Young (Programme Officer, IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group)

Email: s.young@chesterzoo.org

This position will remain open until 22nd February 2019