JOB TITLE: Aldabra Rat and Cat Eradication Field Team Leader (Feasibility phase)
SALARY: Subject to qualifications and experience
REPORTING TO: RaCE/CEPF Manager, Director of Research & Conservation (DRC), Aldabra Science Coordinator (ASC)
START DATE: 01/12/2023
DURATION: 2 years
LOCATION: Aldabra Atoll (field-based, including long camping trips with basic facilities)
INCLUDES: Transport to and from Aldabra, food while on camp
This position will play a major role in the Aldabra rat and cat eradication (RaCE) preparation and feasibility phase. The RaCE field team leader is responsible for leading the Aldabra rat and cat eradication (RaCE) feasibility work on Aldabra and leading the field team. The team leader will: liaise regularly with the DRC, RaCE/CEPF manager and RaCE feasibility consultant on feasibility phase set-up, progress and problems in the field; liaise closely with the Aldabra management team and research staff to ensure excellent communication and integration of the feasibility team within the existing Aldabra team; lead the RaCE feasibility team and field studies on Aldabra; ensure the safety of the field team; liaise continuously (at least daily) with the Island Manager and ASC to ensure workplan complementarity; train staff in all necessary techniques and IAS theory and practice to build a competent reliable team; provide detailed updates of RaCE feasibility work at weekly Aldabra research meetings and regular meetings with the RaCE coordination team; submit detailed monthly reports on progress and problems to DRC, RaCE/CEPF manager, RaCE consultant and CEO ; advise the RaCE management team of equipment required; ensure detailed record keeping and data entry/cleaning of all feasibility work, including trials that are discontinued or unsuccessful, so every aspect of the work is monitored; provide regular timely summaries of the feasibility work to the ASC; contribute to scientific papers in liaison with RaCE management team as appropriate. The person in this position should also act as a role model on Aldabra as a responsible and highly professional field team leader, setting high standards in all aspects of work and behaviour.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
This position requires:
• A highly experienced field team leader who is also a meticulous project leader (essential)
• Postgraduate level education in environmental science/conservation (essential)
• 10+ years’ experience in managing/coordinating field conservation projects (essential)
• 4+ years’ experience of leading teams in remote areas on invasive species eradication preparation, monitoring and project coordination (essential)
• Experience with ecological monitoring design and research on non-target species (essential)
• Demonstrated experience of ethical IAS capture/culling and dissection (essential)
• Experience with mark and recapture methodologies of rats and cats (essential)
• Experience planning and using camera traps for ecological monitoring (essential)
• Experience conducting baiting trials (essential)
• Experience of detailed and high quality technical reporting about project progress (essential)
• Experience in Seychelles and familiarity with Indian Ocean islands (desirable), or, failing this, other tropical islands/atolls with mangroves
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:
• Strong interest in and passion for island restoration and advancing IAS methods (essential)
• The candidate should be proficient enough to train other staff in all necessary techniques and have experience in and take pride in training people and building capacity in all areas of IAS management (essential)
• Excellent working knowledge of the status of invasive species practice and advances in the field of rodent eradications (essential)
• Excellent data management, analysis and reporting skills (essential)
• Excellent physical fitness (essential)
• Strong organisation and planning skills (essential)
• Collaborative and inclusive work ethic (essential)
• Outstanding communication skills (essential)
• First aid qualifications for remote field work (essential)
• Experience of writing or contributing to scientific publications (desirable)
• Small tiller boat license (desirable)
• Fluency in English (essential), understanding of Seychelles Creole and/or French (advantage)
APPLICATIONS
Interested applicants should send a CV and a cover letter addressing why they are interested in the post and how they meet the criteria to nancy@sif.sc and hr@sif.sc. The deadline for applications is 23rd January 2024. Late applicants will only be considered if the positions cannot be filled.