Durrell Wildlife
Conservation Trust
JOB DESCRIPTION
IWT Ploughshare
Project Manager
Position title:
Ploughshare Project
Manager
Reports
to:
Head of Species
Conservation and Research
Location: Antananarivo
with frequent travel to Soalala, Madagascar
Start
date: August 2014
Duration: 3
year fixed term, 20 weeks probationary period
Context
Durrell Wildlife
Conservation Trust is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the most
threatened species in the most threatened places. We focus on highly restricted
species primarily on island ecosystems. Madagascar is our largest programme region,
with a fulltime staff of 45 working in 8 permanent field sites.
Restoring the
ploughshare tortoise was our first project in Madagascar and it has been our
largest investment and most challenging project. The ploughshare tortoise, or
angonoka in Malagasy, is the most threatened tortoise in the world and one of
the most desired reptiles in the illegal wildlife trade. There have been
notable successes over the years, but the impact of poaching for the illegal
pet trade in SE Asia, has meant that this species remains highly threatened.
Durrell, together
with a consortium of international partners, has secured funding from the UK
government to tackle this trade, build local capacity to monitor and protect
the species. The project manager will lead the implementation of this project
on the ground. Interacting with Durrell field teams and our partners, the
project manager will be responsible for the delivery of project activities on
the ground, management of relationships with stakeholders and communication of
results. This is an extremely exciting project that provides a real opportunity
to tackle the main threat facing the survival of the ploughshare tortoise.
Job Purpose:
Lead the management
and implementation of the DEFRA International Wildlife Trade project in
Madagascar.
Major Duties and
Responsibilities:
a) Lead
the daily management and implementation of the IWT ploughshare project.
b) Oversee
a community based programme of monitoring within Baly Bay National Park –
including interaction with Madagascar National Park staff and other partners.
c) Facilitate
and support project partners to deliver a programme of community-based research
to understand drivers of illegal poaching.
d) Facilitate
and support the delivery of training to customs agents, local judiciary and
community members in line with project objectives.
e) Act
as the main focal between international and national project partners.
f) Ensure
timely financial and activity reporting for the project to partners, Durrell
management and the donors.
g) Represent
Durrell and the IWT project in national and international workshops and events.
h) Support
the captive breeding programmes based in Ampijoroa for our chelonian species
and liaise with Durrell Wildlife Park staff.
Dimensions:
Staff
The project manager
will be responsible for the field teams running current project activities
within Baly Bay.
Job location
The position is
based at Durrell’s Programme head office in Antananarivo, with significant
level of travel within the country to Durrell field sites and also
internationally when necessary.
Overall requirements
for the post
• A
minimum MSc in a biological or socio-ecological field
• 2/3
years project management experience within an international organisation and
involving multiple partners
• Demonstrated
good inter-personal skills and an ability to work with a diverse range of
stakeholders
• Demonstrated
experience working in field projects within challenging conditions in the
developing world.
• Demonstrated
experience managing complex projects involving a range of stakeholders.
• Bilingual
in French and English
• Proficient
in use of MS Office and experience with social media as a communications tool.
• Strong
written and verbal communication skills
• Above
all a passion for nature conservation.
Desired experience
• An
understanding of, and experience with, illegal wildlife trade issues
• Experience
with hands-on animal management with a preference given to tortoise and turtle
species.
• Experience
of and appreciation for conservation challenges within Madagascar
More information and how to apply
The closing date for applications is Friday 8th August 2014.
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