Zoo Jobs: International Technical Adviser

International Technical Adviser

Organisation: Save Vietnam's Wildlife

Salary: 312,000,000 VND ($US15,000) pa

Location: Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Hours: Full Time

Position type: Paid

Contract: Fixed Term Contract

Closing date: Fri 31 October 14

Website: www.facebook.com/save.vietnams.wildlife

Contact name: Thai Nguyen

Contact telephone: +84303848053

Contact email: asianpangolin@gmail.com

Save Vietnam’s Wildlife is a national conservation Non-Profit Organisation in Vietnam that has grown from the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program since it was founded in 1995. Our mission is to secure a future for wild populations of threatened wildlife in Vietnam through rescuing individual animals, protecting entire populations and ensuring secure habitats.

We act to choose the best solutions which have high conservation value, are scientifically sound and consider human needs, empowering people to take action.

The Technical Advisor will report to the Director, Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, but will also be required to maintain regular contact with the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust in the UK (the primary funding body for this post). He or she will work closely with the existing team to deliver an excellent husbandry programme for the small carnivores and pangolins held at Cuc Phuong National Park including health monitoring, environmental enrichment, live food production and captive breeding of Owston’s civet. Importantly, the Technical Advisor will also help develop fund-raising and communication strategies and will be expected to contribute to grant applications and updating websites and social media.

Start date: January 2015

Duration of contract: 1 year; preference will be given to candidates prepared to stay for two years.

Probation period: 3 months

Salary: 312,000,000 VND per annum (approx. £9,000) plus annual international return flights and visas (For who may not be familiar with the cost here, total local living cost and accommodation are less than 20% of your salary). Travel insurance is the responsibility of the employee but will also be covered by the project.

Location: Cuc Phuong National Park, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province

Accommodation: will be provided at Cuc Phuong National Park.

Benefits: 12 working days annual holiday following Vietnamese Labour law, plus 10 national holiday days.

Hours of work: 8 hours each day and 5 days/week. However, as the animals within the centre are nocturnal it is expected that the employee would sometimes work during the evenings. Any overtime will be accrued and time given off in lieu.

Working with: Save Vietnam’s Wildlife /WWCT staff, including those based at Cuc Phoung and in the UK; other NGO partners; government departments; visiting researchers; and community organisations.

Essential criteria:

Qualifications:

Educated to degree level in biology, or a related topic, or with equivalent experience.

Knowledge and experience:

Significant experience in the field of captive animal management.
Sound knowledge of wildlife and habitat conservation.
Experience of working in a multi-faceted project, including planning and development, monitoring outputs, writing reports and managing budgets.
Experience of living and working in a tropical country.
Demonstrable experience of working effectively with a number of partners including communities, government departments and NGO’s.

Skills and personal qualities:

Dynamic, effective team leadership skills with ability to work under own initiative.
Good communicator; able to write, speak and present with a high level of proficiency in English.
Excellent administration and organisation skills.
Computer literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, website management and social media.
Highly motivated, good humoured and positive personality.
Creative, adaptable and resourceful to meet the demands of a challenging environment.
Active, fit and healthy.

Desirable criteria:

Familiar with south-east Asian conservation issues and living/working in Vietnam/Asia.
Experience of captive husbandry of small mammals.
Proven fundraising skills and experience of writing successful grant applications.
Driving licence and ability to ride a motorbike.
Ability to maintain basic equipment and vehicles.
Some knowledge of Vietnamese would be advantageous.
Willingness to travel as required.