Assistant Coordinator with sea turtles in Sal Island, Cabo Verde

Project Biodiversity is looking for the right candidate to join our team as an Assistant Coordinator, from June until October, for the 2019 Loggerhead nesting season in Sal Island, Cape Verde. We need a passionate, driven individual who wishes to help us protect this incredible species in its native habitat.

Why we need you!

In 2007 it was estimated that the Loggerhead population in Cape Verde would be extinct by 2015 if immediate actions weren’t taken to halt the illegal hunt and trade of turtle meat and human-induced threats to the population. For the last 10 years, both international volunteers and members of the local community have worked tirelessly to ensure protection of the female turtles – by patrolling the beaches nightly throughout the nesting season, educating members of the community about turtle conservation, and working with the government to improve regulations. While the number of turtles killed has drastically reduced, the illegal poaching and trafficking still persist.

In 2019, we aim to further empower the community to take action to protect turtles, through direct beach protection, as well as grassroots education and engagement. As a crucial part of our team, you will have the opportunity to directly contribute to the conservation of this endangered species, and ultimately help build a more sustainable Cape Verde.

Loggerhead nesting season runs from June to October, with hatchlings emerging from mid-August to late December. Throughout the season the team of Project Biodiversity is made up of local and international assistants and volunteers. Our work involves patrolling beaches (night and morning) monitoring nesting and to deter hunting, collecting data, conducting research, collaborating with tourists and local businesses, operating hatcheries, running education and outreach activities and organising beach cleans. Although there is a wide scope of activities within the project, protection of nesting turtles continues to be the main focus and whilst this can be stressful and tiring, it is ultimately highly rewarding.

This opportunity will not only provide you with good experience of turtle conservation techniques, but also allow you to make a real difference to the survival of marine turtles. Your participation will allow for opportunities to be directly responsible for saving numerous nesting turtles and hatchlings, and to experience a high level of satisfaction from being able to rapidly affect the situation in Cabo Verde.

What does it take to be an Assistant Coordinator?

The position of Assistant Coordinator is open to candidates with a commitment to a career in conservation and a particular interest in working with marine turtles. You will gain valuable field experience conducting the following:

• Track identification
• Collection of biometric data
• Tagging and identifying previously tagged females
• Nest relocations and excavations
• Training Field Assistants and International Volunteers

Project Biodiversity’s strategy for the sea turtle protection campaign is to put together a strong, motivated team of international volunteers and local Cabo Verdeans. During the nesting season, the international participants are an important asset for the patrolling of the nesting beaches, and are the biggest part of the field camp team. As Assistant Coordinator your main duties are to assist in the logistics of the field camp and the supervision of the team.

More specifically your duties will be:

• Welcoming new volunteers and introducing them to camp protocols.
• Assisting with data checking and correct care of our hatcheries.
• Assisting the volunteer coordinator with group activities/challenges aimed at maintaining the wellbeing of camp mentality.
• To assist the Coordinators with tasks such as;
• Maintaining camp equipment.
• Ensuring proper care of patrol equipment.
• Organising and monitoring adherence to camp duties/cleaning schedules.
• Assisting patrols during the night and morning with any needs such as relocation of nests, lost turtles etc.
• Maintaining a safe and clean camp environment.
• Transporting teams to and from patrol beaches situated away from camp.
• Coordinating pickup of weekly food shopping and daily bread pick-ups.

In addition to these specific duties, you will also participate in night patrols to deter hunters, data collection, track identification, tagging of turtles and assisting with the training of the field assistants and volunteers. There will also be day patrols to relocate nests to the hatcheries or other locations on the beach. Following the end of the season, you will also be responsible for monitoring and excavating nests and releasing hatchlings.

We need motivated, enthusiastic and flexible people with a strong desire to make a difference. You must have previous fieldwork experience on a turtle project. You will be based in a camp on the beach for six nights per week, with the opportunity to spend your rest night in an apartment in Santa Maria.

After a probationary period, you will be expected to pass a written and practical test. Following your training period we would like you to lead patrols & supervise assistants, volunteers and local monitors.

This is not a volunteering position and will give you solid work experience that will help you to continue your career in conservation, but living under these conditions can be challenging, extremely tiring and stressful: you will work during the night as well as during the day! A good level of fitness and physical and mental energy is required as patrols are long (possibly all night), conducted on foot and may be as long as 15km. Shift patterns vary but you will have 1 day of rest per week. Read the FAQs on Project Biodiversity website (projectbiodiversity.org) for more information.

Requirements for Assistant Coordinator:

• Understand written and spoken English and basic Portuguese (minimum)
• At least 21 years’ old.
• Hold a full driving license with experience in off-road driving conditions.
• Desire to work in conservation.
• Previous fieldwork experience on a turtle project.
• Experience in similar working conditions.
• High level of energy and flexibility.
• Good attention to detail.
• Good level of physical fitness.
• Used to physically challenging conditions (long walks, late nights, hot weather, insects).
• Ability to work and live with people of different backgrounds and nationalities.
• Able to work independently and show initiative.

Other Desirable Skills:

• Other spoken languages particularly Portuguese, Spanish or Cape Verdean Kriolo.
• Experience organising group dynamics activities.
• Relevant qualification.
• Previous experience managing volunteers in a similar project.

What is provided for?

Project Biodiversity is based in Santa Maria, a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and water-sports. You will be based in the field camp out of town with self-catering accommodation in Santa Maria provided on your rest days. Meals are provided for in camp but are not provided on the days off. See FAQs for camp conditions.

The salary for the Assistant Coordinator position is €300 per month and you will have to cover your flights and insurance personally. The Project request the payment of a deposit of 100€ to cover any costs of breaking or damage for misuse of project equipment. As an Assistant Coordinator, you will not be requested to pay this, but any cost derived of breakage or damage of material due to misuse or lack of responsibility will be deducted from your salary.

Sign me up!

Applications will be open from Jan 15th until February 28th. Please read the application procedure carefully, you can find the application form and process at

https://www.projectbiodiversity.org/how-to-apply

The Assistant Coordinator position is for the entire nesting season from June 7th (latest start date) until October 20th (earliest end date). You must be available during these dates to apply for this position.