Master's in Conservation Biology Program Director

Master's in Conservation Biology Program Director

AIM OF THE POSITION

The key focus of this position is overseeing and managing Gorongosa National Park’s BioEducation Program activities in the Department of Science with a particular emphasis on the Master’s in Conservation Biology Program.

The incumbent oversees science education activities in the Department of Science in Gorongosa National Park.  The program includes a biodiversity internship component for high school graduates, a scientific workshop series for undergraduates and recent graduates, and the Gorongosa Master’s Program in Conservation Biology (https://gorongosa.org/masters-program/ ).  The latter is a fulltime (24 months) program that supports 12 Mozambican students in each cohort. The master’s program is currently training its third group of students, and it operates in the context of an academic consortium formed by three Mozambican institutions of higher learning, the University of Lisbon, and the Gorongosa Restoration Project.

Running the master’s program is the primary focus of this position and includes coordinating the program’s curriculum and international volunteer faculty, liaising with Mozambican academic partners, teaching courses in the program, and mentoring students in their thesis work.  The latter includes the development of research projects, mentoring students in their research, analyses, and writing, running a journal club and writing workshop, editing theses, and coordinating thesis defenses.

The person in this role is also responsible for managing the program’s budget and reporting annually to the program’s donor.  The incumbent manages and mentors the program’s logistics and academics coordinator and field technicians.  The incumbent also organizes the scientific workshop series and may opt to teach workshops as well.  The incumbent organizes a biennial conservation meeting for students and professionals.  The person in this role can also be expected to contribute to broader science and conservation activities in Gorongosa National Park.  The person may conduct research in the park, particularly with the master’s students.

STARTING DATE: 1 February 2023

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

The Gorongosa Restoration Project emphasises capacity building and gender equality. The Scientific Services strives for mutual support and respect, and works with overlapping and fluid responsibilities rather than operating along strict hierarchical lines or in a segmented manner. The incumbent will be part of a small, multi-national team of approximately 15 permanent staff with a varied educational, experiential, cultural and language background.   

The facilities of the Science Department include the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory that allow for a wide range of experimental and analytical work, including a molecular/chemical ecology lab, an ambient lab, and biological collections. These facilities are regularly used by the students and faculty participating in the BioEducation Program.

The incumbent will be based in Chitengo (the central camp of the park), Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. This is a tropical environment.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE APPLICANT

• PhD in Ecology, Conservation Biology, or a related field;
• A minimum of five years of work experience including some fulltime or part-time international teaching experience at the undergraduate or graduate level ;
• Experience in designing and conducting research projects with students;
• Fluent in English and Portuguese (although for the latter a working knowledge and willingness to intensively study the language will be acceptable);
• Strong organizational/program coordination skills;
• Tactfulness, respect and tolerance with regard to the diversity and the different backgrounds of colleagues, students and other stakeholders;
• The incumbent must be able to operate independently and should neither expect nor require day-to-day supervision.

ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALITIES

• Publication record in peer-reviewed literature;
• Project management experience;
• Successful grant writing experience;
• Previous working and living experience in sub-Saharan Africa;
• Previous experience with 4x4 driving.

The successful candidate will be deeply dedicated to conservation and education and will work positively as a member of a close team.  The person should also enjoy living and working remotely.

REPORTING: This position reports to the Director of Science of Gorongosa National Park.

WORKING HOURS AND CYCLES: This position will require the incumbent to be available at times outside normal working hours and over weekends. A flexible arrangement will be made with the Director of Science to take into account the irregular working time. This may result in longer periods of continuous working days alternated with longer periods of time off.

The incumbent will be permitted to live and work off-base during the period of 15 December – 5 February. The incumbent will be expected to take at least 50% of the annual leave days during this period.

ACCOMODATION:  The GRP will provide accommodation to the incumbent free of charge.

TRAVELING: The GRP will annually pay for two economy return airfares between Gorongosa and the incumbent’s base. 

REMUNERATION: The salary will be determined through negotiation that takes into account the current salary level of the position and the candidates’ experience and qualifications. 

ABOUT THE GORONGOSA RESTORATION PROJECT: Much of the large wildlife of Gorongosa, the oldest and best known of Mozambique’s National Parks was lost during a protracted Civil War and its immediate aftermath. Restoration efforts have accelerated since 2005 through the commitment of the Gorongosa Restoration Project (GRP). A co-management agreement was formally signed in 2008 with the Government of Mozambique. Following 13-years of successful implementation, the Long Term Agreement (LTA) was formally renewed in 2018 for a further 25 years. The GRP is responsible for the protection, management and development of the nearly 4,000 km² (400,000 hectares) of Gorongosa National Park. The GRP follows a dual approach of conservation and human development, with the latter focused on the 6,000 km² (600,000 ha) Buffer Zone that surrounds the National Park.

DEADLINE FOR ENQUIRIES AND APPLICATION: 31 December 2022

TO APPLY, SUBMIT A COVER LETTER AND CV with contacts for three professional references to Dr Marc Stalmans stalmans@gorongosa.net and Dr Tara Massad tmassad@gorongosa.net