Principal Investigator - Costa Rica

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Job Title:Principal Investigator

Reporting to:Research and Development and Operations Managers, London HQ

Responsible to:The Directors of the Society & the Research and Development and Operations Managers, London HQ

Location:Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

PRIMARY FUNCTION

To co-ordinate the research programme, involving overall supervision of the biological surveys and implementation of community-based conservation projects.

GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE ROLE

-To take overall responsibility for the leadership of the project;

-Development and implementation of the research programme;

-To liaise, develop and maintain relationships with collaborators;

-Supervision and training of junior staff;

-Management, support, training and motivation of volunteers / research assistants;

-Preparation of project reports and publication of results in scientific journals;

-Preparation of project and funding proposals with the Project Coordinator or Country Coordinator and Research and Development and Operations Managers (London HQ);

-Representing the technical side of the project when liaising with relevant authorities, research institutes and international agencies;

-Assist with project logistics and administration.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

-To manage all members of the project field staff, supervise all aspects of their survey work and provide accredited and non-accredited training where necessary to achieve the project objectives;

-To develop and implement a standard work programme to cover each survey component namely socio-economic survey work and biological work including vegetation surveys; bats; reptiles; and amphibians, and selected invertebrate groups;

-To manage, support and develop volunteers / research assistants in all aspects of their participation on the project;

-To supervise the collection and processing of accurate field data and specimen collections for all survey components; 

-To ensure that the specimens collected are appropriately preserved and delivered to the relevant taxonomist for identification;

-To liaise with taxonomists to ensure the timely identification of specimens and the incorporation of an accurate species list in each technical report;

-To produce technical reports, scientific papers and project planning documents to a schedule agreed with the Research and Development and Operations Managers;

-To assist the Operations and Research and Development Managers with technical information required for the production of project planning documents and specific funding proposals;

-To manage and supervise the maintenance of project resources;

-To liaise with other relevant organisations, including the project funding organisation, the local University, and individuals to develop the project and its scientific resources, particularly relevant scientific references;

-To provide the Operations and Research and Development Managers with regular progress updates;

-Assist with the logistical operations relating to the project including administration and management of finances; production of accounts and reports; allocation, use and maintenance of project resources; management of local staff; and supervision of the activities of and ensuring the health and safety of project staff, volunteers and host country participants.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Contract Duration:12 months, possibility of extension.

Accommodation:Basic accommodation provided at field project. 

Travel:Capped contribution to international airfare plus internal travel as necessary to the fulfilment of duties.

Insurance:Employer’s liability insurance provided.

Subsistence:Food provided on project site. Subsistence allowance provided off project site.

Salary:£600- £800 (per annum) on successful completion of contract depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, & availability plus £150 end of contract bonus and £50 per peer reviewed publication at the manager’s discretion.

Training:BTEC assessor training & pre-departure training provided.

JOB SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge:

-Postgraduate in environmental / biological science 

-First aid qualification

-Minimum PADI rescue diver or equivalent (Marine projects only)

-Knowledge of natural resource management and rural development

Experience:

-Minimum 1 year field research experience, preferably in the tropical environment

-Experience of field project management

-Experience of data analysis & report-writing

-Experience supporting / managing volunteers

-Experience of GIS applications

-Experience of budget and financial management

-Experience working with local communities

-Experience of donor liaison and writing of funding proposals

Skills:

-Excellent written/oral communication and presentation skills

-Administrative and time management skills

-Ability to manage and train junior research staff 

-Strong leadership skills

-Knowledge of local language

-Technically orientated

Personal Attributes:

-Demonstrable commitment to conservation

-Resilient and mature, with the ability to work as a team in basic living conditions

-Flexible approach

-High attention to detail 

-Ability to motivate others

-Physical fitness