Principal Investigator - Madagascar Marine

Job Title: Principle 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: Marine Field Project in Madagascar

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, training and motivation of junior staff and 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 community-based conservation work and biological work including reef site surveys; fish; benthic; turtles 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 and administration and management of finances

- 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;

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Contract Duration:

12 months, possibility of an 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 & Admin:

Employer’s liability insurance provided.

Subsistence:

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

Salary:

Training:

£600- £800 (per annum) on successful completion of contract depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, & availability plus £300-£500 end of contract bonus and £50-£75 per peer reviewed publication at the manager’s discretion.

Pre-departure training provided.

JOB SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE Qualifications Education/Knowledge:

- Postgraduate in environmental / biological science

- First aid qualification

- Minimum PADI rescue diver or equivalent

- 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

- Flexible approach

- High attention to detail

- Physical fitness

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