Position title: Field Staff
Employment type: Fixed term, minimum 12 months
Location: Manu Learning Centre, Peru
Reports to: Research Field Coordinator, Education Field Coordinator
Start Date: November 2016
About crees
Crees is a Peruvian-based not for profit organisation that runs research, sustainable initiatives, education and ecotourism in the Manu Biosphere Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon. Crees is dedicated to supporting a sustainable Amazon through understanding the value of the rainforest and helping local people to access its resources in ways that are both profitable and that will preserve the forest for the future.
Crees’ Conservation Research Programme generates important knowledge about the value – and potential value – of biodiversity, ecosystem services and socioeconomic initiatives for local communities, businesses and the Peruvian government. It has specialised in areas of historic and current disturbance within the Manu National Park’s surrounding buffer zone and is now expanding to include protected primary forest located within the National Park.
Crees’ Community Programme supports local community members to develop sustainable businesses models. This programme provides the capital, training and resources that local entrepreneurs need to form and grow sustainable businesses that transform local resources in a sustainable way. Crees also facilitates environmental education, working with local people, international volunteers, students and tourists.
Job Overview
The crees foundation is seeking experienced and passionate field staff who will:
– Assist in conducting the field research objectives of the crees Foundation
– Assist in the delivery of crees’ Education Programme and management of international volunteers
– Serve as a mentor to conservation research interns
– Communicate the research goals of the crees foundation and the wider context of crees’ vision in Manu to all crees visitors (volunteers, tourists, students, and other guests)
This role principally involves leading and educating groups of volunteers to conduct crees Foundation biodiversity research and community project work. The successful candidate will possess experience with remote field work in Neotropical environments. They will possess excellent communication skills vital to representing the crees Foundation to diverse audiences, including volunteers, community members and visitors, through professional and engaging presentations. They will provide high quality intern mentoring and assist in continuous volunteer management and training. This role requires thorough knowledge of crees’ research and community projects, excellent problem solving skills, and the ability to work well under pressure. There may be scope to develop individual research projects depending on the candidate’s expertise.
Key Responsibilities
1. Implement crees foundation research projects across multiple field sites
2. Ensure that all data collection and data input is secure, standardised and of high quality
3. Lead groups of interns, volunteers, and students in field data collection and on-base activities
4. Oversee the implementation of at least one of the Crees Foundation’s long-term monitoring protocols
5. Deliver training sessions for Crees Foundation interns, volunteers and students in tropical ecology, conservation and field survey techniques
6. Oversee logistics for transportation of volunteers between Cusco and Manu
7. Assist in the writing of monthly research reports to an excellent standard
8. Maintain excellent communication with the Research Field Coordinator in order to deliver crees research projects to a consistently high standard
9. Maintain excellent communication with the Education Field Coordinator in order to deliver educational activities to a consistently high standard
10. Actively develop personal expertise as both an educator and researcher over time
11. Ensure that you and the volunteers you supervise uphold health and safety protocols at all times
12. Lead by example to uphold Crees’ Code of Conduct and act professionally at all times
Skills and Experience Required
13. Minimum six months experience performing biodiversity research in the Neotropics
14. Knowledge of tropical ecology, conservation issues and research methods
15. Previous experience working with at least one of the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, invertebrates, reptiles and/or amphibians
16. Desire and ability to live and work for extended periods in a remote rainforest environment
17. Experience with scientific writing
18. Experience giving presentations
19. Ability train and supervise volunteers and students on surveys
20. Proven ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team
21. Energetic and self-motivated personality with excellent interpersonal skills
22. Excellent problem solving skills
23. At least a basic to intermediate level of Spanish, with desire to improve
24. High-level organizational skills, including the ability to organize and prioritize work activities in a demanding, busy environment
25. Ability to obtain a valid national police check
Desirable Skills and Experience
26. Educated to undergraduate level in conservation biology, tropical ecology or a related discipline (highly desirable)
27. Experience with GPS mapping (highly desirable)
28. Certification in wilderness first aid
29. First aid instructor (preferably Emergency First Response)
30. Experience working in remote expedition environments
Relationships
This position reports to the Education Field Coordinator and Research Field Coordinator
Salary/Working Conditions
This position is based at Crees’ field location, the Manu Learning Centre, in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru.
Some travel will be required between Manu and Cusco where some office-based work will be required.
12 month contract subject to a 3 month probation
Salary is based on experience
Accommodation and 3 meals per day provided whilst at the Manu Learning Centre (90% of time)
Accommodation provided in Cusco (10%) of time
Contribution towards international flights and insurance. These costs will be reimbursed in the last quarter of the 12 month employment period.
28 days holiday allowance
Please send the following to Jocelyn West, crees Education Programme Manager: jocelyn@crees-manu.org
Application Requirements
– CV (no more than two pages)
– One page cover letter
– A document addressing the numbered selection criteria above, using same section titles
Applications are open until the 9th of October
More info: http://www.crees-manu.org/job-opportunity-field-staff/
