Job Description
CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH ASSISTANT
LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK
Vacancy: African Parks is looking for an experienced Conservation and Research Assistant for Liwonde National Park in Malawi.
Position Title: Conservation and Research Assistant, Liwonde National Park
Position role: Reporting to the Conservation and Research Manager, the primary function of this role is to assist with the organization and carrying-out of conservation research, data collection, and ecological monitoring. Support special projects and conservation initiatives. Contribute to increasing the ecological and scientific understanding of the Liwonde ecosystem. Support other departments through data sharing and collaboration. The candidate must be responsible and well-organized, documenting and filing reports on all initiatives including progress and annual reports on projects, and wildlife/ecological management plans. The Conservation and Research Assistant will assist in the development and implementation of Liwonde’s Long-Term Sustainability Strategies and associated planning spreadsheets, research frameworks, and monitoring programs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with planning, designing, and carrying-out data collection to answer key ecological questions in and around Liwonde. Activities may include, but are not limited to, aerial surveys, camera trapping, ornithological monitoring, botanical surveys, animal immobilization and collaring, and meteorological monitoring.
- Support improving on processes of data collection, compilation, and generation of outputs to serve management decisions, ensuring that the principle of adaptive management is followed for informing and improving the management decision-making process. Collate data received from various data collection efforts, other departments, and external sources to make more efficient how data is used to inform management decisions across the park.
- Assist with the development and implementation of ANP’s Long-Term Sustainability Strategies and associated planning spreadsheets, research frameworks, and monitoring programs.
- Support development and implement of an array of management plans in regards to key species and ecological processes, including but not limited to fire management, elephants, and huma-wildlife conflict mitigation.
- Support the development of and carry-out the activities needed to monitor key species, including contributing data and information to the Law Enforcement team to support the protection of wildlife in Liwonde.
- Work closely with the Community Department to examine the relationships between humans and their environment across space and time, especially focusing on grazing and water access management in coordination with relevant partners.
- Participate in activities that promote understanding of ecology and instill pride in conservation in the communities through sharing of findings and contributing to educational programs.
- Support the Conservation and Research Manager to ensure sound management of the Conservation Department, ensuring activities outlined in the park’s business plan are completed, in-budget, and reported on, on-time. Contribute to annual department-level budget development for conservation and research activities, and management of budget.
- Ensure the compliance with AP SOPs in all activities.
- Instill professionalism in the Conservation Department team and any staff that is worked with. Always meet deadlines, uphold commitments, and support other staff members whenever possible.
- Support student interns and external researchers in Liwonde. Build relationships with external educational and research institutions.
Required qualifications, competencies and experience:
- Minimum of undergraduate degree in ecology, park management, wildlife conservation, or equivalent.
- Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience in ecology, conservation, wildlife management, or related research, preferably in a national park.
- A strong knowledge of computer programs with relevant software package ability: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and analytical software such as ARC GIS and statistical packages, with evidence of proficiency.
- Excellent written and verbal command of English and Chichewa will be an advantage.
- Physically fit and ability to work in remote areas; between 20 and 40 years of age.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, pay close attention to details, and produce highly accurate work.
- Relevant experience in monitoring / aerial / other types of survey methodology, including the associated equipment and technology (e.g. VHF telemetry, camera traps, GPS units, etc.) with evidence of understanding of each.
- Experience working in multi-cultural environments.
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills, and experience with planning documents, budget, and management strategies helpful.
- Clean record of conduct (no convictions).
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability to swim.
Applicants should submit their CVs with covering letter. At least three traceable referees should be included. Applications should be emailed to recruitMalawi@africanparks.org by close of business on Friday 10th January, 2025. Only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged.