Biomonitoring Manager - Vaalwater at CLS Human Capital Specialists

Job Purpose:
The successful candidate will be responsible for smooth running and management of the Biomonitoring Programme within one of the camps at the game reserve. Their duties will include managing the Biomonitoring Camp and coordinating monitoring and research data within this 36,000 hectare, Big 5 game reserve. This individual will report directly to the Research Ecologist of the reserve. This position will manage all aspects of the Biomonitoring Programme which provides essential biological data to assist in the management of the reserve, its priority species and in reserve-specific research requirements. It also entails
hosting volunteers and students in the tented camp for this purpose and exposing to and involving these persons in the collection of an extensive suite of infield monitoring undertaken on the game reserve. The hosting/ management will entail camp administration, logistical management and general camp maintenance on top of the research requirements, data analysis and reporting.

REQUIREMENTS
Minimum education/ qualifications (essential):

• BSc qualification or advanced diploma in a relevant field
• FGASA Level 1, (should you not have Level 1, it can be completed in 4 months after appointment) although Trails Guide (lead) qualification with SASSETA Unit will be
• advantageous.
• First Aid Level 1
• Public Drivers Permit (PDP)
• LEDET Registration to be able to guide.

Minimum education (desirable):

• BSc (Hons) (Zoology/Botany/Ecology) or MSc (Zoology/Botany/Ecology) or similar
• FGASA Trails Guide (lead) qualification with SASSETA Unit Standards Advanced Rifle Handling (FGASA Level 3 DG SKS)
• Firearm competencies
• First Aid Level 2

Minimum applicable experience (essential):

• 3 years conservation/research, reserve or general management experience.

Minimum applicable experience (desirable):

• 5 years conservation/research, reserve or general management experience.

Required nature of experience:

• Knowledge and skills related to the monitoring of large mammals and vegetation.
• General ecology in as far as these competencies support conservation management.
• Assistance with data gathering, collation and analysis in the wildlife environment and competency in appropriate software.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Day to day camp management and camp logistics for students/ volunteers.
• Data analysis and reporting to/ with a Research Ecologist/ Scientist.
• Management of staff, students and volunteers and development of day-to-day programs/ activities.
• Established recent publication record together with the successful supervision of postgraduate students (beneficial).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Comfortable working in a dynamic research environment interacting with fellow researchers, scientists and Reserve Management.
• Manage a biomonitoring programme for volunteer and student researchers.
• Supervision of volunteers and students in the camp and out in the field.
• Responsibility to ensure that firearms are regularly cleaned and maintained.
• Ensure that the volunteers/students are enthused by organising a diverse array of Reserve activities for them to be involved in.
• Retain all relevant legal qualifications in respect of the tourism industry, including but not limited to FGASA level 1, Trails Lead Guide (DG SKS), First Aid certificate, Public Drivers Permit and LEDET registration.
• Assist the Research Ecologist in ALL aspects of data collection, monitoring and report writing.
• Development of the annual budget in consultation with the Research Ecologist, CEO and Finance & Administration Manager through the provision of accurate estimates of operational and capital costs for the forthcoming year.

Other

• The successful candidate shall be required to relocate to the Reserve, near Vaalwater, where he/she will be provided accommodation (70 km from the nearest town).
• Short-listed applicants will be required to undergo a management and security evaluation as part of the screening process.
• Would be advantageous to speak a combination of these languages: English, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho/Pedi, Tswana
• As part of the volunteer activities, the incumbent is responsible for GPS mapping of Reserve infrastructure including water pipelines, underground electrical cables, overhead power lines, and maintaining updates of any changes to infrastructure.
• Accurate and detailed reporting to the Research Ecologist.
• Maintain a high level of administration.
• Achieve deadlines for administrative tasks.
• Required to work from the Research Student Camp and throughout the Reserve in addition to travelling to meetings within the Reserve and at major centres off the Reserve as and when required.