TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position/Jabatan : Biodiversity Research and Monitoring Officer
Program : Sulawesi
Period : -
Based in/Lokasi : Manado
Line Manager/Manajer Lini : Sulawesi Biodiversity Monitoring Coordinator
Background
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has a distinguished history of scientists exploring and saving wildlife in some of the most remote and wild places remaining on Earth. WCS has long recognized that successful conservation requires a long-term commitment to individuals and places. Such a commitment has defined the culture and style of the Global Conservation Program, including the Indonesia Program.
The fauna of Sulawesi (formerly Celebes) is considered among the most distinctive in Indonesia, with high levels of endemism among terrestrial mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates (Whitten et al., 1987; Gillespie et al., 2005). Current WCS activities in North Sulawesi include the conservation of Maleos (Macrocephalon maleo) through nesting site protection within and outside protected areas, supporting Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, in their work, including the conservation of Anoas and Babirusas and activities to reduce illegal hunting and wildlife trade across North Sulawesi.
Over time, WCS expanded its research activities to better understand the biodiversity value particularly on key target species (Maleo, Anoa, Babirusa and Sulawesi Black Macaque) within and outside protected areas. In order to achieve our overall goal of saving wildlife and wild places in Indonesia and in Sulawesi specifically, the WCS Indonesia Program is seeking to hire a “Biodiversity Research and Monitoring Officer”. The Biodiversity Research and Monitoring Officer will play a crucial role in coordinating and ensuring all planned research activities carried out well, including working with government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector and local communities.
The position will be based in Manado, North Sulawesi, with regular trips to field sites in North Sulawesi and beyond to conduct all planed research, monitoring and oversight, and provide direct technical advice. The Biodiversity Research and Monitoring Office will report directly to the WCS Sulawesi Biodiversity Monitoring Coordinator. Working closely with the WCS Protected Area Specialist, the Biodiversity Research and Monitoring Officer will lead the implementation of all aspect of WCS research activity including conducting maleo research and monitoring, biodiversity monitoring survey using camera traps (the largest ever conducted in Sulawesi), and to support the potential development of new projects elsewhere in Sulawesi. This position will be available for a period of one year with possibility of extension depending on available funding.
Position Responsibilities:
General
- Assist in the development of research methodologies and facilitate data gathering regarding Maleo and other wildlife, using scientifically sound designs.
- Assist in the planning of field research (including methodology, timeframe, budget, study sites, and partner)
- Lead a biodiversity monitoring survey using camera traps in Sulawesi.
- Provide direct participation or regular checks of field teams to ensure that research is conducting in line with operational plans and budgets.
- Working closely with GIS Specialist to map and identify possible locations for research and monitoring survey.
- Liaise with the WCS Science Unit on future genetic analysis of key species including Maleo to establish its distribution and the extent of gene flow between nesting grounds.
Project Development and Management
- Lead Maleo field staff in all Maleo project field activities, ensuring that workplans are adhered to, responsibilities delegated, and that all activities are completed in a timely fashion.
- Oversee the project sites of Hungayono, Tanjung Binerean, Muara Pusian and Tambun, including liaising with local wardens, collecting data, and managing payment for operations.
- Assist Sulawesi Biodiversity Monitoring Coordinator in the implementation of maleo research using satellite tracking and PIT tag including preparation and maintenance of drone.
- Working closely with Sulawesi Database Officer in data management and analysis.
- Assist in monitoring the implementation of Maleo project strategies and biodiversity monitoring survey and work with Sulawesi Biodiversity Monitoring Coordinator and Sulawesi Program Manager improve practice through careful analysis of project outcomes, and to adapt Maleo Project objectives and strategies in response to experience and changing conditions.
- Liaise with Logistic and Operational Assistant in assist procurement and maintenance of all project equipment.
- Providing capacity building and technical support to Program team and partners to ensure that the projects are effective and achieve targets.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Liaising and establishing good working relationships and/or strategic partnerships with key local stakeholders such as government, university, NGOs, private sector, donors and others to ensure the successful coordination, implementation and follow-up of project activities.
- Prepare activity updates/reports and assist in preparing financial reports as required by donors and/or stakeholders, in Indonesian or English, written or verbal, and submit monthly technical report to the Sulawesi Biodiversity Monitoring Coordinator.
- Provide technical and facilitating support to meetings, seminars, workshops and public outreach activities as required and formally represent WCS when necessary in such meetings, workshops and conferences.
- Write and publish research findings and scientific papers in close coordination with line supervisor and WCS science Unit on a regular basis in scientific journals, policy papers and technical reports.
Others
Undertake any other duties, as assigned by the Sulawesi Program Manager
Please note that the above TOR constitutes only the main responsibilities and duties of this position. As WCS-IP is a flexible organization, staffs members are expected to undertake any other tasks that are allocated to them but which are not part of their regular TOR.
Applications
Please send a covering letter and CV in English to idrecruitment@wcs.org no late than 31 July 2020, stating in the subject line “Biodiversity Research & Monitoring Officer_(name)”.
Please also include a portfolio of your previous work or links to blogs or galleries online.
No correspondence, only short-listed candidates will be notified.