MAUBIG
JF-Expert Member
- Apr 3, 2012
- 1,039
- 855
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Job Title: Principal 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: Terrestrial Field Projects in Tanzania, Madagascar, Cambodia or Costa Rica
Marine Field Projects in Tanzania, Madagascar or Fiji
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 and training of junior staff;
- Management, support, training and motivation of 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 socio-economic survey work and biological work including vegetation surveys; bats;
reptiles; and amphibians, 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;
- 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;
FRONTIER, 50-52 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3QP. United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 207 613 2422 - F: +44 (0) 207 613 2992
- To provide the Operations and Research and Development Managers with regular progress
updates;
- Assist with the logistical operations relating to the project including administration and
management of finances; production of accounts and reports; allocation, use and
maintenance of project resources; management of local staff; and supervision of the
activities of and ensuring the health and safety of project staff, volunteers and host country
participants.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Contract Duration: 12 or 18 months, possibility of extension.
Accommodation: Basic accommodation provided at field project.
Travel: Contribution to an international airfare (capped) plus internal travel as
necessary to the fulfilment of duties.
Insurance: Employer's liability insurance provided.
Subsistence: Food provided on project site. Subsistence allowance provided off project
site.
Salary: Up to £1000 fee (per annum) on successful completion of contract depending
on a candidate's experience, qualifications, & availability plus £50 per peer
reviewed publication & at the manager's discretion.
Training: BTEC assessor training & pre-departure training provided.
JOB SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE
Qualifications
Education/Knowledge:
- Postgraduate in environmental /
biological science
- First aid qualification
- Minimum PADI AOW or equivalent
(Marine projects only)
- Knowledge of natural resource
management and rural
development
- PhD
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
- 4WD experience
Personal Attributes: - Demonstrable commitment to
conservation
- Physical fitness
FRONTIER, 50-52 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3QP. United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 207 613 2422 - F: +44 (0) 207 613 2992
- Resilient and mature, with the
ability to work as a team in basic
living conditions
- Flexible approach
- High attention to detail
- Ability to motivate others
