Volunteer positions to work on Aldabra Atoll

Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2017 05:19:11 +0000
From: April Jaz <apriljaz@hotmail.com>
Subject: [Coral-List] Volunteer positions to work on Aldabra Atoll
UNESCO World Heritage Site
To: “coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov” <coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
Message-ID:
<VI1PR05MB1647174FB88A654214EDE3DAD84F0@VI1PR05MB1647.eurprd05.prod.outlook.com>

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The following two positions are now open to applicants:

1) Volunteer needed for data analysis work on Aldabra Atoll

The Seychelles Islands Foundation manages and protects the two Seychelles? UNESCO World Heritage sites, Aldabra Atoll and the Valle?e de Mai. We are seeking a volunteer with excellent experience in analysing ecological data to join our team on Aldabra for a period of 6?8 months.
Working under the Aldabra Scientific Coordinator (ASC) you will be set specific tasks relating to Aldabra data management. You will clean, analyse and write?up data to answer specific research questions that align with the Aldabra management plan objectives. You will also be tasked with setting up auto?analysis templates to allow frequent high level analysis of long?term data sets, ensuring that results are instantly available, providing the information required to make management decisions. There will be opportunities to contribute to or lead on scientific publications. The role will also involve general field work (terrestrial and marine) and data entry. Field work will include time at field camps in very basic conditions and walking in difficult terrain and high temperatures. This role offers a unique opportunity to experience and contribute to the conservation and monitoring of one of the planet?s most pristine ecosystems and apply your skills to streamline and improve a
long?term monitoring programme.

Criteria and specific skill set

*   ?  Strong data analysis skills and experience working with statistical programmes including R (Essential)

*   ?  Advanced knowledge and experience of Microsoft Excel and Access (Essential)

*   ?  Previous experience in dealing with large long?term datasets (Essential)

*   ?  A good understanding of ecological systems and drivers (Essential)

*   ?  Good general IT skills and understanding (Essential)

*   ?  Previous experience of field work and data collection (Essential)

*   ?  Report?writing experience in English (Essential)

*   ?  Experience on islands/remote areas (Desirable)

*   ?  Ability to use GPS and GIS software (Desirable)

*   ?  Strong communication/team skills, ability to get on well with people from different cultures (Essential)

*   ?  Excellent physical fitness, able to tolerate tropical heat & long hours in difficult terrain (Essential)

*   ?  Good work ethic ? reliable, committed, highly motivated, professional, and positive attitude (Essential)

*   ?  Independent, able to take initiative and co?exist in a tiny community with restricted facilities.

*   ?  Confidence in the water ? ability to swim well is essential.

*   ?  Medically fit ? ESSENTIAL ? It is not advisable, and potentially very dangerous, for anyone with a history of medical problems to apply as the nearest hospital is hours (or days) away by boat and plane.

2) Volunteer needed for monitoring & data processing on Aldabra Atoll

Working under the Aldabra Scientific Coordinator (ASC) you will work as part of the Aldabra research team, conducting routine monitoring on turtles, giant tortoises, birds, and plants. You will also be set specific tasks assisting in the organisation, development and streamlining of the Aldabra monitoring programme and library. With direction and training from the ASC you will assist in basic data cleaning and analysis, data collection, method development, report writing, mapping and other tasks. Fieldwork will include spending time at field camps in basic conditions, boat work, walking in difficult terrain and high temperatures and possibly marine work. This role offers a unique opportunity to experience and contribute to the conservation and monitoring of one of the planet?s most pristine ecosystems.

Criteria and specific skill set

*   ?  A degree in environmental/conservation science (Essential), and post?graduate degree (Desirable)

*   ?  Experience with ecological fieldwork and data collection (Essential), preferably on islands or other

remote/tropical areas

*   ?  Previous experience in dealing with large long?term datasets (Essential)

*   ?  Report?writing experience in English (Essential)

*   ?  Experience working with Microsoft Access and Excel (Essential)

*   ?  Experience in basic data analysis (Essential)

*   ?  Ability to use and apply GPS and GIS software (Essential)

*   ?  Literature review experience (Essential)

*   ?  Experience setting up monitoring programmes/surveys (Desirable)

*   ?  Confidence in the water ? ability to swim well is essential and marine/diving qualification (Desirable)

*   ?  Strong communication/team skills, ability to get on well with people from different cultures (essential)

*   ?  Excellent physical fitness, able to tolerate tropical heat & long hours in difficult terrain (essential)

*   ?  Good work ethic ? reliable, committed, highly motivated, professional, and positive attitude (essential)

*   ?  Independent and able to take initiative without close supervision, and co?exist in a tiny community with restricted facilities.

*   ?  Medically fit ? ESSENTIAL ? It is not advisable, and potentially very dangerous, for anyone with a history of medical problems to apply as the nearest hospital is hours (or days) away by boat and plane.

The successful candidate should be available in late March 2017 and will likely return in November 2017. Due to Aldabra’s extreme remoteness and the south?east trade winds that dominate weather throughout May?October it is rare to have transport on or off the atoll throughout this time and therefore applicants should be aware that once on the atoll, departure before November is unlikely. Please send applications (CV & cover letter) and queries to Dr Nancy Bunbury, nancy@sif.sc by Friday 17th February 2017.

Successful candidate will be responsible for costs to get to Seychelles but will be provided with accommodation for the duration of the contract and a small stipend (to cover food costs) plus SIF will manage costs of deployment to Aldabra.

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