Position: Scientific Officer

Summary

The Scientific Officer (SO) has overall management and operational responsibility for Elephants for Africa’s research program in Botswana, including financial reporting and fundraising for existing and new research projects, reporting to the Director and the NGO board. Our current areas of research interest are centred around the social and ecological requirements of male elephants and human-elephant interactions, including human-elephant conflict. The SO will have shared responsibility for logistics and maintenance of the field camp. The SO will be based in our research camp on the Boteti River near the village of Khumaga and will conduct, develop and maintain the research for Elephants for Africa (EfA) from here and ensure it is of the highest quality.  Our current areas of research interest are centred around the social and ecological requirements of male elephants and human-elephant interactions, including human-elephant conflict.

This role is initially for a period of one year.

Responsibilities:

• Management and delivery of research program in Botswana, including logistics, staff management and administration related to the research program
• Conducting behavioural data collection on elephants, elephant photo identification, deploying and monitoring of camera traps. These may change as we develop new research programs
• Ongoing quality-checking of data collection and data input, to ensure accuracy and consistency;
• Data analyses, including GIS, and basic statistical analysis;
• Writing and editing of reports and scientific publications;
• Presenting and creating presentations describing EfA’s core work and findings to a variety of audiences, including school children, tourists, university students and other interested parties;
• Training new staff members and students on research protocols, including behavioural data collection, elephant identification, data input and data checking;
• Infield assistance of local and international students (Masters & PhD level);
• Development of research proposals for new and expanding research interests;
• Preparation of data for quarterly reports, annual reports and reports to donors;
• Preparation of grant applications for research funding;
• Budgeting for new research projects;
• Representing and promoting EfA and our conservation goals at a range of stakeholder meetings;
• Creating posts and blogs for uploading to EfA’s social media streams;
• Any other responsibilities relevant to meeting the requirements of the position

Post requirements:

• Minimum Master’s degree in ecology, conservation or environmental sciences with at least 2 years’ additional experience working in a conservation research organisation(s)
• Human-wildlife conflict knowledge would be highly desirable
• Full clean drivers licence held for a minimum of 3 years, competent and confident in vehicle handling. Off-road driving experience would be advantageous
• Experience in budgeting and writing funding proposal
• Experience of managing a team is preferable
• Computer literacy to a high level in Microsoft Office, including Access
• Experience in QGIS (or equivalent) and R (or equivalent)
• Ability to work in a small team of people for extended periods of time in the field, and to cope with basic living conditions in the research camp.
• Excellent English communication skills and confidence in public speaking.
• A high level of enthusiasm for your work, and an ability to work independently with good self-motivation skills

Post offers:

• Salary in line with experience, NGO sector and location
• Food and accommodation (a safari-style tent) will be provided during your time-based in the field camp.
• All costs associated with conducting research will be covered by the organisation, which will include equipment necessary to fulfil the role.
• When appropriate opportunities to develop skills and experience arise (e.g. conferences, workshops etc.) EfA will endeavour to support your attendance.

Apply with covering letter and CV to admin@elephantsforafrica.org.

Location: Elephants for Africa Camp, Khumaga, Botswana

Start date: January 2021

Deadline : 2100 6^th November 2020