Primate-Jobs
Positions Available

Chimpanzee habituation leader in Djouroutou, Tai National Park, Côte d’Ivoire

Hiring Organization:
Wild Chimpanzee Foundation

Date Posted:
2012-12-20

Position Description:
We are seeking a volunteer habituation team leader to assist in the ongoing habituation of a group of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire.

The volunteer will be responsible for the supervision and coordination of a team of 8 local guides in the southwest of the Taï NP, near the village of Djouroutou, who are working daily in the park to habituate a group of chimpanzees for ecotourism and conservation. Taï NP is the largest protected area of west African tropical rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and impressively holds 12 species of primates, including chimpanzees, as well as forest elephants, pigmy hippos, leopard, and various species of forest duikers amongst others.
The guides collect data each day on the chimpanzees that they follow and this data must be checked and validated by the volunteer. Simple analysis will also have to be carried out to follow the evolution of the habituation process. We need a volunteer who can push forward the habituation and ensure a constant following of the chimpanzee group. The volunteer will also be expected to report back to the WCF in Abidjan, and to keep contact with the local Park authorities. At times the volunteer will also be expected to travel to the Abidjan office to work with the WCF staff.
Chimpanzee habituation is a demanding job that involves long days and hard work in an isolated African rainforest environment; however, it presents an excellent opportunity to gain genuine field experience for those hoping to go on into field research. The Chimpanzees are far along in the habituation process and can be followed on a daily basis. The volunteer is expected to participate in data collection and will thereby gain much experience in field techniques.

Qualifications/Experience:
This job presents the ideal opportunity for an individual with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree who is hoping to go on into postgraduate research or conservation work but requires field-experience. Existing fieldwork experience is therefore not required; however, successful applicants should have a good level of physical fitness and be able to work independently under basic conditions in a hot and humid forest environment. The volunteer will mainly live with local people in the forest camp and will have a room and kitchen when staying in the local village.

Salary/funding:
The position is on a volunteer basis.

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
WCF will cover only the candidate’s travel and lodging costs. A monthly stipend for food expenses will also be provided.

Term of Appointment:
Jan 2013 - ongoing; minimum one year on site

Application Deadline:
ASAP

Contact Information:
Dervla Dowd
Abidjan
Cote d'Ivoire

Telephone Number:
+ 225 02252959

Website:
http://www.wildchimps.org

E-mail Address:
dervla.dowd@gmail.com