Primate-Jobs
Positions Available

Chimpanzee,Red colobus and Mangabey habituation team leader and Ecotourism assistant in Taï National Park , Côte d’Ivoire

Hiring Organization:
Wild Chimpanzee Foundation

Date Posted:
2012-12-20

Position Description:
We are seeking a volunteer assistant to help in the ongoing habituation of 3 primate groups (chimpanzee, sooty mangabey and red colobus) in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. 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 volunteer will assist the project coordinator based in the village of Taï, next to the park. The volunteer will largely be responsible for supervising a team of local guides working on the habituation of the primate groups in the forest. The guides collect data each day on the primate groups they track 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 3 primate groups. The volunteer will also be expected to report back to the coordinator in Taï. The volunteer will also assist the project coordinator when needed on other community based projects, and the development of the ecotourism activities.
Primate 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 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 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
Cote d'Ivoire

Telephone Number:
+ 225 02252925

Website:
http://www.wildchimps.org

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