Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program

BBPP periodically has openings for paid staff based in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea's capital city on the northern tip of Bioko Island, or in the southern highlands town of Moka. These people serve as liaisons between BBPP's many on-island employees and friends and the group's senior staff in the United States. Ideal candidates are socially adept, detail-oriented self-starters who deal easily and efficiently with everyone from crusty American oil workers to semi-literate villagers to Equatoguinean government officials. They have a proven commitment to biodiversity conservation. Facility with the Spanish language is a must, as is a certain enthusiasm for logistics. A succinct job description is nearly impossible as these positions entail any number of unusual assignments. Above all, applicants must adapt well to cultural and physical adversity while still delivering results.

Nearly every successful applicant for our salaried on-island jobs has been to the island previously, usually as a part of our Caldera expedition or study abroad program.

Current openings: 2

Field Station Manager

Job Title: Manager, Moka Wildlife Center

Job Type: Full-time with benefits, 1 year position (renewable)

Location: Moka, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (Central/West Africa)

Start date: September 1, 2008

Position summary: The Moka Wildlife Center (MWC) Manager lives at and directs the newly (2006) established research and educational facility in the villages of Moka Bioko and Moka Malabo at the northern border of the Gran Caldera and Southern Highlands Scientific Reserve on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. This 2-building (residence + education/research building) university-affiliated facility serves as a base for scientists and students working in the scientific reserve as well as providing biodiversity conservation outreach to local communities and schools. It is funded by a grant from the ExxonMobil Foundation to the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, part of the academic partnership between Drexel University and the National University of Equatorial Guinea (UNGE). The MWC Manager is expected to have a strong background in research (Ph.D. preferred); a personal field research program adaptable to local conditions; and prior experience in a Spanish-speaking country. Responsibilities include coordinating the management of the MWC and the outreach program with an UNGE assigned, bilingual (Spanish/English) Assistant Manager; overseeing the design and implementation of an outreach program; and, most importantly, providing an active, ongoing biodiversity research environment as part of capacity building at UNGE.

Essential Functions: The MWC Manager is expected to:

• Establish a personal biodiversity research program that:
  • utilizes the local ecosystem
  • engages BBPP local personnel
  • reflects familiarity with US academic traditions including English language scientific writing.
• Supervise selected research and teaching activities at the National University of Equatorial Guinea (UNGE) in coordination with the BBPP Senior Conservation Biologist and BBPP On-Site Administrator.
• Supervise the UNGE-designated (Spanish-speaking) MWC Assistant Manager who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the MWC including maintenance of the facilities, local guide training, and the development and delivery of a local outreach program.
• Live at the Moka Wildlife Center and drive (1.5 hr; 50 mi) to Malabo (BBPP vehicle; current US & International Driver’s License required) for meetings approximately twice per month.

Marginal Functions:

• Plan for and supervise visiting scientists, students and interns.
• Aid in preparation of English language reports and grant proposals
• Provide back-up and assistance for other BBPP personnel.
• Travel to and from the USA as needed, preferably on a US passport which does not require a visa from either the USA or Equatorial Guinea.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The MWC Manager is expected to have:

• Research experience as demonstrated by academic credentials (Ph.D. or Masters Degree in relevant field of study) and/or by managerial experience in a remote Spanish-speaking location (for example, US Peace Corps).
• English writing ability as demonstrated by scientific publications reports and/or grant proposals.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse people, including local workers, UNGE personnel, local expat community and EG government ministries, as demonstrated by similar experiences in the past.
• Ability to thrive in a remote location with limited amenities, as demonstrated by similar experiences in the past.
• Ability to oversee the development of a Spanish-language outreach program including guide training and printed materials for visitors and school children.

Minimum Qualifications: The position requires either an advanced degree (Ph.D. or Masters) in a relevant area of study (biodiversity conservation) or extensive experience that is directly relevant to the position (for example, 2 year conservation work in the US Peace Corps at a remote, Spanish-speaking location).

Drexel University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

To apply: Apply by e-mail to Dr. Gail Hearn, including a cover letter, resume, and minimum salary requirements.

Field Assistant

Job Title: Field Assistant

Job Type: Volunteer (room, board, on-island transport and training provided)

Location: Moka Wildlife Center and adjacent protected area(Gran Caldera and Southern Highlands Scientific Reserve)

Start date: 1 September 2008 or earlier; 6 mo commitment preferred.

Position Summary:  BBPP engages field assistants for periods of 6 months, usually beginning in September or October, in advance of the Island’s November through March dry season. Field assistants are expected to devote at least 40 hrs/week to the project.  Field assistants work under the supervision of two Ph.D. scientists, the BBPP Moka Wildlife Center Manager (forest wildlife) and the BBPP Research Manager (nesting sea turtles).  They are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the field research during their stay on Bioko Island, and may explore additional opportunities to participate in educational outreach projects with local school children as well as training exercises with local wildlife patrols.  Typical activities include counting and PIT-tagging nesting leatherback and green sea turtles on the southern beaches; walking forest transects counting monkey groups and other wildlife; mist-netting birds and bats for identification; assisting with visitors and school children on outreach projects at the Moka Wildlife Center.

Qualifications:  Field assistants are expected to be at least 22 years old.  Other desirable qualifications include:

·        Spanish language ability:  Spanish is the national language of Equatorial Guinea, although many local people also speak some French, but less English.

·        Experience in remote locations in developing countries and/or experience camping and hiking in wilderness areas.

·        Physical fitness and a positive attitude towards physically exhausting work in a sometimes hot and humid climate.

·        USA passport, since all other nationalities require hard-to-acquire visas to enter Equatorial Guinea.

Responsibilities:  The BBPP will provide housing (tents), food, on-island transport and research supervision for the field assistants.  Field assistants are responsible for international transportation to and from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, medical insurance including evacuation insurance, and appropriate vaccinations and anti-malarial medications.