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
Volunteer Field Assistant
Job Title: Field Assistant
Job Type: Volunteer (room, board, on-island transport and training provided)
Location: Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (Central/West Africa)
Start Date: October 2010; 5 month commitment preferred
Final Day to Apply: August 10, 2010
Position summary:
I am seeking 6 volunteers to assist with data collection on the nesting ecology of sea turtles on Bioko Island's southern beaches. Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program (BBPP) engages field assistants for periods of 5 months during the dry season, usually beginning in October and lasting through March. Field assistants are expected to devote at least 40 hrs/week to the project, but due to the nature of the project and living conditions, hours will likely be considerably more.
Field assistants work under the supervision of Dr. Honarvar (BBPP Research Coordinator). They are encouraged to participate in all aspects of 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 PIT-tagging nesting sea turtles and gathering reproductive output data on leatherbacks. Research is conducted every night until 5 am. Assistants will walk an average of 10 km/night while patrolling the beaches. Additional research, such as monitoring of nest temperatures and gas levels, as well as data entry is conducted during the day. Assistants are also required to participate in daily upkeep and maintenance of the camp, including preparation of meals.
Our field site is in a remote area with no road access. Researches and field assistants must hike in and out of the field site when necessary along 17km of extremely rough terrain. We will be living in tents, cooking over fire, and using water from a nearby stream. We do not have a variety of different foods due to lack of electricity/refrigerators. There is no internet connection or phone line. A Satellite phone will be available in case of an emergency. The camp does have generators to charge research equipment, which may be used for occasional personal items.
This is an unpaid (volunteer) position. However, BBPP will provide housing (tents), food and local transportation. You are expected to provide international transportation to and from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (± $1700 for a round trip flight from US), medical and evacuation insurance, appropriate immunizations (yellow fever) and medications (anti-malarial medications). Non-US citizens will need to apply for a visa to enter Equatorial Guinea. We will try to obtain a letter of invitation through the local university in Malabo but cannot guarantee a visa.
Qualifications:
- Field assistants are expected to be at least 21 years old.
- Prior field experience in biology, ecology or related disciplines.
- A desire to pursue a career in conservation biology/ecology is preferred.
- Spanish language ability: Spanish is the national language of Equatorial Guinea, although many local people also speak some French.
- Experience in remote locations in developing countries and experience camping and hiking in wilderness areas.
- Physical fitness and a positive attitude towards physically exhausting work in a hot and humid climate. All assistants should be prepared for very demanding and time consuming work.
To apply: Please send a cover letter, CV and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Honarvar at sh333@drexel.edu.
