PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Job Title: Principal Investigator
Reporting to: Research and Development and Operations Managers, London HQ
Responsible to: The Directors of the Society & the Research and Development and Operations Managers, London HQ
Location: Terrestrial Field Projects in Madagascar
PRIMARY FUNCTION
To co-ordinate the research programme, involving overall supervision of the biological surveys and implementation of community-based conservation projects.
GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE ROLE
- To take overall responsibility for the leadership of the project;
- Development and implementation of the research programme;
- To liaise, develop and maintain relationships with collaborators;
- Supervision and training of junior staff;
- Management, support, training and motivation of volunteers / research assistants;
- Preparation of project reports and publication of results in scientific journals;
- Preparation of project and funding proposals with the Project Coordinator or Country Coordinator and Research and Development and Operations Managers (London HQ);
- Representing the technical side of the project when liaising with relevant authorities, research institutes and international agencies;
- Assist with project logistics and administration.
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- To manage all members of the project field staff, supervise all aspects of their survey work and provide accredited and non-accredited training where necessary to achieve the project objectives;
- To develop and implement a standard work programme to cover each survey component namely socio-economic survey work and biological work including vegetation surveys; bats; reptiles; and amphibians, and selected invertebrate groups;
- To manage, support and develop volunteers / research assistants in all aspects of their participation on the project;
- To supervise the collection and processing of accurate field data and specimen collections for all survey components;
- To ensure that the specimens collected are appropriately preserved and delivered to the relevant taxonomist for identification;
- To liaise with taxonomists to ensure the timely identification of specimens and the incorporation of an accurate species list in each technical report;
- To produce technical reports, scientific papers and project planning documents to a schedule agreed with the Research and Development and Operations Managers;
- To assist the Operations and Research and Development Managers with technical information required for the production of project planning documents and specific funding proposals;
- To manage and supervise the maintenance of project resources;
- To liaise with other relevant organisations, including the project funding organisation, the local University, and individuals to develop the project and its scientific resources, particularly relevant scientific references;
FRONTIER, 50-52 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3QP. United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 207 613 2422 - F: +44 (0) 207 613 2992
- To provide the Operations and Research and Development Managers with regular progress updates;
- Assist with the logistical operations relating to the project including administration and management of finances; production of accounts and reports; allocation, use and maintenance of project resources; management of local staff; and supervision of the activities of and ensuring the health and safety of project staff, volunteers and host country participants.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Contract Duration:
12 months, possibility of extension.
Accommodation:
Basic accommodation provided at field project.
Travel:
Capped contribution to international airfare plus internal travel as necessary to the fulfilment of duties.
Insurance:
Employer’s liability insurance provided.
Subsistence:
Food provided on project site. Subsistence allowance provided off project site.
Salary:
£600- £800 (per annum) on successful completion of contract depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, & availability plus £150 end of contract bonus and £50 per peer reviewed publication at the manager’s discretion.
Training:
BTEC assessor training & pre-departure training provided.
JOB SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE Qualifications Education/Knowledge:
- Postgraduate in environmental / biological science
- First aid qualification
- Minimum PADI rescue diver or equivalent (Marine projects only)
- Knowledge of natural resource management and rural development
Experience:
- Minimum 1 year field research experience, preferably in the tropical environment
- Experience of field project management
- Experience of data analysis & report-writing
- Experience supporting / managing volunteers
- Experience of GIS applications
- Experience of budget and financial management
- Experience working with local communities
- Experience of donor liaison and writing of funding proposals Skills:
- Excellent written/oral communication and presentation skills
- Administrative and time management skills
- Ability to manage and train junior research staff
- Strong leadership skills
- Knowledge of local language
- Technically orientated
Personal Attributes:
- Demonstrable commitment to conservation
- Physical fitness
- Resilient and mature, with the ability to work as a team in basic living conditions
- Flexible approach
- High attention to detail
- Ability to motivate others
