Conservation Research Coordinator

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and skilled Conservation Research Coordinator to lead a team of national and international staff and volunteers in conducting vital research on endemic and endangered species within the coastal littoral forest fragments of southeast Madagascar. The coordinator will oversee all aspects of the research programme, ensuring the effective implementation and expansion of current field projects focused on the conservation of local flora and fauna.

Key responsibilities will include supervising field research, maintaining high standards of data collection and analysis, and contributing to the publication of research findings. The coordinator will also play a key role in building the capacity of the research team, providing mentorship and support in scientific techniques and data interpretation.

Additionally, the Coordinator will work closely with the Project Development team to provide essential research insights, helping to shape future funding proposals and conservation strategies.

This position involves a balanced split between fieldwork and office-based tasks, with flexibility based on project needs and priorities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in conservation research, excellent leadership skills and experience in data analysis and writing scientific papers.

Title: Conservation Research Coordinator

Location: Fort Dauphin, Anosy Region, Madagascar

Contract Type: 2 years, potential to extend; basic local stipend of 2,500,000Ar a month (food and

transport paid in the field), contribution to return flight and insurance

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Maintain on-going research, ensuring that this follows protocols and is of international standard
2. Design novel environmental research projects that are specific and applicable to the area and provide protocols and training on methodology
3. Provide guidance for Research and Senior Research Assistants in organising the research schedule to ensure all data is collected consistent with research protocols and timeframes
4. Manage, supervise and appraise the team of senior research assistants
5. Ensure support and care is provided to maintain the physical and mental welfare of the research team, including short term volunteers
6. Provide management oversight, advice and intervention when required to ensure the research camp is effective
7. Ensure risk assessments are in place for research activities and the research camp and that these are communicated with the team
8. Interact with stakeholders, other researchers and volunteers in a professional and friendly manner, problem solving where necessary
9. Work closely with the Executive Conservation Coordinator in developing a holistic research programme in line with SEED’s Conservation Research Strategy
10. Lead on establishing and monitoring research standards, ensuring high quality data sets
11. Lead on the analysis of data, feeding back to both internal and external stakeholders to aid learning and add to international knowledge
12. Facilitate, write and secure publication in a range of peer reviewed journals of research
13. Work alongside the Project Development Department to secure funding for current and future research projects
14. Provide internal and external reports for SEED and any collaborating partners
15. Work alongside others in the team in understanding, preparing for and mitigating the effects of mining in the area
16. Work alongside the Communications and Media team in ensuring information for the website and social media
17. Maintain and develop respectful relationships in the community, ensuring that all staff and volunteers respect the customs and taboos of the area
18. Ensure compliance with SEED’s policies, including safeguarding, anti-corruption, and whistleblowing procedures.
19. Participate in ongoing training to promote adherence to SEED’s health, safety, and ethical standards.
20. Any other tasks that the Director of Programmes and Operations sees fit within the broad scope of this job description.

Personal specification:

• Have a Masters in a conservation related field, or a first degree three years practical experience in field-based research
• Previous experience with data handling, cleaning and statistical analysis using programming software
• Previous experience of scientific writing is required, and publication experience is desirable
• Specialist knowledge of either primatology, herpetology, botany or environmental education is desirable
• Hold a current First Aid certificate
• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to SEED Madagascar’s ethos and approach and be a good ambassador for SEED Madagascar at all times
• Have passion, curiosity and motivation for the job and the ability to enthuse others
• Have the ability and desire to lead teams of people from different economic and cultural backgrounds and across multiple language barriers
• Have the ability and desire to build capacity and share skills across cultures
• Demonstrate proven ability to recognise and appropriately deal with challenging situations
• Demonstrate an awareness of and comfort with increased social and professional responsibility, working at all times with cultural sensitivity and respect
• Demonstrate the ability, social skills and confidence to give clear guidance and support to other members of the team in respect of the philosophy and procedures of SEED Madagascar in order to protect both their safety and the reputation of the NGO
• Be punctual and be able to work to tight deadlines in an organised manner and to a high standard
• Have a flexible and patient attitude
• Have excellent problem-solving skills
• Be able to work both independently and as part of a team, with strong leadership experience.

About the organisation:

SEED Madagascar is a British Charity working in partnership with communities in the southeast of Madagascar. We integrate high-quality community health, sustainable livelihoods, education infrastructure and conservation programmes to support long term, sustainable change while adding to International best practice through research and publication.

More information on the work of SEED can be found at www.madagascar.co.uk

Application procedure:

Interested applicants should send a CV and covering letter in English outlining why they wish to take up this position and how their skills and experience match the requirements in the job description criteria to SEED Madagascar Director of Programmes and Operations, Lisa Bass by email on lisa@seedmadagascar.org.

Please note: AI generated cover letters and recruitment exercises will not be processed.

Application Deadline: Monday 6th January 2025 at 23:59 GMT. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis throughout this period.

Candidates will complete an exercise, long-listed applicants will have an initial informal interview with Madagascar based staff and short-listed applicants will then be offered an interview with the London team.

Please note that the expected in-country start date for this position will be the start of May 2025.