[Coral-List] Volunteer research assistants required for two positions on Aldabra Atoll Marine World Heritage Site

[April Jaz]

Dear all,


The Seychelles Islands Foundation manages and protects the two Seychelles’ UNESCO World Heritage sites, Aldabra Atoll and the Vallée de Mai.


We are currently recruiting the following positions:


1. Marine Monitoring Research Assistant

We are seeking a volunteer to join our team on Aldabra for 5–6 months. Working under the Aldabra Scientific Coordinator (ASC) you will work as part of the Aldabra research team, conducting routine monitoring on turtles, giant tortoises, birds, and plants. You will also be set specific tasks assisting with and organising the marine monitoring programme. Tasks will include underwater surveys, data entry and management, report writing and maintaining marine equipment.  Fieldwork will include spending time at field camps in basic conditions, boat work, walking in difficult terrain and high temperatures. This role offers a unique opportunity to experience and contribute to the conservation and monitoring of one of the planet’s most pristine ecosystems.
Criteria and specific skill set
·       A degree in environmental/conservation science (Essential), and post-graduate degree (Desirable)
·       Experience with marine fieldwork and data collection (Essential), preferably on islands and in the Indian Ocean region.
·       Previous experience in dealing with large long-term datasets (Essential)
·       Report-writing experience (Essential)
·       Experience working with Microsoft Access and Excel (Essential)
·       Experience in basic data analysis and marine benthic photo analysis (Essential)
·       Experience in underwater visual census of fish and corals (Essential)
·       Diving qualification (Rescue Diver minimum & 100+ dives) (Essential)
·       Strong organisational skills (Essential)
·       Terrestrial field work experience (Desirable)
·       Strong communication/team skills, ability to get on well with people from different cultures (Essential)
·       Excellent physical fitness, able to tolerate tropical heat & long hours in difficult terrain (Essential)
·       Good work ethic - reliable, committed, highly motivated, professional, and positive attitude
·       Independent and able to take initiative without close supervision, and co-exist in a tiny community with restricted facilities.
·       Medically fit – ESSENTIAL - It is not advisable, and potentially very dangerous, for anyone with a history of medical problems to apply as the nearest hospital is hours (or days) away by boat and plane.

AND

2. Volunteer research assistant for data analysis and database work

We are seeking a volunteer with excellent experience in the use and development of Access databases to join our team for 6 months. Working under the Aldabra Scientific Coordinator (ASC) you will be set specific tasks relating to Aldabra data management. You will design, develop and implement new databases, and improve and amend others. With direction and training from the ASC you will have the opportunity to develop Cybertracker applications for improved data collection. There will be opportunities to analyse existing data and contribute to or lead report writing. The role will also involve general field work (terrestrial and marine)  and data entry. Field work will include time at field camps in very basic conditions and walking in difficult terrain and high temperatures. This role offers a unique opportunity to experience and contribute to the conservation and monitoring of one of the planet’s most pristine ecosystems and apply your skills to streamline and improve a long-term monitoring programme.
Criteria and specific skill set
·       Advanced knowledge and experience of  Microsoft Access (Essential)
·       Experience in setting up new databases and data analysis queries in Access (Essential)
·       Advanced knowledge and experience of Microsoft Excel (Essential)
·       Previous experience in dealing with large long-term datasets (Essential)
·       Good general IT skills and understanding (Essential)
·       Previous experience of field work and data collection (Essential)
·       Data analysis and experience working with statistical programmes including R (Essential)
·       Report-writing experience (Essential)
·       Experience in Cybertracker application design (Desirable)
·       Experience on islands/remote areas, preferably in Seychelles (Desirable)
·       Ability to use GPS and GIS software (Desirable)
·       Strong communication/team skills, ability to get on well with people from different cultures (Essential)
·       Excellent physical fitness, able to tolerate tropical heat & long hours in difficult terrain (Essential)
·       Good work ethic - reliable, committed, highly motivated, professional, and positive attitude (essential)
·       Independent, able to take initiative and co-exist in a tiny community with restricted facilities.
·       Confidence in the water – ability to swim is essential.
·       Medically fit – ESSENTIAL - It is not advisable, and potentially very dangerous, for anyone with a history of medical problems to apply as the nearest hospital is hours (or days) away by boat and plane.

The successful candidates should be available from early November 2016 and will likely return by April 2017 (dates to be confirmed). Due to Aldabra's extreme remoteness and unpredictable weather conditions transport is infrequent applicants should be aware that once on the atoll, departure before April is unlikely to be possible. Please send applications (CV & cover letter) and queries to Dr Nancy Bunbury, nancy at sif.sc by Friday 16th September 2016.


Many thanks,
April J Burt
Aldabra Scientific Coordinator