Project Manager - Bwindi Gorilla Project - Uganda

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Martha Robbins

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May 16, 2022, 5:37:10 AM5/16/22

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Project Manager, Bwindi Gorilla Project, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Hiring Organization:

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Position Description:

We are seeking a project manager for the Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Project in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. The goal of this long-term project, started in 1998, is to study mountain gorillas to better understand their behavioral ecology, social behavior, and population dynamics. We routinely collect data from four groups of habituated gorillas, we have various collaborations with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and several other partners, and we run a conservation education program with four local primary schools. The project manager is responsible for ensuring the day-to-day operations (logistical and field work) of the project. Specific duties include, but are not limited to: managing the work schedules for project employees (about 10 people), overseeing data collection by staff (observations on the gorillas, phenology, etc), organizing data collection and management, organizing monthly and annual reports, ensuring equipment is functioning, liasing with national park officials on the ground and in Kampala, organizing visas and research permission for expat staff, accounting, overseeing any equipment or building repairs needed, supervising and involvement with the conservation education program, and serving as the liase between the field and scientists in Germany.

This project manager will be based in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The project operates out of the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, a research institute that is part of Mbarara University. The research institute is situated on the edge of the national park and a village is a short walk away. All staff live in cement buildings with no running water and limited solar power (there is not-bad internet and good phone network). Trips to Kampala (full day travel) are likely to be roughly once every few months. About 15 days per month are spent in the forest with the gorillas, depending on needs to manage everything else.

The candidate must be fluent in English. Two years minimum experience working in Africa are expected, preferably in a role that involved similar work. A minimum of a BSc degree and preferably an MSc degree in biology, anthropology, or related field would be optimal. The person must be good at managing people, working in a multicultural setting, organizing logistics, have knowledge of basic equipment maintenance (e.g. solar equipment, computers, GPS), have experience with data management (including handheld data collection methods), have good communication skills, and dealing with unexpected, sometimes frustrating, circumstances. The person must be willing to make a one year commitment, with an eye for two years or more in the position. Patience, flexibility, and being organized are a plus. The person should not have expectations of only spending time in the forest observing gorillas. A scientific background and interest in ensuring that data collection is running smoothly is an asset. Interest in conservation education is useful, to assist with our ongoing work with four local primary schools and local communities. Being comfortable living in a forest camp and being physically fit enough for forest work are also beneficial qualifications.

Salary/Funding:

500 euros per month. One round trip airfare to Uganda, internal travel costs, visas, and accommodation are provided. You are responsible for paying for your food. You will be required to have basic health insurance that also covers emergency repatriation and liability. You also must have vaccinations for Covid-19, measles, yellow fever, TB, hepatitis A and B, polio, and meningitis (cost of vaccinations are not paid by the project).

Term of Appointment:
1 year, starting in late August 2022.

Application Deadline:
June 15, 2022

Comments:

Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, CV, and names and email addresses of 3 references via email to robbins@ eva.mpg.de by June 15, 2022; If you do not hear from me by July 15, 2022, assume that you are not being considered for the position. Please do not send repeated letters of inquiry or telephone calls. Applications will be reviewed as they come in, so it isn’t the best idea to wait until the last minute to apply.

Contact Information:
Martha Robbins (robbins@ eva.mpg.de)
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology