Field Director, Pantanal Conservation Research Initiative

Reports to: Director of Conservation, Earthwatch Institute
Start date: August 1, 2005
Terms: Full time, 12 month contract

Earthwatch Institute is an international, non-profit organization which engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. The Pantanal is a vast wetland area in Brazil. 

The Pantanal Conservation Research Initiative (CRI) field director will oversee the development and implementation of the Earthwatch research and conservation program for the Pantanal CRI. The field director will also develop partnerships and community activities, and support our educational programs. The CRI field director will work closely with the Pantanal CRI field coordinator who will oversee the implementation and logistics of field projects and activities, as well as work closely with the Maynard office staff. 

The Pantanal CRI Field Director will be located in or near the Pantanal, and likely in Campo Grande. The appointment will initially be for one-year contract, with renewal pending a mutually satisfactory review of progress. The Conservation Field Director is a principal liaison between Earthwatch offices, both in USA and our international offices, the CRI partners, and among Earthwatch Principal Investigators running projects at the site. 

Frequent communication with the US and other Earthwatch offices will be essential to update staff on field conditions, progress of the research and monitoring activities and to provide feedback on, and to, volunteers and other Principal Investigators. The Field Director will also be required to attend selected conferences and/or meetings, go on specific site-visits and facilitate new project development, as well as help identify with Earthwatch offices potential local and national partner organizations in support of CRI fellowships programs. The Conservation Director will work out of office mutually agreed upon by the field director, Earthwatch, and our partner organizations. The Pantanal CRI field coordinator will report to the CRI field director. 

Principal responsibilities include: 

* liaise with partners
* develop and maintain community-based activities 
* help develop, implement and evaluate CRI research and conservation plan
* help develop the CRI research projects
* help implement CRI fellows program 
* fiscal and administrative and programmatic reporting
* represent Earthwatch at the CRI location 

Qualifications: 

* Ph.D. or Masters plus equivalent experience in the biological sciences
* Strong familiarity with the region and local conservation issues
* Significant experience developing and managing research, conservation or development programs
* Experience in community outreach and/or consensus-building
* Significant management experience with budgets, teams of people, major projects and staff 
* Demonstrated leadership skills
* Ability to work independently 
* Proficiency in written and spoken Portuguese and English 

Specific responsibilities to include: 

1. Liaise with local partners, stakeholders and other scientists, as required. 

* The Conservation Field Director is an ambassador for Earthwatch and is required to help facilitate and enhance the relationship between Earthwatch and partner organizations, stakeholders and other scientists working at the Research Initiative or interested in becoming Earthwatch Principal Investigators or partners in the Professional Development Program.
* Develop and maintain MOUs with partners
* Develop and implement a reporting program with partner organizations to effect a timely sharing of research results and project evaluation
* Develop and Manage a local CRI advisory group 
* Initiate the development of new "fundable" initiatives with partners as necessary 

2. Work with participating partners and scientists to develop and implement a CRI research and conservation (R&C) plan.

* Determine best use of volunteers to meet conservation priorities of the CRI partnership 
* Identify and recruit scientists to run projects in support of the R&C plan
* Manage the project review process
* Negotiate project budgets with scientists, help identify co-funding sources if necessary
* Periodically review, modify and report on R&C plan based on feedback from partners
* Develop and implement baseline monitoring program based on R&C plan 

3. Help manage CRI research and monitoring projects 

* Support the Maynard-based Field Management team in the development and renewal of research projects, including team logistics, schedules, and safety issues.
* Help with review proposals for scientific merit, project feasibility, and volunteer assignments as necessary
* Support as necessary the preparation of volunteer orientation materials.
* Work with Marketing and Communications for promotion and implementation of Initiative needs 

4. Support the fellows program at CRI

* Work with Earthwatch staff at all offices to recruit fellows to include educators, conservation professionals, corporate fellows, and community members, among others.
* Support the reporting on outcomes from local fellows, including organizing of workshops, etc.
* Participate as a facilitator on fellowship teams, as necessary 

5. Represent Earthwatch at the CRI location

* Work with PIs and Maynard office to arrange public speaking and other outreach activities.
* Work with Conservation Director and Earthwatch on a variety of outreach, site-visits, and project or program development tasks, as appropriate. 
* Visit local communities, institutions and attend conferences where new PIs may be recruited to lead Earthwatch projects and to highlight Earthwatch efforts at the CRI
* Participate on Earthwatch project site-visits as needed, either for education purposes or because of a particular issue that needs to be addressed

6. Oversee and provide support on financial and technical aspects of expeditions.

* Prepare a written summary of progress and activities monthly for distribution to Earthwatch
* Prepare quarterly progress reports for partner organizations
* Prepare annual report summarizing research activities and progress at CRI. This report will include summaries of research projects and project evaluation 

7. Dissemination of results to communities, partners and stakeholders. 

* Develop and implement a strategy for distributing information from the field and from Earthwatch activities back to local and regional partners and communities. 

8. Community-based activities that address identified scientific and sustainability needs 

* Help develop a community-activities program that supports local needs concerning environmental sustainability 

9. Support the fundraising efforts as necessary for specific CRI needs and sustainability of CRI 

10. Report and evaluate on CRI goals and objectives 

Salary range: Commensurate with experience. Please submit salary requirements in your cover letter. 

Brazilian citizens are encouraged to apply. 

Please indicate job title in subject line of email. Email, fax or mail cover letter and resume:

HR Earthwatch Institute,
P.O. Box 75,
Maynard, MA 01754-0075.

No phone calls please.