Job Details

Job Description

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) is a global conservation organisation conserving wildlife and ecosystems in protected areas and outstanding wild places. FZS maintains long-term programmes in Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe. The Africa Programme is active in five focal countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (www.fzs.org). FZS has been working in partnership with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) since 1986 in North Luangwa National Park, and since 2017 in Nsumbu National Park.

The Nsumbu Tanganyika Conservation Programme (NTCP) is a partnership between FZS and DNPW, dedicated to preserving the Nsumbu-Mweru Ecosystem with an initial focus on Nsumbu National Park and surrounds. The programme has matured considerably, supporting effective protected area management through natural resource protection, structured field operations, community fisheries management, ecological monitoring, and strong community engagement and outreach. Our mission in the Nsumbu-Mweru landscape is ‘ conserving landscapes, enriching lives’ .

Purpose of job

NTCP has an opportunity for four motivated Field Assistants to conduct socio-ecological surveys in the Nsumbu Mweru landscape. The data collected will help the organisation better understand the social, economic and ecological context to help track ecosystem threats, measure impact and ultimately track recovery. At the end of the 2024 dry season and start of the 2025 dry season you will deploy camera traps in strategic areas in the landscape to detect the presence or absence of wildlife. In between these surveys you will use key informant interviews, household interviews and focus groups discussions to collect relevant socioeconomic data from select community members. The duration of this opportunity is four months with the possibility of an extension.

Key Responsibilities:

• Following training on the survey methods, tools, and ethical considerations you will be responsible for full compliance.
• Set and service camera traps to monitor terrestrial wildlife diversity.
• Interview selected respondents to collect socio-economic data.
• Clean camera trap data, prepare it for upload to TrapTagger, and assist with data annotations.
• Provide summaries and backups of data collected weekly to the supervisory team.

Qualifications/Skill:

• A degree in Sociology, Rural Development, Demography, Natural Resources Management, or any similar field.
• Previous experience in social/ecological data collection is preferred but not required.
• Ability to communicate in Bemba or Tabwa.
• Ability to ride a motorbike and possession of a valid motorbike licence are an added advantage.

How to Apply

Your application should include a CV and a 1-page cover letter answering the following questions:

• What interests you most about the position?
• Your relevant social and ecological research experience.
• Two references with a short description of your working relationship, and their contact details.

Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered for the position. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please submit applications to [email protected] under the subject line “Field Assistants for Socio-ecological Surveys”. Applications close on Wednesday 14th August 2024.