Location: Tshivanga, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), DR Congo

Reports to: KBNP Director

Coordinates with: Logistics, Administration and Finance

Direct & Indirect reports: All staff in Biomonitoring and Research, Program Manager

Start date: Immediate

Duration: 2 years (renewable)

Purpose:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is seeking a dynamic, hard-working, and experienced Head of Biomonitoring and Research to oversee and provide leadership of KBNP’s long-term biomonitoring and research programs, including GIS and Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART). The Head of Biomonitoring and Research Department will manage a team of biomonitoring and research staff, will report to the Park Director, provide regular updates to the Park Management Unit (PMU), and work closely with the Program Manager and relevant regional and global staff as required. The position is based full-time on-site at the KBNP headquarters in Tshivanga, South Kivu Province.

Major Responsibilities:

• Overall supervision of the Research and Biomonitoring department team
• Coordination of existing research and biomonitoring programs, including assisting with logistics for research missions
• Participate in strategic planning and reporting in accordance with the park needs
• Ensure data quality and research design
• Ensure regular and standardized data collection and reporting, including SMART
• Develop new research initiatives and partnerships which adhere to the conservation strategy and management plan of the park
• Oversee all aspects of data management, storage, back-up and analysis including GIS and SMART
• Ensure adherence to national and international biomonitoring and research protocols and standards
• Coordinate capacity building of national and international researchers
• Coordinate regular landscape-wide monitoring surveys (every 4 years, next one in 2023) and long-term ecological data collection, including but not limited to gorilla and biodiversity surveys, camera trapping surveys
• Maintain and expand collaborations with national and international research institutions and NGOs
• Ensure researchers and staff adhere to the DRC research procedures and best practice health protocols
• Assist in the overall promotion of KBNP as a research centre by promoting communications, publication, partnerships, representation at meetings and holding KBNP related scientific workshops and symposia
• Contribute to reporting obligations of the PMU for donors, national authorities as required
• Manage biodiversity related databases from other departments

Qualification Requirements

• PhD or Masters’ Degree in Biology, Ecology or similar field
• At least 5 years’ experience conducting or overseeing biomonitoring or research programs
• Ability to manage teams and work in a multicultural environment
• Experience working in the Congo basin
• Good communication skills, written and verbal
• Fluent in French and English a plus
• Experience with Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART)