Program Management Specialist in Gabon (French Fluency Required) Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Job Description: The Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability (CCES) of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) is seeking highly motivated candidates for the position of Program Management Specialist. This position will provide logistical support for research, conservation and education activities of the Gabon Biodiversity Program. The job requires working with professionals from the Smithsonian in Washington,DC and Gabon, the Government of Gabon, the program sponsor and other stakeholders to achieve the goals of the program. Successful candidates will be able to work effectively with multiple stakeholders and situations, manage multiple tasks, organize logistical aspects of field expeditions and other activities, and prepare budgets and financial reports. Background: SCBI conducts research and monitoring to study, understand, predict, and integrate biodiversity conservation needs with development priorities of mega infrastructure projects. Guided by the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity, SCBI has worked with a selected group of oil and gas companies since 1996 to develop conservation and development best practices for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services that benefit humans and wildlife. The Gabon Biodiversity Program is located in the country of Gabon, Central Africa, which strives to balance development with conservation of biodiversity. The Smithsonian has been working in Gabon since 2000 and has a permanent office and laboratories in the town of Gamba, in the southeastern part of the country. There is permanent Smithsonian staff in Gamba, with other Smithsonian professionals and national and international affiliates visiting Gamba on regular basis. The main objectives of the Smithsonian program in Gabon are to 1) increase knowledge and understanding of biodiversity in the Gamba landscape through biodiversity research and monitoring on species and habitats of conservation concern; 2) apply research, conservation, and best management practices to avoid high biodiversity valued areas and to minimize the impact of development on biodiversity; 3) increase local biodiversity conservation capacity; 4) raise the awareness of the value of Gabon’s biodiversity; and 5) foster partnerships with diverse stakeholders to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Qualifications: We are seeking a highly motivated individual who is: 1) fluent in French and English to be able to work effectively with Smithsonian offices in Gabon and Washington DC, 2) has strong organizational and management skills, 3) can manage and understand budgets and financial reports, and 4) works well with people and has excellent oral and written communication skills. The position will be based in the Smithsonian office in Gamba, Gabon, a town of 9,000 people, including national and international professionals and families. Applicants should email: 1) a letter of interest in English and French detailing qualifications for the position, 2) curriculum vitae and 3) contact information (institution, email address, phone number) for 3 professional references to Sulema Castro at [email protected]. Please include “Program Management Specialist Position” in the subject line of the email. Salary: Based on qualifications Deadline to submit applications: July 22, 2013
