We are looking for a young professional who is interested to join our team in Madagascar and support us on building up an ecotourism project. Unfortunately we are only able to pay a little stipend, but I think this position is ideal for someone freshly graduated who wants to gather first work experience or fill the gap between Masters and PhD project (or is probably even looking for a suitable PhD project in Madagascar).
Important NOTE: We need someone who can already communicate in either Malagasy or French. Post: Antsahabe Ecotourism Camp Manager Category: Volunteer with monthly indemnity Supervised by: Director of Makira Natural Park Location: Antsahabe (80%)/ Maroantsetra (20%), Madagascar Duration: 6-12 months Background: The Makira Natural Park is Madagascar’s largest terrestrial protected area and harbors 17 lemur species. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) manages Makira – an IUCN Category II protected area - on behalf of the Government of Madagascar. To achieve desired conservation outcomes, WCS works in close collaboration with a network of more than 70 community associations that manage the forests in the ‘green belt’ surrounding the Park and supports them to become active partners in the conservation of the unique species and ecosystems within the Park boundaries. As part of its delegated management role, WCS implements activities to support livelihoods o communities living in the ‘green belt’ around the Park so as to minimize the effects of the creation of the Park on the livelihoods of the 66 576people living in this zone. As part of this work, WCS is supporting the development of a community- managed ecotourism network which aims to: (i) generate direct economic incentives for local communities to engage in conservation; (ii) raise awareness within communities on the value of in-situ conservation of lemur species; and (iii) raise awareness and visibility of Makira and issues surrounding lemur conservation in a broader national and international audience thereby generating direct and indirect support for conservation activities. To date ecotourism activities have focused on the construction of a ‘base-camp’ in the Antsahabe forest in Makira. The Antsahabe site houses a simple ecolodge and allows viewing of the rare and spectacular Silky Sifaka (Propithecus candidus) and Red Ruffed (Varecia rubra) lemurs, as well as twelve (12) other lemur species and 61species of birds. The Antsahabe site is located partly in the core zone of the Park and partly in an adjoining community-managed forest that forms part of the Park’s buffer zone and is jointly managed by the local community association and WCS. The site currently consists of 2 bungalows and 2 tent shelters and associated infrastructure and local community members have participated in initial first training sessions on basic campsite management, and the hosting of visitors and guests. To date the site receives a handful of visitors each month, but has the potential to accommodate higher numbers. In the future, the Antsahabe site will also form the basecamp for the Makira Lemur Tourism Trail will eventually involve a network of multi-day treks that traverse the habitat of the Park’s different lemur species and will employ local guides, porters and cooks. WCS is now seeking to recruit a Volunteer Camp Manager for the Antsahabe site to oversee the further development and day to day management of the site and to build capacities of local communities on site management and tourist lodging and hosting. The post is a volunteer position. The successful candidate will be provided with a monthly allowance to cover living expenses and insurance which the volunteer will be provided to organize (health insurance is required, preferable with emergency medical evacuation coverage) and will be provided with an airfare to his/her place of residence at the beginning and end of the contract. WCS will cover costs associated with visas and work permits. The contract is initially for 6 months, with the possibility of renewal depending on performance. This is in ideal position for a young professional who wants to gain some additional field experience, who wants to gain work experience in conservation, and/or is possible looking for a future PhD research project in Madagascar. Responsibilities: The Camp Manager will be based on site for the majority of the time and will work in close collaboration with the Mamabay community development and community ecological monitoring teals to implement the following tasks: • In collaboration with WCS staff (Chef Secteur and animators) maintain close and open communication with the community associations involved in the management of the site and facilitate their full and active participation in site management and operation. • Oversee day-to-day management of the camp and ensure that facilities and equipment are maintained in order to receive visitors. • Develop a site improvement and maintenance plan – including a new viewing circuit – and participate in negotiations with local communities to determine their contribution to its implementation. • Contribute to fundraising activities with the WCS Mamabay team to raise additional funds. • Develop and implement simple site management tools including visitors’ register, financial management and accounting tools, guide / porter rosters, and staff schedule. Train communities in the use of these tools. • Carry out a simple analysis of existing capacity within local community associations and develop and implement a capacity building plan for groups involved in site management – i.e. guides association, porters association, Camp direction committee, women’s association. • Work with WCS financial officers to maintain accounting of site revenues and implement the agreed revenue sharing mechanism with local communities. • Participate in discussions with private sector operators who wish to bring visitors to the site and advise on logistical and transport arrangements. • Conduct periodic visitors’ satisfaction surveys. • Contribute to marketing and publicity activities for the site. • Develop an operational manual for the Antsahabe Site and contribute to the development of the Operational Manual for the Makira Lemur Tourism Trail. • Work with local community members and the WCS environmental education team to develop a simple field guide for the site. • Participate in missions with ecotourism specialists and researchers working to develop the Makira Lemur Tourism Trail and contribute to scoping of this concept. • Organize and oversee lemur habituation activities • Participate in WCS staff meetings each trimester to share the development of the ecotourism activities in Antsahabe site • Prepare regular activity reports to the supervisor • Any other relevant tasks that are agreed on with the supervisor. Qualifications: • Academic qualifications with preferably 1-2 work experience in ecotourism, biodiversity conservation, environmental management, protected area management or other relevant discipline • Demonstrated project and financial management skills • Good leadership skills and excellent problem solving skills • Experience in capacity building of local communities in developing countries • Independent, highly motivated, and responsible person with intercultural competency • Experience working and living in remote locations in developing countries and ability to deal with basic living conditions; work experience in Madagascar would be an asset • Good physical condition, resistant to stress, and willingness to work during weekends and long hours during the days and to conduct regular trips into the field • Sufficient French and English communication skills, Malagasy language skills are desirable otherwise the willingness to learn Malagasy is essential. If you are interested in the role, please submit your application in English or French to [email protected] applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.
