Field Manager

Job Title: Field Site Manager

Location: Moyen Bafing National Park, Touge Region, Guinea

Timing: As early as March 2026 for a minimum duration of 12 months (3 months probationary period + 9 months)

We are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic Site and Research Manager to oversee and implement research and conservation activities of the Moyen Bafing Chimpanzee Project (MBCP) in the Moyen Bafing National Park (PNMB) in Guinea Conakry (West Africa). This full-time role requires commitment to living and working in a challenging yet rewarding environment, where a passion for conservation and scientific research can thrive. The PNMB is located in the Fouta Djallon region of central Guinea, West Africa. The park is characterized by a variety of terrains, including river valleys, rolling hills, and forested areas, creating a diverse habitat with a tropical climate that brings wet and dry seasons. The park, established in 2021 to protect critical wildlife habitats, plays a crucial role in conservation efforts, particularly for the endangered West African chimpanzee. 

The MBCP, established in 2022, serves as a pivotal research site dedicated to understanding chimpanzee behavior and ecology, while also acting as a crucial conservation landmark within the park. Our permanent research presence is situated in a remote area, where we foster a unique environment that promotes coexistence between wildlife and local communities. Recognizing the importance of collaboration, we work closely with the surrounding villages to ensure a balanced and positive partnership. Our efforts currently involve studying over five chimpanzee groups, with daily field research teams engaged in camera trapping, habituation, and ecological monitoring activities. Additional information about the national park and wildlife can be found here, and you can keep up-to-date with news about the project on our Bluesky feed (here), or on our website (here)!

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership: Manage the conservation, operations, and administration of the Moyen Bafing Chimpanzee Project and its on-site staff and visitors.
• Stakeholder Communication: Act as the project’s primary representative with regional/local authorities and NGOs. Ensure effective communication between Park management, project directors, and coordinate visas, research permits, travel, and lodging for personnel.
• Camp and Logistics Management: Oversee daily logistical and operational tasks, including field assistant schedules, paying local workers, procuring supplies, maintaining infrastructure, and facilitating and participating in research activities. Manage logistics for communication, transportation, and equipment functionality, along with reporting and liaison duties.
• Health and Safety: Ensure adherence to hygiene, safety, and security protocols.
• Research Management: Oversee field data collection, quality control, data management, and training for research staff. Provide training and capacity-building support, implementing reliability tests for standard data collection.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, anthropology, or a related field.
• Conversational competency in both English and French
• Right to work in the EU
• Previous experience living and working in the tropics (preferably in Africa) and managing intercultural teams.
• Ability to thrive in remote areas and adapt to changing conditions, maintaining physical and mental stamina under challenging environments. Must be physically fit, mentally resilient, self-motivated, able to work autonomously, and tolerant of diverse social customs.
• Strong problem-solving, independent action, patience, flexibility, effective communication, and organizational skills. Experience managing large teams and demonstrating strong cultural sensitivity and team-building capabilities.
• Good organizational skills and ability to document procedures, ensure data accuracy, and communicate effectively with researchers and stakeholders. Capable of managing logistics and dealing with unexpected challenges.
• Strong communication and leadership skills required. The candidate must be skilled in team management, working in a multicultural setting, organizing logistics, have experience with data management (including handheld data collection methods), good communication skills, and dealing with unexpected, sometimes frustrating, circumstances.
• Good technical proficiency, including in MS Office and field tracking and navigation using GPS and compass.
• Must have basic health insurance that covers emergency repatriation and liability, as well be vaccinated for measles, yellow fever, TB, hepatitis A and B, polio, and meningitis (cost of vaccinations are not paid by the project).
• Minimum of a 1-year commitment, ideally extending to 2 years.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Construction and Infrastructure Skills: Practical expertise in construction, particularly in solar power systems, and experience in developing and monitoring infrastructure.
• Data Management Proficiency: Familiarity with various data management software tools, including Cybertracker and Garmin Basecamp.
• Conservation and Research Experience: Prior involvement in African conservation projects or possessing a strong scientific background is preferred.
• Research and Observation Skills: Previous experience with camera traps, animal behavior observation, primate habituation, botanical or ecological surveying, or drone surveying is advantageous.
• Medical and Safety Training: Candidates with certifications in health and safety, CPR, or first aid are preferred.
• Data Protocol Development: Experience in creating data management protocols and implementing best practices is beneficial.
• Advanced Analytical Skills: Experience in applying machine learning techniques to identify species or behaviors from video data is a plus.

Benefits:

• Collaborate with leading professionals in primate behavioral ecology and contribute to meaningful scientific research and conservation outcomes.
• Compensation of $1,000 per month, effective after the successful completion of a 3-month probationary period, during which the candidate will be compensated as  Research Assistant (with stipend).

Support provided:

• Basic on-site housing, amenities (e.g., solar power, limited internet), and basic food for all daily meals (mainly local food and some western food items).
• Reimbursement of least expensive round-trip airfare from point of origin upon completion of contract.
• Six to eight weeks paid leave upon renewal of a second term of at least 12 months.
• Reimbursement of up to $1100 USD towards an international round trip flight after completion of the first 12-month term of appointment
• Expenses for Visa (if needed)
• All transportation and housing within Guinea (to and from the field site)