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USFWS Wildlife Without Borders-Africa 2015-2016 MENTOR-POP (Progress on Pangolins) Fellowship Programme The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in cooperation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Wildlife Without Borders-Africa Program is pleased to announce the 2015-2016 MENTOR-POP (Progress on Pangolins) Fellowship Programme. The MENTOR-POP Fellowship programme aims to build capacity for conserving pangolins, the most trafficked wild mammals in the world. More than one million pangolins are estimated to have been poached from the wild over the past decade and all eight species are now threatened with extinction. Populations of Asian pangolin species are declining due to unsustainable harvesting to satisfy the demand for their meat, and scales, which are used in traditional medicinal in Asia. Traffickers are increasingly turning to Africa to source pangolins to meet the demand. Meanwhile, African species are under additional pressure from local and regional demand for bushmeat. Little is known about the impacts of these threats on the three species found in Central Africa; the white-bellied tree pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), blackbellied tree pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) and the giant ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea); and they have received little research or conservation attention to date. Based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the 15 month MENTOR Progress on Pangolins (POP) Fellowship Programme will develop a trans-disciplinary team of early-career Central African and Asian conservation practitioners to champion the conservation of pangolins in Central Africa. A team of nine MENTOR POP Fellows will be provided with academic and field-based training and internships, mentoring from experienced conservation professionals, and experiential learning in best conservation practices. As part of the programme, the Fellows will work with experts to develop and implement team projects to address the gaps in knowledge about pangolins in Central Africa and the threats to their survival. On successful completion of the Fellowship programme, Fellows will be equipped with the skills, knowledge and networks essential for becoming a future conservation leader. The USFWS MENTOR Signature Initiative (Mentoring for ENvironmental Training in Outreach and Resource Conservation) was established in 2008 and since then has been building the capacity of emerging African conservationists. Following on from the MENTOR-BEAN, MENTOR-FOREST, MENTOR-PACE, and MENTOR-Manatee programmes, the MENTORPOP Programme is a partnership between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Zoological Society of London who are both committed to investing in the capacity building, training, and career development of emerging conservation leaders.
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Fellowship Programme Outline The MENTOR POP Fellowships will commence in October 2015 and comprise 4 primary components: Academic and field based training (3 months) All Fellows will receive training in project planning and management, monitoring and evaluation, communication and fundraising, as well as problem solving, conflict management, team building and networking. Fellows will also receive training in topics relevant to their projects, including ecological monitoring, social science, statistics and law enforcement. Training will be delivered by experts from USFWS, ZSL and other NGOs and academic institutions. Mentoring (ongoing) Fellows will be allocated mentors who will provide advice and guidance throughout the duration of the Fellowship. Mentors will be technical experts in relevant fields and may be based in Cameroon or overseas. Internships (1 month) Each Fellow will undertake a one month internship based at a partner institution shadowing professionals working on their areas of interest. Fellows will gain firsthand experience of working within a conservation organization and receive personal advice and guidance for their career development. Action Group Projects (9 months) Fellows will be split into three Action Groups, based on their experience and interests. Each Action Group will develop and implement a 9 month long project. The three Action Groups will be: 1) Field assessments This group will focus on filling research gaps by, for example, conducting field surveys to determine the distribution and relative abundance of pangolins in key sites and carrying out market and community surveys to investigate hunting pressure and offtakes. 2) Legal systems This group will investigate the legal context and application of legislation relevant to pangolin protection and conservation with a view to piloting activities to reinforce the application and enforcement of relevant laws. 3) Demand Reduction The demand reduction action group will be tasked with characterizing the nature of the demand for pangolin projects and developing and piloting interventions to reduce this demand.
Eligibility
Due to funder stipulations, applicants must be nationals, citizens or permanent residents of a COMIFAC country (Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Sao Tomé and Principe) or one of the following Asian countries: China, Laos or Vietnam. Applicants must be willing to relocate to Yaoundé, Cameroon, for the duration of the Fellowship and commit to the programme for the full 15 months. Successful applicants must be able to commence the Fellowship in October 2015.
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Applicants must be able to speak and write fluently in English and/or French but must be able to communicate effectively in English. Candidates must be willing to spend time in remote field conditions. Individuals should be computer literate and able to use basic Microsoft packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). Applicants must have good communication skills and be comfortable speaking to groups, in public and to different audiences. Applicants must be able to work effectively both as part of a team and independently. Individuals must be dedicated to pursuing a career in conservation research and/or management. Candidates must have some knowledge and understanding of Central African conservation issues. Candidates working for NGOs, community based organizations, government authorities, or research institutions and who could be seconded by their organizations are encouraged to apply. Fellowships are aimed at early-career professionals. No formal qualifications are required but preference will be given to candidates with at least an undergraduate degree in a subject relevant to one of the Action Groups, or equivalent experience*.
*Relevant experience includes: Field Assessment Action Group Carrying out biological and/or social surveys in forest/village conditions, including survey design, data collection and quantitative and qualitative analysis; population modelling. Relevant professions include: wildlife biologists; population ecologists; national park staff; statisticians; anthropologists; sociologists. Legal Systems Action Group Legal training; law enforcement, especially in the context of wildlife crime; information gathering; site based protection. Relevant professions include: lawyers; law enforcement officials; criminologists; security experts; military officers; policemen; customs officers; national park staff. Demand Reduction Action Group Social science; communications; social marketing; media; teaching; environmental education; international trade; anthropology; sociology; community development.
Fellowship Award and Benefits Information Fellows will receive a monthly stipend, support for housing, medical insurance and a laptop computer. Specifically, as part of their awards, MENTOR-POP Fellows will receive:
Stipend of $470 US per month. DSA of $100 US per month. A housing allowance of $100 US per month and accommodation at or close to Le Centre Régional d'Enseignement Spécialisé en Agriculture Forêt-Bois (CRESA) in Yaoundé. A return flight from country of residence for Fellows not resident in Cameroon. Visa, if required. Medical insurance as part of ZSL’s medical insurance policy. Materials and equipment for projects. Networking opportunities to meet with key international and African and Asian conservationists, legal experts, communication and demand reduction specialists;
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Networking opportunities with other African and Asian pangolin researchers and conservationists; Long-term professional development guidance for research and conservation pursuits through internships.
Fellows will also receive support to attend an African Pangolin Working Group meeting in South Africa in October 2015, if able to commence the Fellowship in time.
Application Process Applicants should send their completed application form and CV (max 2 pages) by email to
[email protected]. Please include ‘MENTOR POP FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION’ in the subject header of your email. Completed Reference Forms should also be sent by your two referees directly by email to
[email protected] with your name and ‘MENTOR POP FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION’ in the subject header. Only references submitted directly by the referee will be accepted and only candidates that submit fully completed applications including all supporting documentation will be considered. The MENTOR-POP Program reserves the right to verify the facts provided in each application. We regret that we will only be able to contact applicants who have been selected for interview. For any enquiries please contact
[email protected]. Closing Date: Midnight Friday 4th September 2015. Anticipated Interview Date: W/c – 14th September.
Selection Process Nine MENTOR Fellows will be selected through a competitive merit-based process. ZSL and the US Fish and Wildlife Service will review applications and shortlist Fellows for interview. Interviews will be carried out via video skype.
