Technical Advisor Research and Monitoring – Sierra Leone

The Greater Gola Landscape, covering 350,000 ha and straddling the Sierra Leone/ Liberia border, is the largest remaining block of Upper Guinea Forest. In Sierra Leone.The Gola Programme is implemented as a partnership between the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL), the Gola Rainforest Conservation Leadership Group, the Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL), the governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia, local communities and the RSPB. In the long term, the programme aims to conserve the forest ecosystems of the globally important forest landscape, contributing to biodiversity conservation, climate change resilience, water conservation and food security.

What’s the role about? 

This is an exciting full-time position intended to start at the earliest opportunity. A job share arrangement is encouraged for this position and the new Technical Advisor Social Scientist and Monitoring. This position is a 2-year contract and will be based at the Gola Rainforest Conservation (GRC) office in Kenema, Sierra Leone with close connection to the RSPB Greater Gola Landscape Team and Conservation, with regular travel to the field (Gola Rainforest National Park)

Overall purpose:

• To co-ordinate and support the effective and efficient implementation of technical components of biodiversity-related projects undertaken in the Greater Gola Landscape in collaboration with RSPB colleagues and partners
• To provide technical support and advice across all biodiversity-related projects involving GRC-LG and with all collaborators with GRC-LG
• To build the capacity of the GRC-LG Research and Monitoring Department through organizational development and technical understanding, learning and application
• To verify and assess the accuracy, consistency and credibility of field data collected for REDD+ analysis and reporting

Essentials:

• Ph.D. or MSc in ecology or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Experience working in Africa or the wider tropical regions, in South America and Asia.
• Accomplished spoken and written communication skills in English to enable stakeholders’ clear understanding of project objectives, activities and outcomes, with experience working with people with varying levels of education and for whom English is not a first working language

Desirables:

• Proven ability to enable or deliver measurable biodiversity conservation impacts through Civil Society Organisation’s ranging from species to site conservation.
• Direct work experience in remote rural community engagement.
• A flexible creative approach, with the ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.

This is a 2 year Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on/around the 1st of April 2025. For further information please contact: [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.