AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK INTERN VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Akagera Management Company Ltd (AMC Ltd) was created from the agreement between African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board to manage Akagera National Park. AMC Ltd is seeking to recruit one (1) Research Intern to work on a variety of research projects to further the understanding of Akagera’s elephant population, including demography and ecology, and to better understand the dynamics of carnivores in the park. The candidate must be a Rwandan, technically skilled with good problem-solving ability, enthusiastic and motivated, and have research experience. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

TITLE: Research Intern

REPORTING TO: Conservation & Research Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE: Akagera National Park seeks to further multiple research projects to better understand Akagera’s elephant population and carnivore ecology in the park. The project will build on previous research and current understanding of both topics. A database of individuals for Akagera’s elephant population has been developed, and now the park wants to further understanding of the demographics of the population, social dynamics, ecology, and spatial patterns within the park. Akagera’s carnivore populations are diverse and abundant, but understanding of their interactions and ecology is limited. The research intern will learn basic methodologies of elephant research, apply them in the field to collect demographic and ecological data, and analyze and report on the data collected. The research intern will also learn how to organize and analyze camera trap data to carry-out a comprehensive study on the abundance and density of carnivores in the park, and an assessment their of space use and temporal/spatial partitioning. This role will also include participation in general conservation activities conducted by Akagera’s Conservation & Research Department, and knowledge-sharing and engagement with other members of the national park community (such as Community Freelance Guides) will be required.

The project seeks to hire one (1) enthusiastic research intern based in the Conservation & Research Department at Akagera National Park, Rwanda to support the project for a period of 3 months (approximately May – July 2024), with an option to extend to 6 months (through November 2024) upon successful, excellent completion of the initial period. Successful completion may open further opportunities for work with Akagera National Park.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties:

• Participate in any trainings needed for understanding basic elephant data collection and camera trapping in Akagera.
• Maintain and continue building Akagera’s elephant database. This includes adding to it through dedicated trips to find and photograph the elephant herds, and working through existing photos to expand the database.
• Collect additional data pertinent to furthering the park’s understanding of the ecology of elephants in Akagera, including data on social dynamics, diet, and movement.
• Contribute to the understanding of Akagera’s elephants to inform updates to the park’s elephant management plan.
• Liaise with park staff and guides (Community Freelance Guides) to encourage them to contribute elephant sightings to the dataset. This includes communicating with them, teaching them how to identify individual elephants and report sightings, and collating the data as it comes in.
• Assist with organizing and sorting camera trap photos from the park’s park-wide carnivore survey, including designing additional camera trap deployments for further data collection, as is needed.
• Learn and carry-out camera trap analysis to understand density, abundance, and space use of carnivores in Akagera.
• Assist in reporting on the camera trap study to inform management decisions.

Outputs/Benchmarks

• Contribute to and maintain a useable, comprehensive database of elephant individuals in Akagera.
• Learn methods of sexing and ageing elephants, and apply these to database maintenance, field observations, and data collection.
• Learn methods of camera trap use and analysis and apply these to the planned projects in Akagera.
• Engage with Community Freelance Guides and other park staff to enhance their contribution and participation in elephant monitoring and research in Akagera, and general understanding of current research in Akagera.
• Refine monitoring and reporting protocols for use by guides and researchers.
• Lead at least one comprehensive refresher training for all guides on elephant ID and reporting, and potentially lead one more-advanced workshop on elephant behavior and ecology.
• Complete tutorials in statistics and GIS (provided by the park) to learn about and support current analysis of park data.
• Present updates on elephant and carnivore work to park managers.
• Contribute to the updating of the park’s elephant and carnivore management plans by end of year.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Suitable candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Hold a BSc or higher in Conservation, Ecology, Natural Resource Management or other relevant fields.
2. Have field experience working on research projects, ideally in the fields of ecology, animal behavior, conservation, or similar. Must have experience with quantitative data collection, analysis, and report writing.
3. Proficient in computer packages with emphasis on Microsoft programs and basic statistical and GIS packages.
4. Have good analytical and problem-solving skills.
5. Be able to work independently, reliably, and with flexible schedules.
6. Willing to work in a rural setting, and spend nights camping in the park.
7. Strong spoken and written English and Kinyarwanda.
8. Comfortable working in proximity to wildlife and approaching elephants in a vehicle.

Additional, preferred criteria include:

1. Have their own laptop, including Microsoft office packages (word, excel, ppt).
2. Driver’s license and clean driving record.
3. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Remuneration package

1. A monthly stipend of 200,000rwf will be provided.
2. Monthly housing/accommodation stipend will be provided for living in Nyankora Village on the periphery of the park; housing inside the park at par headquarters will be provided if available.
3. Transport from the park entry gate to park headquarters each morning, and back in evenings.

NB: Applicants who do not meet the criteria will not be considered.

Please submit a cover letter highlighting how you fit the qualifications for this role, and a CV with names and contact information of at least two references. In your cover letter, please include your relevant achievements and a summary of your research experiences.

Send your application as a single PDF document, with the subject line “Elephant/Camera Trap Research Intern at Akagera” to Akagera National Park at: [email protected].

Please reach out to [email protected] should you have any questions or queries.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be sent to the email above by 1^st May 2024.

Please note that only candidates with the required qualifications and relevant experience will be shortlisted. If you do not hear from us within one week after submission deadline, please know that you have not been shortlisted.

Done in Akagera National Park on 19^th April 2024

NDAHIRIWE Ladis

Park Manager/CEO, Akagera Management Company