Consultancy Opportunity
Lead National Fisheries Data Collectors
International Marine Mammal Bycatch Assessment Project
Summary
The New England Aquarium is seeking to hire three National Lead Data Collectors for a project that is assessing marine mammal bycatch in three countries: Ecuador, Chile, and Thailand. Bycatch is the principal and most immediate threat to many species and populations of marine mammals. In many parts of the world, especially in countries with large artisanal fishing sectors, the extent of this bycatch is largely undocumented. This project will take the initial step of understanding the bycatch associated with particular fisheries—industrial and small-scale—in three target countries, so that bycatch reduction programs can be directed at the fisheries where they are most needed.
In each of the three countries, the Lead Data Collector’s responsibilities will be to:
(1) Recruit and supervise four national data collectors who will administer questionnaires and conduct interviews with fishing communities
(2) Collect information on commercial and small-scale non-industrial fisheries in-country using published references, government records, and other information sources
(3) Assist the Project Social Scientist in the design of questionnaires and interview protocols for collecting information directly from fishermen
(4) Coordinate research and community surveys with the Project Social Scientist and the Project Coordinator
(5) Coordinate and participate in the administration of questionnaires and interviews within fishing communities
(6) Brief local and national leaders about the project, as needed
(7) Participate in a training workshop for data collection run by the Social Scientist
(8) Produce a final Country Report on marine mammal bycatch that incorporates information from written sources and community surveys
The total period of the consultancy is approximately 35 work days spread over a one-year period. The Lead Data Collector will be required to travel in country and attend one one national and one international planning workshop in one of the three countries (probably Ecuador). The consultancy pays a competitive fee for services.
Expertise Required
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English and in the national
language where the project is being carried out
- An advanced degree in the biological, fisheries, or social sciences
- Excellent knowledge of fisheries or fisheries bycatch
- Leadership skills for managing a national team of data collectors
- Excellent analytical skills with fisheries and social science information
- Flexibility and sensitivity when working within different cultures and societies
Expertise Preferred
- Previous work with fishing communities and marine conservation issues
- In depth knowledge of threatened species bycatch
Starting Date
February, 2014
Application
Interested applicants should indicate for which country they are applying (Chile, Ecuador or Thailand) and Email a CV and expression of interest to: bycatch@neaq.org
Project Administrator
This project is being administered by the Marine Conservation Engineering Program, based in the John H. Prescott Marine Laboratory at the New England Aquarium. For more information on this program, please visit www.bycatch.org.