Job description
The SFS program on Wildlife Management Studies (CWMS) located in Tanzania seeks an enthusiastic, team-oriented individual to serve as part of a residential team of faculty and staff that delivers an interdisciplinary, hands-on learning experience to students spending a semester or summer abroad. We are especially interested in candidates with experience teaching to a diverse student body, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural competence in a learning environment. SFS Tanzania has a thematic focus on wildlife and natural resource management and on community livelihoods and socio-economic development in northern Tanzania.
The position will deliver the Wildlife Ecology course during semesters, and teach one-third of the Directed Research course each semester. Co-teach two summer sessions on topics related to Wildlife Management and Conservation, and Techniques for Wildlife Field Research – course topics / description may vary from year to year. Contribute to student learning in the areas that complement the Wildlife Ecology, Management, and Environmental Policy and Socio-economic Values. Lead designated components of the strategic research plan and oversee, mentor, and grade the student directed research projects.
Institutional Mission:
SFS creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work. The SFS community is part of a growing network of individuals and institutions committed to environmental stewardship.
Institutional Position on Diversity and Inclusion:
SFS was founded with the belief that stewardship of our planet is the responsibility of people all around the world. Addressing complex global issues requires the active inclusion of stakeholders with varying perspectives and identities. We recognize that to successfully address threats to our natural world, we must look beyond social constructs designed to divide us. Just as we value biodiversity in all of its forms, we value and engage with a multitude of diverse perspectives and people in the countries where we work and the students and staff we serve.
Program Focus:
Few places in the world are more iconic than the plains of Africa. In Tanzania, baobabs and acacia trees dot the horizon, while wildebeests stampede through the Serengeti on their Great Migration. The Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos – are all found here. Tanzania is also home to the Maasai, hadzabe and Iraqw tribes, some of the few remaining tribes practicing traditional lifestyle in East Africa.
This rich landscape faces many challenges, including habitat fragmentation and destruction, poaching threats, climate change impacts, and ever-increasing competition for limited natural resources. Our research focuses on understanding these impacts in order to develop sustainable solutions for conservation of natural resource and reduce conflict between humans and wildlife.
Course Description: Wildlife Ecology
This course presents students with the information and conceptual background necessary to understand the underlying ecological principles of Tanzania’s savanna ecosystem. We focus on the fundamental processes and interrelationships between the biotic and abiotic environment. We begin with basic ecological principles, setting them against the background of Tanzania. Students examine the factors underlying distributions, population biology, and behavioral ecology, along with competition and predation, using African examples. Students discuss theoretical models of different basic ecological principles and then debate their applicability or constraints based on observations made in the field.
Course Description: Directed Research
The aim of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to apply ecological, biological, and/or social-scientific methods to a field research project that addresses a local issue related to the environment. It focuses in investigating the ways that various methods and theories distinguish fact from interpretation, cause from correlation, and advocacy from objectivity. The directed research topics are derived from Center’s Research Plan as defined by the Center staff and local stakeholders. Through the Directed Research projects, students contribute to a growing body of scientific research that informs local conservation and resource management decisions. SFS program researchers lead a small group of students in this research component of the program.
Duties and Responsibilities
Providehigh quality, modern and experiential teaching in critical environmental issues in an interdisciplinary curriculum, and participate fully in the implementation of the program’s research plan that addresses these issues. The publication of research results is critical. Work closely with the other program staff to deliver an interdisciplinary program through education and research in a field setting. Each lecturer is expected to provide high quality, inquiry-based teaching and lead students in Directed Research projects defined in the program’s research plan.
Teaching
- As part of an interdisciplinary teaching team, teach a significant portion of the academic program (minimum 55-60 lecture hours)
- Plan, revise, and effectively deliver a challenging, problem-based interdisciplinary curriculum to learners from diverse disciplinary and cultural backgrounds.
- Organize lectures and prepare course materials in a timely and professional manner
- Adhere to the daily academic schedule
- Prepare, administer, and grade assignments, quizzes, mid-term and final examinations
- Supervise and mentor a student research group in Directed Research projects
- Actively support and counsel students on academic issues
- Maintain an organized course portfolio
Research
- Help implement the program’s research plan and conduct designated research according to it
- Identify appropriate components of the program’s research plan suitable for student Directed Research projects that prioritize community needs and build on local knowledge networks
- Prepare research results for community stakeholders and broader scientific and non-scientific audiences using accessible communication methods
- Assist in the creation and implementation of program research policies, priorities, budgets as required
- Follow data management, record keeping, and reporting systems
- Present research findings at local and international conferences (budget dependent)
- Actively seek collaborative research opportunities that leverage skillsets and resources across local partner organizations
Administration
- Participate in planning activities prior to the program start in processing the necessary permits and consultations with local authority/communities where field activities take place
- Participate in review/analysis of the program delivery following students’ departure
- Participate in training activities for new program staff prior to and during the program, particularly interns, program assistants
- Participate in and lead parts of the orientation and re-entry components of the program presented to students at the beginning and end of each program period
- In cooperation with other program staff, provide day-to-day coordination of program activities as delegated by the Centre director
- Participate in resolving group management issues and student disciplinary problems
- Participate in preparation of the final reports, academic handbook revisions and other required reports
- As requested by the Centre director, assist with other logistical, group management, and administrative tasks
Health and Wellbeing Management
- Take responsibility, as an individual and as a member of the program faculty/staff team, for the safety of all program participants
- Comply with, actively model, and enforce all SFS and program policies and procedures including the creation of an inclusive living-learning environment for all Center community members
- Participate in the review and revision of program risk assessment and management plans
- Know the emergency procedures plan for the field station, including evacuation plan
- Participate in the safety portions of the on-site orientation and conduct safety briefings for students and/or staff
- Complete incident reports when appropriate and contribute to safety audits
- Ensure that first-aid certifications are kept up to date
- Participate in first AID training and certification to acquire skills for providing emergency first AID and ensure to have valid first AID certificate at the time
Daily Center Life
- Live on-site for the duration of each program period and take most meals with the students
- Actively model skills in competence, awareness, and knowledge necessary for meaningfully working with, living with and learning from others who may differ from oneself in identity and/or lived experience
- Contribute to the creation of a living-learning community that is inclusive of diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds, in which all learners have the opportunity to thrive
- On a rotating basis, take responsibility for “staff of the day” duties
- Take part in, and occasionally lead community outreach, site upkeep projects, social and field activities
- Drive standard transmission vehicles as needed
- Adhere to, actively model and enforce all SFS and program policies and procedures
Minimum qualifications
- Ph.D. and university-level teaching experience in areas related to wildlife biology/ecology, animal science, wildlife conservation and management or related field. Advanced students (ABD) may be considered based on qualifications.
- Field research and/or project implementation experience essential
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary teaching and research team
- Track record of research publications
- Demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment in which all learners have the opportunity to thrive
- Fluency in English language
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in East Africa (Tanzania is highly preferred)
- Experience in research and teaching field courses
- Residential student group management and risk management experience highly desirable
- Fluency in a language of the region
- Comfort with camping in the parks and other field expeditions in the field
- Enjoys working with others, taking the initiative, and functioning without close supervision
Other Expectations
- Obtain First Aid certification prior to first day of work (SFS reimbursable available)
- Willingness to work flexible hours and live on site at the field station with a small team of permanent staff, groups of US undergraduate students
- Participation in all program activities
- Represent SFS at local and international meetings and conferences
- At all times, work to ensure good relations between the SFS and the local community
- At all times, uphold the values of the SFS Position on Diversity and Inclusion.
Compensation/Benefits
This is a contract position starting in mid January 2022 and ending after the completion of summer programming (August) 2022 with the likely continuance in the fall semester of 2022 and beyond, depending on successful completion of duties and sufficient student enrollment. Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications. Comprehensive benefits package and on-site room and board included.
Location:
Moyo Hill Camp, Rhotia (Karatu), Tanzania
Reports to:
The SFS-Tanzania Center Director and the Office of Academic Affairs
Start Date:
January 2022
To Apply: Submit a cover letter outlining relevant experiences and addressing the qualifications and expectations stated above and curriculum vitae online. Recommendation letters will be required upon request. Equal Opportunity Employer.
For additional information, please email the Office of Academic Affairs at academics@fieldstudies.org.
