VACANCY: RESEARCHER – SHORT TERM ASSIGNMENT (60 days)

TRAFFIC, the International wildlife trade monitoring network working in alliance with WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and IUCN – The International Union for the Conservation of Nature, is seeking a Researcher to implement the research component of an ongoing project assessing consumption and trade in wild species in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Background

One of TRAFFIC’S remits under the recently awarded USAID CONNECT (Conserving Natural Capital and Enhancing Collaborative Management of Transboundary Resources in East Africa) project, is a demand reduction programme targeting consumers of illegal wildlife products in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Core to the development of an appropriate behavior change strategy is a body of research that will inform both the overall strategy but also key messaging to the priority target audiences.

A Phase I research project was completed in 2019 profiling the market dynamics of a range of terrestrial and marine species being purchased across a range of outlets and points of sale in the three target countries. In 2020, TRAFFIC will undertake additional research to further investigate some of the key findings uncovered during Phase I. The combined findings from the two phases of research will then be used to design and implement behaviour change strategies to reduce demand for illegal wildlife products; and will also be used to provide critical evidence to inform regional interventions In relation to policy, law enforcement and business engagement.

Specific Responsibilities 

This position is responsible for the successful delivery of the Phase II research component of the CONNECT project. The Researcher will work under the Project Manager – Research and Behavioural Change, and with TRAFFIC’S East Africa team and Behavioural Change Coordinator (BCC) in the UK to design and implement the Phase II research workplan.

Specific Duties

• Based on the recommendations from the Phase I research report, and in consultation with TRAFFIC’S relevant personnel (as listed above), confirm the priorities for Phase II research studies;
• Design, plan and budget for the Phase II research activities
• Oversee the collection and verification of quantitative data
• Produce a final technical report
• Present findings to project partners and stakeholder groups, including law enforcement agencies and business interests
• Manage and account for financial expenditures in the implementation of research activities

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be eligible to live and work in Tanzania and to travel within the region (Uganda, Kenya);
• Educated to a Master’s degree level, ideally in behavioural science, communications, sustainable development, social science or other relevant fields;
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili required, with fluency in Chinese a definite advantage;
• Professional qualifications in research an advantage;
• At least eight years of professional experience in running consumer research studies across a variety of audiences, and in a cross-cultural context;
• Excellent research design, methodology and analyses skills for both quantitative and qualitative studies;
• A minimum of five years relevant experience of working in a project management capacity, covering administration, logistics, budgeting, and reporting;
• Experience of working in conservation (especially wildlife trade) or international development, an advantage;
• Computer literate (Microsoft Office) with strong spreadsheet skills; Microsoft Project;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with strong organisational ability;
• A good team player, used to meeting tight deadlines and working under pressure; and also willing to work on own initiative; and,
• Must be able to travel throughout the region which may require frequent periods of up to one week away from home.

APPLICATIONS 

Applications must include a cover letter, along with a complete CV with full contact details of three referees and should be addressed to TRAFFIC East Africa, Researcher CONNECT, via email to: traffictz@traffic.org by midnight Tanzania time, 31 January 2020.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The interviews will take place over Skype and/or in-person in Dar es Salaam or Arusha, Tanzania.