Assistant Manager, Islands Site - Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center

Introduction:

Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) USA is an international non-governmental organization that continues Dr. Jane Goodall’s pioneering work on chimpanzee behavior and conservation. Its mission is to understand and protect chimpanzees, other apes, and their habitats, and to work towards creating an informed and compassionate citizenry who will help to create a better world for people, other animals and our shared environment. The breadth of JGI’s mission reflects Dr. Goodall’s personal philosophy that the survival of all species, whether chimpanzees or human, depends upon the collaboration of all people.

Background:

JGI in the Republic of Congo (RoC) manages the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, Africa’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary, established in 1992 through a cooperative agreement between JGI and the Congolese Government. For over 30 years, this sanctuary has since been provided life-saving rehabilitation and sanctuary to sick, malnourished and injured orphan chimpanzees rescued from markets and homes by local authorities in the fight against wildlife trafficking and poaching in the Republic of Congo. In 2015, the sanctuary was expanded to include three large and forested islands, with the waters of the Kouilou River providing a natural barrier to keep the chimps safe from wild chimpanzees, bushmeat hunters, encroaching development and other threats.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Manager of the TCRC Islands Site is responsible for the general supervision of the Islands Site, which includes a base-camp and three islands of chimpanzees living in semi-liberty. Duties include daily visits to the secured staff-camps at each island to ensure adherence to standard protocols and operating procedures, as well as a permanent presence at the base-camp for various administrative and managerial duties. The Assistant Manager of the Islands Site is responsible for supervising six teams of caregiver staff, two teams of kitchen staff and two maintenance teams, as well as working in cooperation with the island veterinary-nursing staff. Apart from this, the assistant manager must work cooperatively with the site’s field supervisor, and with the JGI RoC ethology team that is also present at the base camp.

Requirements

Reporting authority:

The Assistant Manager of the TCRC Islands Site reports directly to the TCRC Sanctuary Manager

Essential Functions:

• Supervision of animal care, ensuring adherence to standard animal care protocols.
• Supervision of veterinary care, ensuring adherence to standard veterinary protocols.
• Accurate record-keeping of all veterinary treatments.
• Supervising hormone collection and analysis, in accordance with standard protocols.
• Collection of chimpanzee welfare-indexing data, in accordance with standard protocols.
• Ensuring all security procedures and protocols are respected.
• Organization and monitoring of construction projects and infrastructure maintenance.
• Verifying staff submission of daily chimpanzee and activity updates.
• Writing detailed monthly and quarterly reports.
• Verification of staff presence, absence and working hours.
• Ordering and distribution of Island Site supplies, as well as budget management for construction and supplies.
• Supervision and control of materials, supplies, equipment and storage facilities.
• Verification of quantities and quality of chimpanzee food purchases from local markets.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in areas of animal welfare or sanctuary management.
• Language proficiency in both English and French.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Attention to detail with strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work.
• Capacity to embrace change and create innovative solutions to complex problems.
• High level of cultural adaptability and intercultural skills.
• Experience/knowledge in veterinary medicine is preferred, but not required.

Housing, Travel, and additional requirements:

This position offers private housing with basic amenities on location. Given that the working site is remote and in wilderness settings, the role will require a high level of physical fitness and ability to withstand short periods of social isolation.

Location:

Tchimpounga Nature Reserve, Republic of the Congo, Central Africa.

Term of Employment:

One (1) year, with possibility of annual extensions (up to three years).

Estimated Starting Date: January 1, 2024

Application procedure:

Please, submit a CV/ resume of no more than 3 sides with a cover letter, including salary expectations, via email to

hvanek@janegoodall.org.

Note: Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. Due to the volume of anticipated applications, only applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

No phone calls please.

Non-Discriminatory Policy:

JGI’s commitment to equal employment opportunities and the value of diversity is an essential part of our business practices and principles.