African Bat Conservation (ABC) is a non-profit conservation research project based in Malawi, operating under UK Charity Conservation Research Africa (CRA) and in partnership with the University of the West of England, UK. ABC works in collaboration with and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Malawi (DNPW) to conduct three core activities:

1. Applied research for wildlife conservation management: to determine and monitor bat population trends, assess species threats and provide conservation recommendations; as well as a number of smaller student projects to facilitate and inform long-term conservation management of bat populations and their habitats. Project results are used to update IUCN species status reports and assist DNPW in long-term population monitoring and protected area management.

2. Education and awareness of bats and biodiversity and related issues through comprehensive community based education programmes, human-wildlife conflict surveys and teacher training workshops in collaboration with LWT and their Eco-schools programme.

3. Capacity building: to increase project effectiveness and long-term success by building capacity in ecological research, biodiversity monitoring and management for DNPW through training courses, attachment programmes and postgraduate research projects at MSc and PhD level.

Summary:

African Bat Conservation conducts research on bats across Malawi both at field sites and in urban areas of Lilongwe as part of our long term applied conservation research project. We conduct bat monitoring and research (mist netting, roost surveys and bat box programmes, and at certain times of year radio tracking bats in the urban environment) in Lilongwe and community outreach visits to respond to calls for assistance with human-bat conflict, providing advice and practical human-bat conflict mitigation. We are currently recruiting for a Marketing and Fundraising Assistant to assist our programme across sites in Malawi.

Person Specification Summary

We are looking for someone with:

Inspirational Leadership skills: You will need to be a great leader, able to inspire and motivate others.

Organisational skills: We are looking for someone who is highly organised and practical, with an eye for detail.

Management skills: You must have excellent interpersonal and management skills and experience of dealing with students and volunteers in a professional manner.

Maturity and Professionalism is a must, as well as the ability to work maintain the motivation and research output despite the many daily challenges of working in Malawi.

The position requires that you work at any of our sites as per project needs. This includes in Lilongwe and Kuti Wildlife Reserve. Work is on demand, with long hours, working a 6 day week. Being a conservation organisation we do not have regular office hours, so you will be required to conduct work as required by the project demand. This post offers an excellent opportunity for career development for a marketing assistant who is interested in applied conservation biology, bats, carnivores and human-wildlife conflict. This is an exciting indoors/outdoors, relationship-building role, dealing with volunteers, partners and local businesses to promote the work of our projects in Malawi and beyond.

The post-holder will: Work under the supervision of our Research Manager and Programs Manager and work with both the ABC and CRM Teams. Conduct office work by day including:

I. Website development and management

II. Liaising and managing volunteer bookings and enquiries for the ABC and CRM Projects

III. Keeping current and potential supporters up to date with the activities of ABC and CRM including preparing and sending out our monthly e-newsletter

IV. Create and maintain social media plans for both the ABC and CRM Teams

V. Increasing interest in our project and acquiring beneficial links through social media/developing blogs find external sites we could blog on and write for etc.

VI. Running and devising online fundraising events

VII. Creating and sending out fundraising packs for people to use

VIII. Search for grant funding CRA can apply to and report to ABC Research Manager (RM)

IX. Search for community funding CRA can apply to and report to RM

X. Supporting the Outreach Team with development of awareness and education materials

XI. Writing local and international press releases

XII. Assisting in volunteer recruitment through new marketing channels

XIII. Developing and maintaining a network of fundraising and business contacts

XIV. Work with the RM to develop a communications strategy to ensure that we make good use of press and media opportunities to advance the project

XV. Manage the ABC Social Media and Education Remote Volunteers

XVI. Collate monthly KPI performance reports for each platform. These reports will be used by the RM to support achievement of strategic engagement targets

Requirements

- Essential

• Previous experience of successful marketing and fundraising events
• Ability to take own initiative and be self-motivated
• Computer literacy: MS Office, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, HTML coding
• Positive mental attitude, resilient, ability to muck in and get on with it
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex issues, including scientific concepts, in an accessible way
• Excellent team-work skills and a mature attitude
• Experience of: web development, editing websites, preparing newsletters and e-Bulletins
• Experience managing social media account for a business / NGO
• A good understanding of current concepts in African conservation as well as issues in environmental science, policy and management
• Proven track record of developing effective partnerships with private sector organisations and excellent networking skills
• Passion for conservation and wildlife
• Hard work ethic, flexible and conscientious approach
• Highly organised and experience of collaborating across teams / departments
• Sensitive to other cultures and experienced working with people from diverse backgrounds

- Desirable

• Background/experience in marketing/media in conservation, wildlife or related field
• Previous experience of recruiting corporate sponsors
• Experience living and working in developing countries, preferably in Africa
• Experience of working with the media

Contract Conditions

Timing: This is an 8 month position commencing in May 2021   .

Hours: Full time flexible working hours, on average 6 days per week.

Location: The location is flexible according to our project needs so you will be based at either our research camp in Lilongwe, Kuti Wildlife Reserve or any other site as required.

Accommodation: In Lilongwe the post holder will be based at the ABC research offices and staff house in a shared room. There is a living area, kitchen, showers and compost toilets. In the field you will be sharing a walk in safari tent with beds with another staff member.

Conditions: ABC will provide 3 basic meals a day, accommodation and bills, work related travel, airport transfers and limited personal use of a project vehicle. You will be required to cover your own flights, food, visas, insurance and vaccinations.

Application process

To apply please download an application form from http://www.africanbatconservation.org/vacancies and send a completed Research Assistant Application Form with a Covering Letter (outlining why you think you would be suitable for the post) and a CV (if you wish) to Angelena at [email protected]

Further project information

Website: www.africanbatconservation.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanBatConservation/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanbatconservation/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/African_Bat