Research Intern at Akagera Management Company: (Deadline 13 October 2023)

Research Intern at Akagera Management Company: (Deadline 13 October 2023)

AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK INTERN VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Akagera Management Company Ltd (AMC Ltd) was created from the agreement between African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board to manage Akagera National Park. AMC Ltd is seeking to recruit two (2) Research Interns to work on a research project titled “Local Ecological Knowledge and Community Strategies for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management/Co-existence in Akagera, Rwanda,” in collaboration with Kent State University. The candidate must be a Rwandan, technically skilled with good problem-solving ability, enthusiastic and motivated, and have research experience.

TITLE: Research Intern

REPORTING TO: Community Liaison Manager and Conservation & Research Manager 

ABOUT THE ROLE: Akagera National Park and Kent State University’s School of Peace and Conflict Studies (SPCS), in collaboration with University of Rwanda’s Centre for Conflict Management, and the Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management (CoEB) seek to undertake a research project on “Local Ecological Knowledge and Community Strategies for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management/Co-existence in Akagera, Rwanda.”

The research will explore existing local ecological knowledge (LEK) in communities around Akagera National Park with special emphasis on how community members use their local ecological knowledge and strategies to co-exist with wildlife around the park.  The project seeks to hire two (2) enthusiastic research interns based in the Community Liaison Department at Akagera National Park, Rwanda to support the project for a period of 6 months (approximately February – July 2024).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Training(s):

1. CITI training is required and will be provided as per the requirements of Kent State University’s Office of Research Compliance.
2. The research interns are expected to attend a full-week, in-person or virtual, training to go over research protocols and prepare for the field work before the internship period begins.
3. Research interns will also be trained in interview transcription and translation, if not already experienced.

Data Collection, Analysis and Report Writing:      

1. Familiarizing with all the tools and adopted methodologies for data collection and analysis.
2. Undertaking interviews, surveys and focus groups with key respondents in the Akagera Region.
3. Collating the data (e.g., digitizing, transcription, translation), support in the analysis and report writing.

Administrative Duties:

1. Documentation of project related activity reports on a weekly basis.
2. Keeping track of all field-based project expenses.
3. Reporting to Community Liaison Manager and Project PIs. Other key relationships will be with Community Liaison Officers and Conservation & Research Department.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Suitable candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Hold a BSc in Conservation, Ecology, Natural Resource Management or BA in Conflict Management, Community Development or other relevant fields.
2. Have field experience working on research projects, ideally in community contexts; particularly in qualitative data collection, analysis and report writing.
3. Proficient in computer packages with emphasis on Microsoft programs and GoogleDrive. Some knowledge of advanced qualitative research programs are an added advantage (NVivo, Zotero, transcription software).
4. Have good analytical and problem-solving skills.
5. Be able to work independently, reliably, and with flexible schedules.
6. Willing to work in a rural setting and potentially camping in or around the park.
7. Strong spoken and written English and Kinyarwanda.
8. Must have their own laptop, including Microsoft office packages (word, excel, ppt).

NB: Applicants who do not meet the criteria will not be considered.

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter highlighting how you fit the qualifications for this role and a CV with names and contact information of at least two references. In your cover letter, please include your relevant achievements and a summary of your research experiences.

Send your application as a single PDF document, with the subject line “Community Research Intern at Akagera” to Akagera National Park at: amc.recruit@africanparks.org.

Please reach out to drewb@africanparks.org should you have any questions or queries.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be sent to the email above by 13th October 2023.

Please note that only candidates with the required qualifications and relevant experience will be shortlisted. If you do not hear from us within one week after submission deadline, please know that you have not been shortlisted.

Done in Akagera National Park on 25^th September 2023

NDAHIRIWE Ladis

Park Manager/CEO, Akagera Management Company