Curator for Ex-situ Conservation- ACCB
Posted: 8 November 2023| Full-Time |Phnom Kulen National Park, Cambodia
Overview
The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) is a species conservation project of the Allwetterzoo Münster, Germany, and has been established in 2003 in collaboration with the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP). It is one of the first nature conservation centres in Cambodia and is located within Phnom Kulen National Park, not far from Siem Reap and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. The ACCB currently houses approximately 1000 individuals belonging to about 33 species of reptiles, birds and mammals native to Cambodia. Roughly 97% of the individuals at the ACCB belong to a species classified as threatened by IUCN.
The primary goals of the ACCB are:
- To provide facilities and technical expertise for the conservation breeding of selected threatened species, and to initiate and carry out appropriate reintroduction programmes.
- To promote the rescue of selected native Cambodian wildlife and to provide adequate rehabilitation and release facilities while ensuring the maintenance of internationally recognised standards.
- To serve as an education and training center for communities, wildlife officials and visitors to the center in order to increase awareness of and build capacity for conservation and environmental protection and management, and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources.
- To initiate and participate in wildlife conservation and research activities in Cambodia, including in situ conservation activities, species recovery efforts, biodiversity inventories and natural resource-use assessment, and to provide information to support management recommendations for protected areas.
ACCB currently offers an exciting and unique opportunity for a Curator for Ex-situ Conservation to join a team of passionate conservationists. The successful candidate will be working with the team on continuing, improving, and further establishing of conservation management programmes for some of Cambodia’s rarest bird and chelonian species such as the Giant Ibis, White- shouldered Ibis, Bengal Florican, Southern River Terrapin, Elongated Tortoise, and other threatened species native to Cambodia.
In addition, he/she will have to be prepared to support a variety of other activities at ACCB as required. The Curator for Ex-situ Conservation is required to live on-site and is expected to be on call for emergencies. This is a challenging but rewarding position for a highly dedicated and motivated individual with a keen interest in contributing towards conservation in Southeast Asia.
main duties and responsibilities
The Curator for Ex-situ Conservation plans, makes recommendations and implements all aspects of animal arrivals, husbandry, record keeping, enrichment, breeding, display and rehabilitation and release for all species of reptiles, birds and mammals at the centre.
The successful candidate will work closely with the other Curator for Ex-situ Conservation and the Veterinarian and report to the Country Director. He or she will participate in the long-term planning for the ACCB with regards to conservation breeding programs, animal husbandry, animal facilities and staff developments in the Animal Department.
Main duties and responsibilities of Curator for Ex-situ Conservation are:
- Provide highest standards of animal husbandry, rehabilitation and release for a diverse group of threatened bird, chelonian and mammal species
- Assistance with the establishment and the implementation of protocols, standards and guidelines relating to animal husbandry, conservation breeding, rehabilitation and release
- Carry out and supervise all aspects of egg care and incubation, and hand-rearing and care for neonates and juveniles of a variety of taxa where necessary
- Collaborate with the Country Director, Curator for In-situ Conservation, and Animal Department Team in pre-release assessments of animals prior to re introduction to the wild and coordinate and conduct animal rescues and releases
- Monitor animal health, and assist with veterinary care procedures as needed
- Participate in research projects and scientific publications as required
- Assist with facility maintenance, design, construction and renovation, and perform routine inspection of enclosures for cleanliness and structural defects
- Identify safety hazards and develop mitigations
- Co-supervise the animal keeping team; providing leadership, training and capacity building
- Supervision of students, interns and volunteers as needed
- Keep accurate animal records, including using the ZIMS animal management database
- Report writing, assisting in fundraising activities and grant application writing as needed
- Prepare budget requests and responsibly manage allocated budgets
- Purchase and organisation of animal food, supplies and enclosure-maintenance materials
- Help to ensure security of the facility by adhering to best practices and security guidelines as they are developed and implemented
- Representing the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity at meetings, workshops, and events as needed
- Other duties as assigned
requirements
- A degree in zoology, biology, conservation, animal behaviour, zoo keeping or related field, or proven equivalent work experience
- Proven working experience with birds or turtles under human care at a zoo, conservation center, or similar working environment
- Strong interest in conservation issues in Southeast Asia, and Cambodia in particular
- Demonstrable experience in staff training and capacity building would be an advantage
- Good communication and organisational skills are essential
- Written and oral fluency in English is required. Khmer communication skills, oral and written, is an advantage
- Self-disciplined, highly motivated personality able to work independently as well as part of an international team
- Good improvisational and practical skills, willingness to take initiative
- Experience in facility design and construction would be an advantage
- Ability to live and work under basic conditions in a rural area. Some previous experience of working/living in developing countries and/or in tropical climates would be an advantage
- Computer literacy with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office. ZIMS experience would be an advantage
- Physically fit and able to work outdoors in a hot, humid climate for extended periods of time
- Be culturally sensitive
- A clean driving license for cars
Duration, Conditions and Remuneration:
The position is for an initial guaranteed period of two years. Extensions will be considered based on mutual interest and funding availability.
- Duty station: Kbal Spean, Phnom Kulen National Park
- The position includes free, shared, accommodation (private room with access to shared bathroom, kitchen and living room) plus utilities at our Conservation Centre at Kbal Spean in Siem Reap province.
- For foreign applicants’ airfare to/from site if required is covered, including one return flight per year
- The position includes a contribution towards health insurance
- Visa and work permit cost will be covered
- The position is full-time (8 hours) and will include working weekends, public holidays and on-call availability for emergencies
- 6 days off per month
- The salary provided will be sufficient to allow for a comfortable living in Cambodia
application process
Interested candidates are invited to send an application letter and CV (by combining into a single PDF file) together with the names and contact information of three references to applications@accb-cambodia.org. Please include “Curator for Ex-situ Conservation” in the subject line of your email. Closing date for applications is Sunday, November 26th. Please note that interviews may be held prior to the stated closing date. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.
