Conservation Research & Training Director (Field-based)

🦁 WHO YOU ARE: THE MASTER EDUCATOR

This is a role for a distinguished conservation practitioner who believes that the most powerful tool for protecting biodiversity is education. You have spent the last 10–20 years not just studying ecosystems, but mastering the art of teaching others how to save them.

You are a veteran of the field who thrives at the intersection of rigorous science and transformative mentorship. This is not an ivory-tower role; it is for a leader who understands that a lesson on coral reef ecology is most impactful when delivered while gear-checking on a boat, or that a lecture on human-wildlife conflict is best taught at the edge of a community farm. You are a mentor first, a scientist second, and a lifelong learner always.

🏕️ LIFE IN THE FIELD

This is a residential, field-based position located in some of the world's most remote and beautiful landscapes. You will be the "Head of Faculty" for your hub, living alongside a dedicated team of international staff and students.

Global Placements (Starting April 2026):

• Wildlife Hubs: The Peruvian Amazon, South African Bush, Costa Rican Rainforest, or Madagascan Forest.
• Marine Hubs: Seychelles (Indian Ocean), Indonesia (Raja Ampat), or Fiji (South Pacific).

✨ WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

As the Conservation Research & Training Manager, you are the primary architect of GVI’s experiential teaching. You don't just oversee research; you ensure that every data point collected serves as a profound learning moment for our participants. You are the bridge between complex academic theory and the "boots-on-the-ground" skills required to sustain local ecosystems.

🐘 WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

1. Strategic Science Communication and Field Instruction 

• Lead the delivery of site-specific conservation curricula, ensuring that high-level scientific concepts are accessible, engaging, and ethically sound.
• Model "best-in-class" teaching techniques for field staff, turning every wildlife encounter or survey transect into a masterclass in ecology.
  
• Facilitate professional development and technical skill-building
  

2. Pedagogical Quality & Impact

• Provide direct oversight of our Conservation Research Modules (CRM), ensuring they meet the highest standards of international experiential education.
• Work with the Impact Director to ensure site-specific research translates into tangible educational outcomes and "aha!" moments for participants.

3. Mentoring the Next Generation

• Act as the primary mentor for field staff, leveraging your 10–20 years of experience to help them transition from students to professional practitioners.
• Facilitate workshops on field tech (GIS, R, Camera Trapping) that prioritise "learning by doing."

4. Strategic Data & Partnership Management

• Liaise with international academics and local partners, ensuring GVI’s data contributes to global conservation dialogue and potential publications.

🦒 WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Academic Background: An advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in Conservation Biology, Ecology, or Marine Biology.
• The 10-20 Year Edge: Extensive, proven experience in teaching and field instruction. You should have a "portfolio" of mentorship, having trained hundreds of students or staff in remote settings.
• Practical Wisdom: Deep proficiency in biodiversity monitoring and field technology, paired with the ability to troubleshoot equipment and methodologies in low-resource environments.
• Multifaceted Leadership: Experience managing both academic research initiatives and nonprofit or outreach programs.
• The "Lead-by-Example" Spirit: You are comfortable with the "messiness" of remote life and possess the emotional intelligence to lead a communal living environment with grace and humour.

🐾 WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• Competitive monthly salary package
• Full room and board in some of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
• The opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by shaping the careers of future conservation leaders.
• Comprehensive emergency medical and travel insurance.

✅ YOUR NEXT STEP

Please send us your CV and a short Cover Letter sharing why this role is the right fit for you.

Kindly note: We genuinely appreciate every application we receive. If you haven’t heard from us within 3–4 weeks, it likely means we’ve moved forward with other candidates this time. That said, we’d love for you to stay connected and consider applying again in the future!