We are seeking a passionate and visionary expert in wildlife management to take on the exciting challenge of aligning biodiversity conservation with the sustainable development of tropical forest ecosystems. These vital socio-ecosystems, essential to global biodiversity and climate stability, are under increasing pressure from deforestation, urbanization, and unsustainable resource extraction.

In this role, you will lead cutting-edge research, co-create solutions with diverse stakeholders, and spearhead capacity-building initiatives. Your work will promote sustainable management of wild species, enhance the resilience of ecosystems and local communities, and play a key role in advancing global biodiversity goals. This is a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change at the intersection of science, policy, and local action.The main responsibilities are as follows:

1. Research and innovation: Plan, conduct and supervise field studies on the interactions between wildlife, humans and ecosystems. This will involve appraising and monitoring ecological and social processes, including participatory assessments and community-basedsurveys, and the use of a wide range of wildlife monitoring tools in order to propose sustainable management strategies.
2. Project management: Design and implement research, development and conservation projects, in effective collaboration with local and international partners, in order to achieve the project’s objectives within set deadlines. In particular, the expert will be asked to support the teams at European Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme sites entrusted to CIRAD, interacting with the other members of the SWM consortium for at least 30% of his/her time.
3. Collaboration with stakeholders: Establishing partnerships with local communities, government agencies, NGOs and academic institutions to jointly develop strategies for the conservation, coexistence and sustainable management of wildlife. Strengthen local capacitiesthrough training programmes to enhance skills in ecological monitoring and management strategy.

4. Research impact: Translate scientific findings into policy recommendations. Contribute to biodiversity strategies put forward by CIRAD in the context of international negotiations (COPs, etc.) and engage in advocacy efforts promoting human-wildlife coexistence and the sustainable use of resources.
The expert will work in a variety of environments, requiring frequent travel to remote project sites in the tropics.

Job location: Montpellier with international missions.

Education:

• PhD in ecology, wildlife biology or related fields.
• Additional qualification in HSS is a plus.

Experience:

• Ideally at least 5 years’ professional experience in wildlife research, conservation or management, in tropical ecosystems.
• Proven expertise in community-based natural resource management and conflict resolution.
• Proven experience of managing interdisciplinary research or conservation projects that incorporate ecological, social and political dimensions.
• Experience in setting up and funding interdisciplinary research and development projects in developing countries is desirable.

Skills and abilities:

• Advanced technical skills in the methodologies of social science approaches and multidisciplinary ecological research, including impact monitoring, participatory mapping and stakeholder analysis.
• Proven ability to publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and modelling tools (e.g. R or Python)
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and French; proficiency in other languages is considered an asset.
• Ability to foster collaboration in culturally diverse, multidisciplinary environments, particularly in rural or marginalised communities.
• Leadership and organisational skills, with experience of coordinating interdisciplinary teams and involving multiple stakeholders.

Personal qualities:

• High level of autonomy and initiative, combined with a spirit of collaboration.
• Ability to tackle complex socio-ecological challenges with empathy.
• Commitment to sustainability, biodiversity conservation and coexistence between humans and wildlife.
• Ability to adapt to dynamic and changing project environments.

Job constraints:

• Fieldwork in remote tropical or subtropical regions with limited infrastructure.
• Extended stays in isolated locations, to facilitate field research and community engagement.
• Flexibility to adapt to the unpredictable logistical and environmental challenges inherent to conservation work.