Consultancy Opportunity

Senior Social Scientist

International Marine Mammal Bycatch Assessment Project

Summary

The New England Aquarium is seeking to hire a consultant for a project that is assessing marine mammal bycatch in three countries: Ecuador, Chile, and one in Southeast Asia (Vietnam or Thailand). Bycatch is the principal and most immediate threat to many species and populations of marine mammals. In many parts of the world, especially in countries with large artisanal fishing sectors, the extent of this bycatch is largely undocumented. This project will take the initial step of understanding the bycatch associated with particular fisheries—industrial and small-scale—in three target countries, so that bycatch reduction programs can be directed at the fisheries where they are most needed.

The consultant will work with a team of in-country data collectors (4) from each of the three countries. The consultant’s responsibilities will be to:

(1) Assist in the design of questionnaires and interview protocols for collecting information from fishermen about bycatch;

(2) Train in-country data collectors hired by the NEAq in administering questionnaires and carrying out interviews;

(3) Assist in the analysis of the results from these surveys; and

(4) Help write the final assessment as a technical report for NOAA Fisheries.

The total period of the consultancy is approximately 30 work days (210 hours) spread over a one-year period. The Social Scientist will be required to make three overseas trips altogether totaling less than two weeks: Two short trips to South America (Ecuador and Chile), and one to Southeast Asia. The consultancy offers a competitive fee for services.

Expertise Required

· Experience in community assessment methodologies, in particular using interview and questionnaire administration protocols

· A PhD or equivalent experience in the social sciences

· Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

· Excellent analytical skills with social science information

· Familiarity with working in third world countries, and both flexibility and sensitivity when working within different cultures and societies

Expertise Preferred

· Fluency in Spanish and/or Thai or Vietnamese

· Previous work with fishing communities and marine conservation issues

Starting Date

February, 2014

Application

Interested applicants should Email a CV and expression of interest to: bycatch@neaq.org

Assistant Scientist

Consortium for Wildlife Bycatch Reduction

John H. Prescott Marine Laboratory

New England Aquarium

Central Wharf, Boston MA 02110

617.226.2217

www.bycatch.org

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