Project and philosophy:

This is part of a multi-year study on hoolock gibbons in the Dibang Valley. The natural scientific knowledge and methods in this study are integrated equitably, respectfully, and ethically within local knowledge of animals, forests, and land. The researchers will need to embed themselves within a local team and work in collaboration with Idu Mishmi landowners, other local people, and elders to co-produce knowledge. This research will adopt a non-invasive, ethno-primatological lens built around local beliefs, and offer a unique opportunity for researchers to develop training in interdisciplinary methods that tap into different knowledge systems (western scientific, local). Finally, the researcher may add other components to this work so long as the primary aims listed above are met.

Key information:

Location: Lower Dibang Valley district, Arunachal Pradesh

Start: January 2025
Duration: Multi-year, starting with a two-month probation period

Supervision: EECEP Management Committee,

with the assistance of Dr. Sahil Nijhawan (ZSL/UCL/NCF-Dibang Team) and Ishika Ramakrishna (CWS/MAHE/NCF)

Funding and reimbursement: All field and travel expenses will be covered in addition
to a minimum monthly allowance starting INR 18,500/month, commiserate with experience.

Requirements:

1. Master’s degree in one of the following disciplines – environmental sciences, life sciences, biology, zoology, or evolutionary anthropology – preferred but undergraduates in the relevant subjects and with relevant experience may also apply.
2. Prior experience in conducting biodiversity surveys in the tropics.

3. Interest in floral/tree diversity of Northeast India. Prior botanical knowledge of the region would be an advantage.
4. The student must participate in capacity-building and training activities conducted by the team.
5. Prior experience in conducting social science-focused fieldwork is preferred, but not a requirement, as long as the researcher is open to learning.
6. Ability to hike in rough terrain and conduct fieldwork in tough field conditions.
7. It is important that the researcher be sociable and have a keen interest in learning about local culture, customs, and ways of being and acting in culturally appropriate ways.

How to apply?

We are specifically looking for Mishmi researchers. Women and other minorities are particularly encouraged to apply. Interested researchers should email their application to dibangteam2020@gmail.com, with a copy to ishikaramakrishna@gmail.com enclosing a statement of purpose (in not more than

500 words) and a detailed curriculum vitae (CV), positively by 20 December 2024.

Emails should be titled “Gibbon Researcher Application_[Your name]”.
The statement of purpose should NOT repeat the information contained in the CV, instead focus on the following questions:
(a) How is your prior experience relevant to this interdisciplinary field-based
research?
(b) Why are you interested in ethno-primatology?
(c) Detail any prior experience of conducting collaborative research with local people.

Project Co-ordinator

The Dibang Team supported by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) is looking for a Project Coordinator in Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. The Dibang Program is a locally-led biocultural research and conservation initiative that combines traditional knowledge, Western science, and local priorities. Given its interdisciplinary, decentralized, and cross-sectoral ethic, the Project Manager is expected to have an interdisciplinary background, and experience of working as part of large, non-hierarchical, non-urban teams.

The selected candidate will support the Dibang Team in conducting its various initiatives in the region, including coordinating activities, organizing trainings and other meetings/events, and writing academic and popular articles.

Key responsibilities:

Work closely with the local team to manage and coordinate field projects.
Develop systems to store and manage data.
Help design, coordinate, and supervise ecological and social science research.
Produce materials for websites and other online media.
Keep meticulous documentation of various ongoing and new initiatives within the Program.
Organise skills training for local colleagues, as and when necessary.
Write reports and other material, as and when needed.
Co-work with the team to organize meetings, and events, and manage logistics/finances.
Help with admin duties across the Program, as and when required.

Qualifications and Desired Capabilities:

Master’s degree in natural sciences with proven social science experience or degree in social sciences with ecology/conservation experience.
Candidates with a Master’s degree are expected to have 3+ years of relevant work experience. Candidates with a fresh doctoral degree with some work experience may also apply.
Must be a self-starter and have a proven record of research project management skills.
Strong interpersonal and networking skills and ability to coordinate and work in large teams.
Proven proficiency in English (writing, editing). Spoken fluency in Hindi.
Must be exceptionally motivated and have the humility and patience to learn collaborative, kinship-based, and non-hierarchical working methods.
Must be open to working in a horizontal structure, according to local/traditional protocols, and learn from local ways of being. Importantly, they have a strong overlap with the Dibang Team’s values and work ethic (read more on dibangteam.com)
Knowledge and interest in social sciences, tribal/Indigenous traditions and histories, forest policy, laws, and governance issues in the Indian context.

Desirable qualities:

Critical thinking and advanced reading habits are highly desired.
Must be keen to learn local languages.
Experience and demonstrable interest in living and working with rural communities.
Experience with statistical analysis is an advantage.
Keen interest in the intersection of biological and cultural diversity, and motivation for fieldwork.
Proficiency in managing and using the internet and software such as websites, blogs, forums, social media, and other online skills.

This position is ideal for those who seek a small-scale, interdisciplinary inter-epistemological, kin-centric, and locally-grounded way of understanding and doing biocultural conservation.

Location and Pay:

Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. The candidate will be required to spend 2/3rd of the year in Arunachal Pradesh.

Time commitment: This is a full-time position.

Salary: Will be in the range of INR 30,000-40,000 commiserate with relevant work experience. Local travel and expenses are covered separately. Furthermore, additional travel funding will be available to attend conferences/meetings relevant to the position.

The position will have a three-month probation period and the candidate would need to commit for a period of at least one year, with an expectation of further extension based on mutual agreement and performance review.

As the project is inherently long-term, candidates who are interested in long-term and sustained engagement and commitment to people and landscapes are especially encouraged to apply.

How to apply:
We encourage all applicants to read more about the Dibang team’s work on dibangteam.com and reflect on whether and how you’d be suitable for this work before considering applying for the position.

Please send an application package to dibangteam2020@gmail.com with the following:

A 2-page cover letter (filename: 'your name_CL') that responds to the following questions:

a. Explain why you would like to work with us highlighting your interests within the team’s work

and suitability for this position.

b. What is your understanding of nature-culture relations?

c. What do you think about the role of Indigenous/tribal Peoples in wildlife conservation in India?

d. Describe your experiences of and learnings from working with rural teams.

e. Please include two referees' names and email addresses in your cover letter.

2. Detailed CV (filename: 'your name_CV') including your academic and professional background and affiliations.

3. One writing sample (filename: 'your name_WS') (max 3 pages)

The subject of your email should be: "Application: Project Coordinator – Dibang Program”. Applications that do not follow the above required format for the cover letters and other application material will be rejected.

The last date for submitting applications is 30th November 2024, but the position will be open until a suitable candidate is selected. Please wait for at least 4 weeks to hear back from us about your application before contacting us again. The selected candidate will be expected to start work within a month of being informed of their selection for the position.

The position is for Indian citizens only. NCF(Dibang Team) provides equal opportunities irrespective of gender, caste, creed, religion, and economic background. For this position, preference will be given to candidates from North-east India who are especially encouraged to apply. Women and those from under-represented groups or disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

| Interdisciplinary research on hoolock gibbons in Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh |

The Elopa-Etugu Community Conserved Area (EECEP) Committee seeks a passionate, dedicated, and friendly Mishmi researcher to lead interdisciplinary research on hoolock gibbons in Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. The research methods will include behavioral observation surveys, vegetation surveys, and gathering of gibbon sighting and activity data through interviews with local people. Given that gibbons are highly vocal, the researcher will additionally have the option to use acoustic sensors to monitor movement, home-range size, and abundance.

Project Co-ordinator

Mishmi Researcher