JOB PROFILE
JOB TITLE: Assomption Invasive Mammal Eradication Feasibility Field Team Leader
SALARY: Subject to qualifications and experience
REPORTING TO: Head of Assomption and Biosecurity Department
START DATE: 15/07/2026
DURATION: 3 to 5 months
LOCATION: Assomption Island
INCLUDES: 1 Return flight to Seychelles, transport to and from Assomption
The Assomption Feasibility Field Team Leader will be responsible for implementing the Assomption Invasive Mammal Eradication Feasibility Assessment workplan on Assomption Island and leading the field team conducting feasibility assessment. The Field Team Leader will manage eradication assessment staff on Assomption and oversee all field-based activities, ensuring work is conducted safely, efficiently, and according to approved protocols. The role involves close coordination with the Assomption Eradication Project Coordinator and the Eradication Assessment Consultant, as well as regular communication with the wider SIF coordination team. The Field Team Leader will manage and supervise field staff, provide training in invasive rodent and cat (IAS) management and baiting assessment techniques and ecological monitoring methods, and ensure high standards of data collection, record keeping, and reporting. The role also includes supporting adaptive management by adjusting eradication plans according to the technical assessment results, and ensuring that all aspects of the work are meticulously documented and communicated, including discontinued or unsuccessful trials.
In addition to technical and operational responsibilities, the Field Team Leader is expected to act as a professional role model on Assomption Island, demonstrating high standards of leadership, mentoring, safety awareness, teamwork, and professional conduct in a remote and challenging location.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Highly experienced field team leader with outstanding project management skills
- Postgraduate degree in environmental science, conservation, or a closely related field (essential)
- 5–10 years of experience managing field-based conservation projects (essential)
- 3+ years of experience leading teams in remote environments on invasive rodent and cat eradication preparation and implementation, monitoring, or project coordination, ideally in Seychelles or the Western Indian Ocean region (essential; experience of this with rats, mice and cats is preferable)
- Experience in ecological monitoring design and research on non-target species (essential)
- Demonstrated experience with ethical IAS capture, culling, and dissection (essential)
- Experience with mark–recapture methodologies for rats and cats (essential)
- Experience planning and deploying camera trap monitoring systems (essential)
- Experience conducting baiting trials to assess bait uptake, palatability and availability by invasive rodents (desirable)
- Experience dissecting rats/mice to assess breeding condition and stomach contents (essential)
- Experience working with and leading international field teams (essential)
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:
- Ability and enthusiasm to train and mentor field staff, and build capacity in IAS management and ecological monitoring (essential)
- Strong understanding of current invasive rodent and cat management best practices, particularly advances in rodent eradication techniques (essential)
- Excellent data management, analysis, and reporting skills (essential)
- Extensive hands-on fieldwork experience and team leadership in remote environments (essential)
- Outstanding organisational, logistical planning and communication skills (essential)
- Experience writing regular technical reports and contributing to scientific publications (desirable)
- Excellent physical fitness for demanding field conditions (essential)
- First aid qualification suitable for remote fieldwork (essential)
- Cross-cultural sensitivity and ability to bring people together (essential)