Antwerp Zoo is looking to hire a person responsible for evaluation of the co-creation process that will take place in five countries and science communication to specific target groups as well as public under the international project ‘Genetic Indicators for NAture MOnitoring’ (GINAMO). The successful applicant will join the ZOO’s staff in the Research Department (CRC).
Antwerp Zoo is one of Europe’s leading zoos and a prominent cultural institution in Belgium. Within the department, you are joining a skilled and very diverse group of staff responsible for conservation (breeding) programmes and research - nationally and internationally, ex situ and in situ. Our departmental team also covers roles and responsibilities such as population management and influencing policy. We are very passionate and enjoy knowledge sharing and social gatherings.

The project
GINAMO is a three-year EU Biodiversa+ project involving 11 partner institutions from eight countries. GINAMO will use existing open access genetic and non-genetic data (including Earth observation data) to best determine accurate estimates of the two genetic diversity indicators of the Convention on Biological Diversity Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. To maximise implementation and reporting of these indicators, GINAMO will design, facilitate and scientifically evaluate co-creation processes in which GINAMO scientists and country stakeholders together develop methodologies and workflows (from raw data to indicator reporting) that are scientifically sound, appropriate and achievable for nature management and policy. A key component in GINAMO is the use of facilitated group decision-making processes to partner and co-decide with the stakeholder community from the outset, so that all resources produced respond to their concerns, reporting duties and monitoring needs, and are therefore more likely to be adopted. Easy to apply, standardized and automated workflows will be co-created for assessing genetic indicators on various transboundary geographical scales. Furthermore, GINAMO strives to deliver effective, transparent communication among all contributors, in addition to reaching out to a wide range of stakeholders, as stipulated in its ‘Communication and outreach plan’.

Job Description
The selected candidate:

• is part of the core team for evaluation (qualitatively as well as quantitatively) the co-creation process that will take place in five countries: Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France and Italy.
• communicates to GINAMO identified target audiences. This may for example be preparing and delivering presentations (eg. at science fairs), drafting reports, publications and outreach materials.

Duties and responsibilities

• Prepare and conduct interviews with stakeholders following workshops in different European countries.
• Collaborate closely with the two other social scientists in GINAMO to evaluate the co-creation process, including interview transcriptions and data analysis.
• Co-author a scientific publication on the result of the evaluation in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal.
• Work closely with the two facilitators responsible for developing and running the co-creation process in the five countries.
• Participate in online and relevant in-person project meetings of the GINAMO consortium.
• Contribute to the ZOO’s other conservation work in biodiversity and communication frameworks – as appropriate and feasible.

Required education, qualifications and experience

• MSc (minimum) in Social sciences.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.
• Theoretical and practical understanding of co-creation processes with multiple stakeholders.
• Training in and/or experience with Science Communication including the use of digital tools to produce and design materials.
• Fluent verbal and written communication skills in English, including proven ability in writing of reports or papers and delivery of oral presentations.
• Project management skills and proven administrative skills.

Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills: Ability to and a passion for working collaboratively with diverse groups of people across multiple cultures. Managing relations with professionalism, empathy, and tact.
• Proactive: Forward-thinking and taking initiative within the scope of professional responsibility. Able to take concrete and targeted actions to achieve agreed results.
• Organized and self-reliant: Demonstrated ability to work independently, coordinate complex projects, determine priorities, manage multiple tasks at varying levels, and keep on track to meet deadlines.
• Professional: Demonstrated reliability, consistency, transparency, inclusivity, and honesty in your actions.
• Adaptable: Ability to adapt quickly and with agility to new, ad-hoc and emerging situations and ways of working.
• Creative and enthusiastic: Seeks opportunities to apply new thinking to solve problems and has the determination to follow through to completion.

Other

• Able to travel internationally in Europe.

Desirable

• Experience with evaluation of co-creation processes.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of biodiversity conservation and stakeholder interaction.
• Knowledge of European and global biodiversity framework programs and data streams (e.g., Global Biodiversity Framework, EU Biodiversity Strategy, EU Bird and Habitat Directives, EU Nature Restoration Law.). Familiarisation with the genetic diversity related aspects of these framework programs.
• The ability to speak/write other European languages, especially French, Dutch, Italian and/or a Scandinavian language.
• Interest in graphic design and ability to use relevant digital tools to develop visually pleasing materials.

Working Arrangements
The position is a half-time post, based at Antwerp Zoo. The position is limited for two years ending 28 February 2027 at the latest. The timing of the working days can take into account the candidate’s preference. Occasionally it will be necessary to work at weekends and outside normal working hours. There is a holiday allowance and a company pension available.
Start date: 1 February 2025, preferred, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Applications and Recruitment Procedure
Interested applicants with the required attributes should send a CV and brief covering letter, all to be uploaded through the link on this page.
Application deadline: 24h November 2024.
Interviews will take place on Tuesday 3rd or Tuesday 10th December.
Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by email. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Application deadline:
24th November 2024