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Title:
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Research Assistant
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Reports to:
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Connectivity and Climate Change Manager
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Position type:
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Full-Time
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Program name:
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Connectivity and Climate Change
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Location:
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WCS Mongolia Program office, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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Expected travel:
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Travel to work in other work locations, districts, and provinces as required, and at times can be at short notice and for extended periods.
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ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:
WCS is a US non-profit organization founded in 1895, dedicated to saving wildlife and wild places through science-based solutions and conservation actions. With over a century of experience and a global presence in more than 60 nations, WCS has played a pivotal role in establishing over 150 protected areas worldwide. Leveraging biological knowledge and fostering partnerships, the WCS office officially registered in the capital Ulaanbaatar in 2003. Over the past twenty years, WCS Mongolia has implemented activities addressing wildlife health, trade, animal movements, community engagement, and building awareness of and support for protected areas. Through the Mongolia Program, collaboration with governments, communities, NGOs, and industries is prioritized to maintain biodiversity, promote landscape connectivity, and contribute to sustainable resource management. The program's activities encompass wildlife research, protected area and community support, wildlife law development and enforcement, and sustainable infrastructure development.
MONGOLIA PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
Established in Ulaanbaatar in 2003, WCS Mongolia has remained dedicated to safeguarding Mongolia's wildlife and expansive landscapes for over two decades. Focusing on the Southern Gobi and the Eastern Steppe along with policy and capacity initiatives at the national level, WCS Mongolia's mission revolves around science-driven, landscape-level conservation. Collaborating with various stakeholders such as governments, communities, and private sector, the organization prioritizes biodiversity preservation, lands NGOs cape connectivity, and sustainable resource management at both local and national levels. Through an array of initiatives spanning wildlife research, protected area management, community partnership, policy development, sustainable infrastructure projects, One Health, and climate change adaptation, WCS Mongolia strives to ensure the long-term health and vitality of Mongolia's ecosystems.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Research Assistant will support applied ecological research and conservation initiatives under the Connectivity and Climate Change Team of WCS Mongolia. The position will contribute to understanding how wildlife populations, Mongolian gazelles, goitered gazelles, khulans, and snow leopards, respond to habitat fragmentation, human activities, and climate variability across Mongolia’s steppe and desert ecosystems.
The role primarily combines field support, data management, and basic data analysis. The successful candidate will assist in implementing ecological studies, organizing and processing field data, and contributing to technical reports and communication materials.
The position reports to the Connectivity and Climate Change Manager and works closely with team members and other WCS Mongolia programs.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Field Research Support
- Assist in ecological field studies, including wildlife movement and landscape connectivity research.
- Participate in fieldwork such as camera deployment and maintenance, GPS collaring support, and other wildlife surveys.
- Support data collection in remote steppe and desert steppe landscapes.
- Ensure accurate and consistent data recording following established scientific and ethical protocols.
2. Data Management and Basic Analysis
- Organize, clean, and maintain ecological and spatial datasets.
- Support data entry, quality control, and database management.
- Assist with basic quantitative and spatial analyses under supervision.
- Help produce maps, figures, and simple visualizations for reports and presentations.
3. Reporting and Communication
- Contribute internal reports and donor deliverables.
- Assist in preparing summaries of findings for presentations, workshops, and meetings.
- Support documentation of field activities and project outputs.
4. Collaboration and Learning
- Work collaboratively with WCS staff and local partners.
- Participate in team meetings, training activities, and technical workshops.
- Contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment.
5. Other Duties
- Support logistical preparation for field missions.
- Assist with equipment preparation, maintenance, and inventory management.
- Perform other duties assigned to support project implementation.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
- BSc in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science, or related field.
- Interest in wildlife ecology and conservation research.
- Some experience with fieldwork in remote environments is desirable but not required.
- Basic skills in data analysis software (e.g., R, Excel, QGIS) are an advantage.
Language Proficiency:
- Proficient in spoken and written Mongolian and English.
Personal Attributes:
- Strong willingness to learn and develop technical skills.
- Ability to work in remote field conditions under physically demanding circumstances.
- Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Positive attitude and ability to work effectively in a team.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please submit your completed application by including (all in one pdf file);
1) CV in English,
2) With a one-page cover letter in English (or Mongolian) explaining your interest and suitability for this position,
3) Along with diploma copies, and
4) at least 1 reference letters provided by previous line manager (or supervisor);
- The subject line of your email submission with “Application – Research Assistant and interested applicants should submit the application to the following email address: hrmongolia@wcs.org
- Applications should be sent on or before 5:00pm Ulaanbaatar time, Friday, 20th of March 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted;
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia Program
201 San Business Center, Amar Street-29, Small ring road, Sukhbaatar district, Ulaanbaatar 14200, Mongolia. Tel: +976-11-323719