Volunteer Positions at the CRPL
The Centre de Rehabilitation des Primates de Lwiro (CRPL) is a primate sanctuary located in the South Kivu Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Centre was established in 2002 by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) and the Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles (CRSN) and is now managed by a consortium of local and international organisations including the ICCN, CRSN, Coopera, Venner av Lwiro and Friends of Lwiro Australia.
The CRPL currently houses over fifty chimpanzees and seventy monkeys, representing more than ten different species, all victims of the illegal wildlife trade in the DRC. With established education and awareness programs, and as the only wildlife sanctuary in the region, the CRPL acts as a crucial resource for all conservation organisations working in the area.
The Centre is situated just outside the boundary of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega (PNKB), making it the ideal venue for great ape health, law enforcement and conservation programs and is included in the PNKB’s Operational Plan and also in the Conservation Action Plan (CAP) for the Kivu Landscape, indicating the Centre’s imperative role in conservation in the region. The CRPL is also a Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) member sanctuary.
Over the past few years the CRPL has been developing new facilities to remove the animals from the cages in which they previously lived and to house them in open plan enclosures, enhancing their quality of life and improving our rehabilitation methods. The next 5 years will be a dynamic time for the CRPL and we are seeking 2 persons to assist with this process of change.
These positions are of a voluntary nature, however assistance will be provided with basic costs. While the CRPL runs a volunteer program for paying volunteers, these positions will hold more responsibility.
The primary position we are searching for would be responsible for:
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Grant writing and fundraising (this is the most important aspect of the job)
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Donor/Sponsor relationships
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Web communications and administration
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Overseeing the volunteer program
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Education programs, in particular the Roots and Shoots program
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Overseeing the sanctuary
The second position would be responsible for:
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Overseeing the new facilities in the sanctuary, animal integrations etc.
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Overseeing construction programs
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Organising basic maintenance
We are ideally seeking a couple, or 2 friends, for these positions as Lwiro can be a little isolated, however we will take applications from individuals for the primary position only. The primary position is the priority for the CRPL as we do not receive any government funding and rely on grants and donations for all our costs. As these positions are voluntary, you will be responsible for your own expenses – including but not limited to travel, visas, insurance etc. Housing and food will be provided by the CRPL. These positions are for 12 months (with a 3 month probation period), with the option to extend further. Assistance with visa costs can be negotiated after the 3 month probation period.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
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Fluency in written and spoken English – for the primary position.
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Advanced computer skills; the ability to navigate the internet, produce documents to a high standard, maintain a
blog and other social media, use Microsoft Office programs to a high standard – for the primary position.
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Exceptional ability to communicate with donors, sponsors, partners and staff.
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Some knowledge of and an interest in conservation and animal welfare principles.
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Good organisational skills.
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Captive animal management background– Great Ape or primate management skills a further advantage.
Desirable
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Background in fundraising and grant writing – for the primary position.
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Spoken French.
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Experience living and working in a developing nation (particularly Africa ) for more than 6 months.
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Staff management skills.
We would like these positions to commence in April 2013.
If you are interested in these positions, please email your CV and a cover letter to:
Any questions can also be directed to this email address.
For more information about the CRPL, please visit:
Please mention Zoo News Digest should you apply for this vacancy
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