Overview

BirdLife South Africa, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, is one of the largest, most active, non-governmental conservation organisations in South Africa.

BirdLife South Africa is the South African Partner of BirdLife International, which operates through partners in over 120 countries and territories worldwide. The BirdLife Partnership is the leading and internationally acclaimed authority on the status of birds, their habitats, and the issues and problems affecting birds. BirdLife South Africa has special links with the BirdLife partners in Africa, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK.

BirdLife South Africa’s Regional Conservation and Empowering People Programmes are offering an exciting internship opportunity to someone with basic administration, marketing, research, and fundraising skills, but also with an interest in area-based conservation and avitourism, and who would like to contribute to the conservation of the natural environment.

The position will give the successful candidate exposure to the inner workings of a conservation NPO and help develop a well-rounded and elevated administrative skill set that is vitally important to any successful conservation programme.

This full-time, contracted internship will be for one year, commencing 4 January 2022. Candidates should be willing to commit to the position for at least twelve (12) months.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities include providing the following:

• Assistance to the Regional Conservation Programme Manager, East Atlantic Flyway Initiative Project Manager and Avitourism Project Manager with routine administrative tasks, meeting management, scientific and other research, drafting proposals and other communications, marketing, fundraising and social media awareness campaigns.
• Assistance to the Regional Conservation Programme with administrative tasks, marketing and fundraising, in their role to support African countries to implement site-based conservation, using various tools, aimed at conserving priority sites for habitats and species. This includes supporting South Africa and other African countries, particularly BirdLife country partners, to implement Red Listing, Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), Other Effective Areas-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and associated monitoring of sites and species.
• Assistance with the administration of the Community Bird Guide Project, the network of BirdLife South Africa Recommended Accommodations, Tour Operators and Course Providers, the development of the new and exciting Go Birding South Africa avitourism online hub, and the South Africa Listers’ Club, among other things.

INHERENT REQUIREMENTS

Inherent requirements for the position are:

• A relevant degree (honours or masters) in the field of conservation, environmental sciences and/or nature-based tourism.
• Fair knowledge of national and regional conservation issues facing especially birds and other biodiversity. • Fair knowledge of South Africa’s birds and birding.
• Language proficiency in English with excellent writing skills.
• Research skills and experience.
• Basic website editing knowledge.
• Administrative and fundraising ability.
• Social media proficiency.
• Excellent Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Zoom.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Relevant administrative, and/or marketing, and meeting management work experience.
• Attention to detail.
• Confidence, energy, self-discipline, self-motivation.
• Strong people skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• GIS proficiency.
• Code 8 drivers licence.

GENERAL

The successful candidate will be primarily based at Isdell House, BirdLife South Africa’s head office in Dunkeld West, Johannesburg, and will report to the Regional Conservation Programme Manager and Avitourism Project Manager. Depending on the BirdLife South Africa COVID-19 protocol, the candidate may also be required to work remotely and should be willing and able to do so.

REMUNERATION

Salary: BirdLife South Africa offers a salary which is commensurate with the position and responsibilities. The salary information is available on request. For any further enquiries, please feel free to contact 011 789 1122, and ask to be directed to the HR Manager.

Fringe benefits: BirdLife South Africa only offers comprehensive group life insurance.

INTERVIEW

Interview: Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend interviews via Zoom.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants are to submit:

• A detailed curriculum vitae with three contactable referees (recent).
• Copies of qualifications (please provide the SAQA accreditation in the case of foreign qualifications).
• A list of your publications and other achievements (if applicable).
• A copy of the applicant’s identity document and drivers licence.
• A Cover Letter (motivation for application).

Please note:

• All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.
• BLSA reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• BLSA subscribes to and applies the principles prescribed by the Employment Equity Act. Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the aforementioned act and the employee profile of the specific programme/s.

Assumption of duties: 4 January 2022
Closing date: 30 September 2021

To apply please e-mail your CV and motivation to BirdLife South Africa’s HR Manager Dr Isabel Human at isabel.human@birdlife.org.za with the subject title Regional Conservation and Avitourism Intern.