- Company: WeForest Zambia Ltd
- Location: Zambia
- State: Zambia
- Job type: Full-Time
- Job category: Advertising/Media Jobs in Zambia
Camera-trap Monitoring Internship
INTERNSHIP CONTEXT
WeForest is a fast growing international non-profit association with headquarters in Belgium and legal entities in France, USA, Ethiopia and Zambia. Our aim is to demonstrate, through the restoration of entire regions, that well planned tree planting, reforestation and conservation can be the solutions to today’s biggest challenge: climate change. The organization is promoting Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) best practices, creating a movement, engaging the greatest brands and their millions of customers to act positively.
The WeForest Chintumukulu program in Zambia supports a local society (the Mpumba Natural Resources Conservation Society; MRNCS) to establish and functionalize a community conservancy of app 10.000 ha and to develop sustainable income sources to run the conservancy in the long-term. The conservancy consists predominantly of intact miombo forest, interspersed by dambos (wetland depressions) and riverine forests. It is wedged between Mutinondo Wilderness in the West, and the Muchinga Escarpment in the East (Luangwa National Forest). The conservancy is remote (closest community settlements app. 25km away) and intact (only 5% of the area has illegally converted into agricultural land).
WeForest builds on a strong reputation of scientifically sound monitoring and evaluation technics using latest technology to evaluate impacts of FLR on biodiversity. In the Chintumukulu Conservancy we use camera-traps for opportunistic biodiversity assessments as well as structural wildlife monitoring. To manage all aspects of the camera trap program, including set-up, regular assessment in the field and sorting, analysing and reporting on captured footage, WeForest is looking for a fit, adventurous, enthusiastic and strongly independent intern. The intern will be guided on-site by the WeForest Chintumukulu coordinator and work closely together with local community members in the field. The intern will also report the findings to the MNRCS board of executive members.
The intern will be based at the Chintumukulu Community Conservation Centre (app. 35km from the conservancy boundary, along the Great North Road), but will be required to frequently stay overnight in the conservancy. Travel to, and within the conservancy will be on bicycle, motorbike or 4×4 vehicle.
RESPONSIBILITIES & TASKS
Take full ownership of the camera-trap program in the Chintumukulu Conservancy
Set-up and manage a suit of at least 16 camera-traps, which will be deployed along a grid in a rotational system throughout the monitoring period (July to October)
View and filter all captured footage
Analyse the data using simple formulas
Report on the final outcome of the program
CANDIDATE PROFILE & CONDITIONS
Location: Chintumukulu Community Conservation Centre, Salamo Village, Lavushimanda district, Muchinga province
Timing: Up to 4 months. Starting in July 2022 up to October 2022
Remuneration: as this is an internship position we offer a monthly stipend of k1500 for a full time equivalent which is to be calculated based on the actual number of days worked. Provided by us is once off transport to/from your place of residence and the project site, accommodation on site and relevant project related transport and expenses.
Education: a student/degree holder in wildlife management, biology, bio-engineering or equivalent
Language: Fluent in English (both speaking and writing) and Bemba/Bisa
Skills:
Be used to work independently whilst maintaining the highest standard of detail
Have a good practical understanding of the bush (orientation, navigation, hazards, etc)
Have a technical understanding of, and be comfortable to use GPS devices, camera’s and smartphone applications.
Competent with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and powerpoint) to write reports and perform simple data analysis
Good knowledge of medium to large sized mammals is a plus
Proven experience with camera trapping technics and methods is a plus
Other requirements
Be comfortable with the challenging conditions associated with the remote area and wilderness
Be comfortable with, and sufficiently fit to endure lengthy hikes and visits to, and frequent overnight stays without any infrastructure in the Conservancy
Be legally allowed and experienced to drive a motorized vehicle and motorbike will be a plus
WHAT WE OFFER
Fieldwork experience in a remote and wild corner of Zambia
The excitement of camera-trap sightings of a large suit of mostly elusive and rare animals such as leopard, aardvark, honey badger and porcupine
The opportunity for independently taking ownership of the camera-trap program
Be part of a global NGO
Free, though basic, accommodation (often in tents) and access to the area.
Regular coaching by project coordinator
DELIVERABLES
Will be agreed with the selected candidate before starting
Please send applications to recruitment.zambia@weforest.org with your CV, a motivation letter (max one page), and 2 recent references by June, 12th 2022.
Make sure to mention the job title in the subject of the email, and to indicate where you saw the job post. In your motivation letter, we’d love to read about what makes you interested to do an internship with WeForest.
Due to the anticipated high number of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We thank you in advance for your interest.
