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Volunteer Opportunities
Please note, this project has no openings for financed positions.
Essential requirements for the volunteering
Since its origins over 20 years, the Madagascar Fauna Group has diversified its programs to a great extent, focusing today on four main pillars: research, conservation, environmental education and capacity building of our local partners. MFG has activities at three different localities: 1) MFG Office in Tamatave, 2) Parc Ivoloina, a forestry station 14km north of Tamatave and 3) RNI Betampona, a Nature Reserve 40 km north east of Tamatave. The MFG team consists of 36 staff members, all Malagasy except for the program manager. Being a non-profit organization MFG has limited resources to be able to hire more qualified foreign staff. However, MFG is currently focusing on capacity building of its own staff and this in a few particular fields of expertise for which MFG would like to attract volunteers who are interested in having a unique experience in a beautiful environment as part of a Malagasy team and program including a range of diverse activities. Volunteers will be based at Ivoloina. (Betampona is strictly for research/conservation so having volunteers at this site is quite complicated due to special permits needed.)
Interested volunteers are requested to send their CV, motivation letter (in French) and names of 3 references to MFG Program Manager via our Public Awareness Advisor at tim@savethelemur.org at the latest 2 months in advance of their planned arrival.
General requirements:
- MFG requires a minimum commitment of 2.5 months, ideally 3 months to be able to have a worthwhile input into our program. Shorter stays can be discussed if it involves a very precise terms of reference for a task that can be completed in a shorter time frame.
- Tourist visa upon arrival is up to 3 months and is not extendable
- Knowledge of French required
- Previous experience in traveling/living developing countries
- Demonstrated ability to adapt into different environmental and cultural settings
- Enjoy work in the field and able to live under basic conditions
- Ability to work independently
- Good physical and medical condition
- 20 years or older
- Volunteers are asked to come on malaria prophylaxis given the high risk of malaria in the region
- Medical insurance needed
- Given the isolated location of Ivoloina, volunteers are also welcome in pairs
Positions available
Volunteer Program Manager: MFG is looking for someone who is able to make a commitment of one year minimum to manage the volunteering program (selection, recruitment, supervision) and making sure the tasks are well integrated into overall MFG program and activities. The manager of the Volunteer program will be included in the weekly manager meetings on Wednesdays at Ivoloina and will be fully treated as fulltime staff in order to be able to follow up with needs of the MFG program and align the volunteers activities accordingly. In addition to this supervisory role we would encourage him/her to also set some clear work/task objectives according to below or other suggested expertise. Since we are always looking for long term English Teachers for our staff (beginner, intermediate, advanced level) it would be an add-on if the Manager of the Volunteer Program would be interested in including this in his/her tasks, however, this is not a requirement
Marketing officer One of MFG’s new objectives is to become financially more sustainable and generate more income within country. There are plenty of opportunities still unexplored, such as getting better at making publicity, expand potential of buvette with restaurant and gift shop, ensure fully operational Ivoloina Conservation Training Center, approach private sector and other associations to host events at Ivoloina. It would also be possible to link up with the Business Department of the University of Tamatave and try to come up with some thesis proposals for their students at Ivoloina. This position would need someone who is business-minded but flexible enough to adjust his/her vision within reality of local conditions and unexpected situations. A creative person who can improvise and come up with innovative solutions to what may seem straight forward elsewhere.
Ecotourism Trainer Ivoloina is the main tourism attraction of Tamatave and surroundings, but this site is up to date mainly known for its Zoo although there is so much more to be done and seen (model station, hiking trails, canoe trips, viewpoint, swimming at waterfall, playground, visitor centre, hydroelectric waterwheel, training center…). Therefore we would like to get some advice and support on how to better advertise and promote the other aspects of the Parc and encourage visitors to stay longer in the park. In addition, it would be beneficial to train some freelance guides up to high enough standard to be able to guide visitors in several languages (min Malagasy, French, English). The Ecotourism trainer would help in putting together a manual of factsheets on what there is to see and explore in Ivoloina. He/she could also help to advice on how to further improve visitor services, centre and signing.
Mechanics/Electronics Being located on the eastern coast of Madagascar we are blessed orcursed with 2800mm of rain annually and a humidity above 85% year round, which is great for biodiversity and the lush forests but a nightmare for all electronics we have to deal with including computers, solar panels, different electronic devices (USB drives, printers, GPS, cameras, generators, …). On top of that the road quality is very poor which leads to constant need for repairs of vehicles. So if you are handy in mechanics and/or electronics and are up for a large challenge in a country with very basic means for repair and spare parts, this is your chance to make a big difference!
Creative Artists Signs in the park, folders for publicity, posters for outreach events, decorations at the visitor centers, child-friendly interactive panels/tools, maps, postcards, ….anything visual that can help us get our messages across to our public which can be foreign/gasy, young/old, school groups/individuals, high end tourists/local visitors, sportive/relaxed -- you name it. It will be your role to make visitors and partners understand clearly what MFG stands for, raise their environmental awareness, and instigate new ideas/idealism. Due to high humidity we constantly need to replace panels/signs, come up with more resistant systems, be resourceful, and so if you are creative and want to help improve the Ivoloina visual and educational experience, join us!
Foresters Ivoloina is a 282-ha forestry station where several reforestation projects have taken place in the past but need follow up and evaluation on their successes. MFG has started with taking baseline data, set up regular patrolling system and come up with very initial suggestions for active forestry management. However the program would really benefit from having someone with background in forestry management in giving further suggestions how to approach a comprehensive integrated forestry management in line with our efforts to reforest mainly with endemic plant species, restoration habitats while managing exotic and invasive species and creating habitats to attract a diverse as possible fauna.
GIS/Remote sensing expert/trainer After 20 years of MFG, we have some basic maps of both Ivoloina and Betampona. Our team has basic knowledge of GPS and ArcView/GIS. We recently started plotting waypoints and tracks but could make large leaps forward at all levels (mapping, research, signs, trail system). The situation is ripe for someone with expertise to further train relevant staff and help us ensure that maps with all relevant landmarks are available for use, display, research, information and with clear indications for improvement
Other If none of the above sounds like you but you feel you could still make a useful contribution to MFG program do not hesitate to contact us and convince us!
Costs involved (Check Currency Conversion Rates):
-International Flight
-National Flight (Tana-Tamatave-Tana 250,000Ar one way) or taxibrousse 20,000Ar one way
-Visa costs (have recently gone up! Check your Dept Foreign Affairs website)
-Lodging in Tamatave (possible at 35–40,000Ar/night)
-Food, daily costs (7-10 USD a day is enough if you live moderately)
-Malaria prophylaxis obligatory! Check other vaccinations with your doctor
-Emergency details and Medical insurance
Provided by MFG
-Logistics on site in Ivoloina (dormitory, double room with bunk bed, mosquito net, limited electricity, small kitchen, showers, toilets, filtered water for drinking, ..)
-Transport in and out of town: every Tuesday & Friday and Wednesday upon availability
-Provision for food will mainly be done in town
-Use of MFG material (depending on TOR, materials from teams, local phone calls, bike of ICTC as/if available, access to computer/lab…)
Useful facts
-No cellphone contact or e-mail is available at Ivoloina, only fixed phone. In Tamatave, yes.
-Electricity supply is minimal (though hydroelectric power should be functional Jan 2009)
-December to March is cyclone season, June –July lots of rain
-Insects rule!
-Beautiful Parc, motivated team, lots of activities ongoing, nice atmosphere, beautiful sunsets, stars plentiful, swimming at waterfall, picnics at viewpoint, every Saturday lots of children in the education center.
THANK
YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION - MISAOTRA BETSAKA!
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Entrance to Parc Ivoloina
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