Conservation Education Internship in South Africa

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Spread awareness of the endangered status of the ground hornbill in South African communities.

Here’s a wonderful opportunity to join a South African conservation charity on a mission to protect the ground hornbill, an endangered African bird. As a conservation education intern, you’ll help the organization spread important information on the ground hornbill in local communities; a diverse and exciting internship in a stunning natural environment.

The threats to the ground hornbill’s survival are multiple, and the approach to the bird’s conservation needs to be multifaceted. An important element is spreading awareness in local South African communities, where various superstitions and wrong assumptions prevail about the bird. As an intern, you’ll assist with mapping these beliefs, developing effective education materials, and running workshops.

This conservation education internship is a unique opportunity to combine research with practical education experience, while getting a grasp of the day to day running of a wildlife conservation project. It’s also an opportunity to live and work in the African bush, as you’ll be based in a Big Five game reserve.

  • Learning outcomes of this communications internship;
  • Practical experience in hosting conservation education lessons, and in developing education materials
  • An understanding of NGO management and impact reporting
  • Experience in conducting field research and doing surveys
  • International work experience

ORGANIZATION

The Ground Hornbill Project is dedicated to ensuring the survival of the ground hornbill, an iconic bird that is classified as ‘endangered’ in South Africa. The threats to this iconic bird are multiple; their habitat is decreasing, they suffer from secondary poisoning, and they get electrocuted by transformer boxes. Moreover, ground hornbills are killed for traditional medicine, and sometimes targeted because of their territorial behavior.

To fight the drastic decline of the ground hornbill populations across Southern and East Africa, the Ground Hornbill Project has taken a multi-faceted approach that includes research, the provision of artificial nests, and the complex rearing and reintroduction of redundant second-hatched chicks that would naturally die of starvation. To fight misconceptions about ground hornbills, and reduce incentives for killing the birds, the nonprofit also runs education campaigns in local communities.

The Ground Hornbill Project is based in Mabula, a game reserve north of Johannesburg, but its work spans across the African continent. It’s the only organization fully dedicated to the preservation of the ground hornbill.

TASKS & REQUIreMENTS

Responsibilities

As a conservation education intern, your tasks may vary depending on your skills and the needs of the project, but they will likely include some of the following;

  • Help digitalize educational materials
  • Help develop new educational materials
  • Do research in local communities focused on beliefs and superstitions about the ground hornbill
  • Assist with taking surveys in communities
  • Help host workshops and lessons in local communities, educating community members on the ground hornbill
  • Assist with monitoring and evaluation of the conservation education program
  • Possibly get involved with some fundraising and digital marketing activities

Requirements

  • Strong research and communication skills
  • An ability to adapt to different cultures
  • A grasp of educational theories and approaches, and ideally some experience in education
  • A strong passion for spreading awareness on conservation issues
  • Drivers license (you will have to do some driving and upon arrival you have to take a small test)
  • A flexible attitude, as you’ll be living and working in the bush, where things can be unpredictable
  • A passion for wildlife conservation and the work the Ground Hornbill Project does

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

During this internship, you’ll get to live and work in a game reserve, surrounded by wildlife. You might wake up to elephants roaming past your room, lions roaring in the distance, and monkeys playing on the roof. The nearest town, Bela Bela, is about 45 minutes from the reserve.

Your accommodation is a five minutes drive from the office and you will have your own room, access to the common room, shared kitchen (where you can prepare your meals) and a swimming pool.

Safety & Support

Safety & Support

Make sure to visit your doctor and dentist for a check-up before yor internship and to get all the recommended vaccines and/or medications necessary to stay healthy. You are not located in a malaria risk area, so the people who live here do not take malaria medication. If you have traveled to a country with yellow fever risk, be sure to have a yellow fever certificate as this can be needed upon arrival.

Communication

Communication

You will be able to use your mobile phone in South Africa if you enable international roaming before you leave home. A cheaper alternative is to buy a local SIM card if your phone is unlocked for international carriers. You can go to most shops with your passport to buy a local SIM card (MTN and Vodacom are the main carriers). You can buy prepaid airtime at many smaller and bigger shops and then convert airtime to a data bundle if needed.

Meals

Meals

Your accommodation has a kitchen where you can prepare your own meals (or team up with other interns/volunteer for a meal). Usually the grocery shopping is worked around the project town trips (when supplies need to be picked up or the vehicles are due for a service). If you need groceries or toiletries urgently, there is a small Superette shop at the Reserve’s main lodge.

Location details

Location details

During this internship, you’ll get to live and work in a game reserve surrounded by wildlife. You might wake up to elephants roaming past your room, lions roaring in the distance, and monkeys playing on the roof. The nearest town, Bela Bela, is about 45 minutes from the reserve.

DATES & RATES

Fee Breakdown

Internship start and end dates are flexible and will be discussed with your during the selection process.

What you’ll pay (2024 rates)

8 weeks USD 2,162

12 weeks USD 2,809

16 weeks USD 3,456

20 weeks USD 4,104

26 weeks USD 5,074

Inclusions

  • Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
  • Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
  • An academic internship eligible for university credit. Check with your university to confirm if this internship qualifies for credit or alternatively we can assist you with purchasing transfer credits.
  • Accommodation in a single room.
  • Airport transfers from Johannesburg airport (OR Tambo) upon arrival and departure
  • Wifi access
  • Housekeeping service
  • Assistance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
  • An orientation program with your host organization
  • Supervision and support during your stay
  • Regular check-ins during your internship with your supervisor
  • Troubleshooting if needed
  • A reference letter at the end of your internship

Exclusions

  • Flights
  • Visa, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
  • Meals, drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
  • Costs for additional excursions or activities
SCHOLARSHIP & FUNDING

FAQs

Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in South Africa.

What can I expect from a NGO internship in South Africa?

During your internship in South Africa you can expect to meet people from around the world, as well as indulging yourself into the culture of this beautiful country! If you want to know more about what to expect, make sure to check out our top 7 reasons for an internship in Cape Town.

Will I have time to explore South Africa during my internship?

Yes! We partner with various activity organizers that can offer discounts exclusive to Roots Interns, for example, a road trip through the Garden Route and bungee jumping off the world’s largest natural bungee. You may also explore the country on your own and we are happy to give recommendations.

Am I able to do an internship while on a study program in Cape Town?

Yes! You are able to do a part-time internship with certain organizations so that you can continue your studies, while also gaining valuable work experience.

Will I receive a stipend of any kind during my internship with Roots?

Unfortunately, no. When working with a nonprofit organization, your internship will be unpaid, but there are many ways to fund your internship. Your experience will bring a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for both professional and personal growth that are invaluable!

QUICK FACTS

LOCATION: Bela-Bela, South Africa
PROGRAM FOCUS: Wildlife Conservation NGO
TASK FOCUS: Education, monitoring, research, community outreach
LENGTH: Min. 8 Weeks
COST: From USD 2,162

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Help spread awareness of the need to actively protect the ground hornbill, an iconic African bird that is endangered
  • Work with local South African communities to map conceptions of ground hornbills
  • Enjoy varied tasks that include research, monitoring and evaluation, developing educational materials, and running education workshops
  • Be part of a passionate and driven team of biologists and conservationists
  • Live and work in the African bush, surrounded by a wealth of wildlife and stunning nature
ENQUIREAPPLY NOW

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.

GET STARTED

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR

We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.

INTERNSHIP MATCHING

If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.

PAYMENT

If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.

CONFIRMATION

Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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