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Volunteer Coordinator in Brazil
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Inspire and empower a new generation of conservation leaders through a range of educational programs
This is a fantastic opportunity for those with an interest in hospitality, program management, or team leadership to gain hands-on experience in a coordination role. You’ll head to a small seaside town to help facilitate a growing volunteer program that supports sustainable development in the region.
This organization works with the local community to develop and implement initiatives that support environmental conservation and community development. Their aim is to enable this community to protect the area’s unique flora and fauna by providing professional development in ecotourism with a range of educational programs.
As an intern you’ll help plan, coordinate, and facilitate the volunteer program. With a mix of office and field work, you’ll have the chance to gain practical experience in all that it takes to prepare for and host a successful volunteer program, bringing together people from around the world. As well as this, you can get involved with language exchange programs, computer literacy classes, and, for interns with advanced Portuguese skills, a female empowerment girl’s club.
Learning Objectives:
- Practical work experience in volunteer coordination / hospitality / program facilitation
- Insight into environmental conservation and community uplift
- A thorough understanding of planning, coordination, and implementation of volunteer programs
- An ability to build relationships and collaborate with various stakeholders
- International work experience within the nonprofit sector
ORGANIZATION
ETIV do Brasil is a nonprofit NGO operating in the Itacaré region of Bahia, Brazil since 2015. With an emphasis on youth development, they aim to advance social justice, ecological conservation, and sustainable development through a range of projects in the region. They also place a high priority on offering professional and personal development for their interns through hands-on experience working with local communities in international settings.
TASKS & REQUIreMENTS
Your role will revolve around building relationships with volunteers/staff members and working with them to enhance the organization’s work. Whilst your main focus will be on office-based work to ensure the volunteer program is running smoothly, you will also be involved with field work and the hands-on projects that Etiv do Brasil runs.
Responsibilities
Your tasks will depend on your interests and skills but will include:
- Supporting community events and supervising volunteers to enhance their experience and ensure their work aligns with Etiv´s mission and values
- Responding to email inquiries and volunteer applications
- Conducting interviews to assess volunteers’ work and personal progress
- Organizing and welcoming volunteers upon their arrival
- Creating greater structure for all volunteers to be able to work successfully and independently (Interns will receive regular supervision from the director or an ETIV staff member)
- Leading brief weekly team meetings
- Overseeing the Etiv complex house and office, including housing and gardening schedules
- Resolving conflicts and building greater unity
- Helping create a Volunteer Coordinator manual for future interns
- Supporting the social media, marketing, and recruitment activities
- Participating in the community-based conservation efforts such as beach clean-ups and reforestation programs
- Contributing to the upkeep of the complex and overall success of the organization
Requirements
- Strong leadership, social, strategic, and organizational skills
- Be a motivated self-starter with good conflict resolution skills
- A passion for environmental conservation and community development
- Adept communication skills and the ability to build connections with people
- Valuable qualities: Commitment, Patience, Flexibility, Adaptability, and Punctuality
- Written and spoken English skills
- Basic to intermediate level of Portuguese (free classes offered online prior to your arrival, and in-person classes available on-site at a small fee)
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
Interns stay in one of several apartments within the complex of the organization. Each has a well-equipped kitchen, electricity, Wifi, filtered drinking water, and the complex itself has a shared pool and a garden where interns can enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables. A dedicated office space is available to interns as well. There is a cat and other pets living there too. Located in the Passagem neighborhood of Itacaré, the intern accommodation is a short walk from the historic downtown area and the closest beach, Praia Concha.
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. Mosquito borne viruses including Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika do pose a threat in Bahia, so bring repellent and a mosquito net. Every bed has hooks to hang mosquito nets.
Communication
Communication
Free Wifi is available at the accommodation for staying in touch with loved ones through WhatsApp, Facetime, etc.
Meals
Meals
There is a well-equipped kitchen at your accommodation, where you can prepare your own meals.
Location details
Location details
Itacaré is a quaint surf town located in the northeastern part of Brazil along the Cocoa Coast (so called for its vast cocoa plantations). It’s situated right between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mata Atlantica Rainforest, so you can expect stunning scenery with beautiful beaches, waterfalls, jungles, and coconut trees.
DATES & RATES
Fee Breakdown
Internship with this organization are available from March to November. Start and end dates of the internship are flexible and will be discussed during the application process.
What you’ll pay (2025 rates)
3 months USD 3,264
4 months USD 4,080
5 months USD 4,896
6 months USD 5,712
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 shared apartment with a private room
- Transfer from the airport to your accommodation in Itacaré (approx. 1.5 hours)
- Ecological and city tours
- Cultural immersion activities (Brazilian food, movies, samba, capoeira)
- Portuguese language audiobook
- T-shirt
- Assistance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
- An orientation program with your supervisor
- 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 to Ilheus Jorge Amado Airport
- Visa and medical/travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Meals
- Transfer to the airport upon departure
- Drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
FAQs
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Brazil.
What can I expect from an internship in Brazil?
What you can expect from an internship in Brazil is immense personal growth, as well as professional development. You’ll dive into a vibrant culture and expand your horizons through cross-cultural interactions. You’ll gain hands-on experience in your chosen internship while building a big network of contacts and mentors along the way!
How long can I do an internship for?
The minimum length of an internship in Brazil is two months, but the ideal length is closer to four months, or longer. This ensures you have the time to truly make a tangible impact during your time. However, our programs are customizable in length so you can apply for a summer, remote, hybrid, or gap-year internship!
Do internships in Brazil qualify for university credit?
Yes, but you must confirm with your university supervisor to approve this. It’s also possible to purchase transfer credits to add onto your internship experience.
Will I receive payment of any kind during my internship?
Unfortunately, there is no form of stipend for internships in Brazil. Your internship will be unpaid while working with the nonprofit organization, but there are multiple ways to fund your internship. Your experience will bring a wealth of new knowledge and the opportunities for professional and personal growth are invaluable!
QUICK FACTS
LOCATION: Bahia, Brazil
PROGRAM FOCUS: Education & Conservation NGO
TASK FOCUS: Coordination, Facilitation, Hospitality, Program Development
LENGTH: Min. 3 months
COST: From USD 3,264
HIGHLIGHTS
- Gain international work experience in hospitality/program facilitation
- Boost your skills and confidence with responsibility and ownership of your tasks
- Live and work in an area of unparalleled natural beauty, the Cocoa Coast of Brazil
- Immerse yourself in the rich Afro-Brazilian, Bahian culture
- Polish up on Portuguese with free online courses before your internship and in-person lessons throughout at a small extra fee
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.
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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