Conservation Education Assistant

About Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (Fossey Fund) is a science-oriented, people-centered nonprofit NGO and the world’s longest-running gorilla research site with a history in Rwanda that dates back to 1967. We are a diverse group of professionals dedicated to the survival of gorillas and their habitat through a holistic approach that stands on four key pillars: daily protection, science, education, and helping communities. In Rwanda, we are based at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus in Kinigi, Musanze District, and primarily operate in and around the western part of Volcanoes National Park. Since 2012, we have worked in and around Nkuba Conservation Area, south of Maiko National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo to protect and research Grauer’s gorilla in partnership with the local communities.

Program Description

Fossey Fund’s Community Engagement Program is embarking on an exciting new chapter of development and growth. Therefore, we are seeking a dynamic, experienced and energetic individual passionate about people-centered conservation to join our team!

As a team, we share a set of core values that shape how we work:

Integrity:We do what we say we will do. We are honest and transparent. We earn trust from our stakeholders through our repeated actions.

Collaboration:We actively listen and learn from each other. We cultivate mutually beneficial relationships that foster organizational and environmental sustainability.

Passion:We care deeply about the wildlife, communities and ecosystems where we live and work. Our actions and commitments inspire others to join our mission.

Equity: Treat everyone with dignity and respect. We invest in our employees and stakeholders via programs that create economic opportunity and autonomy, while advancing our conservation initiatives.

Courage:We are bold, creative and innovative when faced with challenges or uncertainty. We bravely overcome the physical and remote challenges of our work. We constructively challenge actions inconsistent with our values.

Job Overview

The purpose of this role is to provide support and assistance to the conservation education department in the Community Engagement Program. This includes assisting the Conservation Education (CE) Coordinator with the planning and execution of conservation education projects as specified on the project plan. Specifically, this role will focus on supporting and monitoring the nature/environmental clubs that Fossey partners with, collecting, entering, cleaning and analyzing data on conservation education projects and overseeing the Citizen Science program on and off campus. This position will report to the Conservation Education Coordinator and work closely with other members of the Community Engagement Program team.

Location: Based at Ellen DeGeneres Campus of Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Kinigi, Rwanda

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the CE Coordinator with the execution of conservation education projects according to project plan, assuring projects achieve goals on time, within budget and are high quality
• Work closely with Finance and Admin to procure materials, resources and other needs to successfully implement projects
• Collect, enter, analyze and report data on conservation education projects
• Conduct field visits to nature and environmental clubs at schools adjacent to VNP
• Complete and submit field visit monitoring forms on time and ensuring high accuracy and quality

• Coordinate with the gallery team and lead primary and secondary school tours through the Fossey Fund Exhibit.
• Lead Citizen science/bird watching and student visits on campus
• Assist in the planning and execution of Conservation Camp including collaborating with partners
• Assist in organizing logistics for various education workshops held on campus and participate in workshops, leading sessions as assigned by supervisors.
• Assist in writing reports
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, education, wildlife tourism or related field
• 1-3 years of experience
• Fluent in Kinyarwanda (written and spoken) and English
• Demonstrated experience in implementing environmental education projects with communities living near protected areas in Rwanda
• Demonstrates a high degree of emotional intelligence and ability to make decisions.
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Able to work independently (proactive) and be a team player
• Strong collaborative skills and comfortable working with individuals at various levels of the organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communications.
• Results driven with proven track record of project management

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified candidates are invited to submit their application, including a cover letter, an updated CV with the names and contact information of at least three professional referees, and scanned copies of relevant certificates/diplomas. Applications should be sent via email to karisokejobs@gorillafund.org, no later than December 6, 2024. Please ensure the subject line of your email clearly states the position you are applying for.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Done at Musanze, 19^th Nov 2024

Felix NDAGIJIMANA

Country Director