Threatened Species Conservation Officer
Gaborone, Botswana
AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information
contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while AVI takes
responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to
change due to the inherent low levels of predictability in developing country environments. This
assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.
General Details
Assignment Title
Threatened Species Conservation Officer
Host Organisation
BirdLife Botswana
Website of Host Organisation
www.birdlife.org
Duration of Assignment
12 Months
Start Date
31 Oct 2015
Pre-departure Briefing Date
2 Sept 2015
AVI Assignment Code
10533647
Australian Partner Organisation
N/A
Host Organisation Overview
BirdLife Botswana is a non-profit organisation that has been in existence since 1980. The society is the
official representative of BirdLife International in Botswana.
To conserve Botswana birds and important bird habitats, by creating awareness, carrying out research
and promoting beneficial relationships between birds and people. This is achieved through:
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Protecting bird species, sites, habitats and creating opportunities for local communities (particularly
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youth and women) living near bird areas to earn a meaningful income, and
Increasing interest and awareness among Botswana citizens, especially the youth, in birds.
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Key Activities include:
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Research and monitoring of, and species-specific conservation actions, for globally threatened
birds in Botswana
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Monitoring of ‘common birds’, through a Bird Population Monitoring Program
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Promotion of Important Bird Areas and lobbying for their increased protection
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Working with private companies to ensure reduced impacts of their actions on birds, biodiversity
and protected areas, while also seeking their active participation in the conservation of priority
threatened species
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Promotion of bird tourism, particularly at Important Bird Areas, as a means to create an incentive
for citizens to take interest in the conservation of Botswana’s birds and habitats.
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Environmental education, largely targeting schools and the general public
Membership activities, aiming to increase the appreciation of birds in Botswana
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, IBAs; have been identified using agreed global criteria, and in
any country the network of IBAs represents the minimum set of sites essential to ensure the survival of
birds in that country. IBAs are Chobe National Park, Linyanti Swamp, Okavango Delta, Lake Ngami,
Makgadikgadi Pans, CKGR, Mannyelanong Hill, Tswapong Hills, Bokaa Dam, Phakalane Ponds,
Pitsane grasslands & Kalahari Transfrontier Park.
Assignment Overview
High mortality rates due to deliberate and unintentional poisoning of vultures (and other birds of prey) in
Botswana are impacting seriously on vulture populations in Botswana. The volunteer would help
develop and coordinate a multi-pronged project to address the myriad of threats posed by vulture
poisoning. The skills needed for the role are not available locally, thus an international expert is
requested. The volunteer will help train local staff during their assignment.
Assignment Objectives
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Assist in developing and coordinating conservation strategy for conserving Botswana’s
vultures, with an emphasis on mitigating the threats posed by poisonings.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Volunteer
In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, volunteers complete a work plan in
the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that
may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:
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Support the organisation in lobbying for the regulation of, and usage of “safer” pesticides in the
country
Assist in raising awareness on vulture conservation/ poisoning
Enhance the capacity (training, availing resource materials etc) of stakeholders (police, wildlife
wardens, border agency, magistrates, BirdLife staff and collaborators etc) through whom the
impacts of poisoning could be minimised
Mobilise and support a countrywide vulture monitoring network.
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Assignment Information
Director
Hours & Days of Employment
From 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5-day week to a maximum of 40
hours per week.
Leave Entitlements
Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays. However, as a
minimum, volunteers will accrue 1 week of leave for each 3 months of work.
Other Conditions
The BirdLife offices are based in Gaborone, where the volunteer will spend at least 90% and 10%
travel to Kasane (or internationally). Kasane is 930 KMs from Gaborone
Language Skills and Level Required
English is commonly used at the work place. Setswana would be the recommended language to learn
for communicating with colleagues and the wider community.
Language Support
Volunteers are able to access funding for language lessons after they have completed their in country
orientation program.
Living as a Volunteer
The organisation is located in Kgale, Gaborone.
Gaborone is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 231,626. The city is situated
between Kgale and Oodi Hills, on the Notwane River in the south-eastern corner of Botswana, and 15
km from the South African border. The city is served by the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
Public transport in the city is generally reliable; Kombis (small vans) and taxis ply the routes within the
city while buses serve surrounding villages and other towns in Botswana. Good second hand cars can
be easily accessed and would range between AUD 4,000 to AUD 7,000.
The health system consists of public, private for-profit, and private non-profit. The public sector
dominates the health system, operating 98% of the health facilities.
There is a sizeable International NGO community and volunteers can be as involved in the expatriate
community as they would like to be.
Many languages are spoken, including English but Setswana (Tswana) is the main language used
throughout Botswana.
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The volunteer will need to buy a mobile 3G card and independently subscribe to an internet provider to
use at their area of residence. There are a number of mobile and internet providers that offer high
speed, high quality, low cost and easy to use Internet connection.
Allowances & Support
These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed periodically
and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.
Living Allowance
Accommodation Allowance
AUD 1400.00 per month
AUD 900.00 per month
NB: Of the above allowance, the HO will
contribute BWP1, 000/Month.
Housing
The area is highly urbanised and Property such as town houses, cottages, and apartments are
available for rent in the local vicinity Kgale where BirdLife Botswana is located.
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
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Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne
In-country Orientation on arrival
Pre-departure vaccination expenses
Visa expenses
Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance
Return airfare to country of assignment
Psychological and medical advice and support services
Re-entry support services
Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
Preparing Your Application
Personal Circumstances Constraints
We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to
security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location.
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Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants as part of the AVID program may face
issues in applying for and being issued with a visa
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Applicants with criminal convictions
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Selection Criteria
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed Response to Selection Criteria:
a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page)
b. What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page)
c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant
experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience
section of the Assignment Description.
To find out more details about preparing your application, please visit:
http://www.australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/application-process/
To find out more details about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer, please visit:
http://australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/have-you-got-what-it-takes/
Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience
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Relevant tertiary, professional or technical qualifications and/or certification
Demonstrated knowledge of conservation issues and threatened vertebrate species
Administrative abilities and organisational skills
Desirable Skills & Experience
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Understanding of toxicology, agro-pesticides, crime scene procedure, criminal investigations
Experience in lobbying or awareness raising on conservation issues
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online. If you haven’t already done so, you will need to register on
our website prior to applying.
Once completed, please visit www.australianvolunteers.com, log in, select the assignment you are
interested in and follow the prompts at the end of the page.
This assignment is part of the Australian Volunteers for International Development program,
an Australian Government initiative. www.australianaidvolunteers.gov.au/
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