Ranger Advisor
Munda, Solomon Islands
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assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.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
Ranger Advisor
Host Organisation
SICCP – Solomon Islands Community Conservation Partnership
Duration of Assignment
18 months
Start Date
27th October 2015
Pre-departure Briefing Date
2nd – 4th September 2015
AVI Assignment Code
10533723
Australian Partner
Organisation
Host Organisation Overview
SICCP aims to bridge the gap between conservation investment and the grassroots implementation of
conservation within customary lands by landholding communities, lineages and tribes who would
otherwise have great difficulty in successfully attracting, negotiating and managing international
investments.
A key function of the SICCP Headquarter (HQ) office is to facilitate these links by ensuring good
communications in all directions and at all scales of operation. SICCP also plays an administrative role
for both new and ongoing Community Conservation partners.
What are the main activities of your organisation?

Assist local communities conserve natural resources:
a) Marine
b) Terrestrial

Source funding for community based projects
 Provide technical assistance and other administrative assistance to Community Based
Organisations.
Australian Volunteers International
Page 1 of 6
SICCP works towards its on-the-ground mission through partnering with local implementers at each
project site. The interaction between SICCP and implementers is facilitated by Co-Management Teams
(CMTs), typically comprised of landholder association executive members, local project staff, and a
patron or external advisor. CMTs both interface directly with SICCP HQ and also coordinate the site
level delivery of the functions described for SICCP HQ, above. These specific roles of HQ, CMT and
implementer will vary significantly by context, but the CMT structure is designed to ensure that SICCP
involvement supports and strengthens existing institutions while bringing CCA management principles
to project sites. In many cases, partners at each site will develop a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) that specifies the roles and responsibilities of each party
Currently SICCP has a full-time Director, Conservation Coordinator and Operations Officer based in the
Honiara office. Munda Office has a full-time Marine Conservation Coordinator and Seghe Office a fulltime Field Officer.
Assignment Overview
This is a unique volunteer opportunity to be part of the establishment of the Solomon Islands Ranger
Association.
In the Solomon Islands communities with Community-based Resource Management organisations
appoint village rangers and wardens for monitoring, data collection, tour guiding, patrolling the
conservation boundaries and providing basic security advice. To date the current community sites and
local NGO partners that SICCP have work with have approx. 50 rangers (male & female) but there are
unrecorded numbers of rangers across the country. A rough estimation is 100+ appointed (unpaid) and
employed (employed) rangers in Solomon Islands. These frontline rangers face many diverse
challenges in conservation and practical work on the ground.
In April 2015 SICCP in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) gathered Rangers from
across the Solomons to meet and discusses the establishment of the Solomon Islands Rangers
Association (SIRA). It is anticipated the SIRA will assist the rangers to share their successes and
challenges, increase their skills and connect protected communities each other. Supporting and
developing the association will be significant work and there is a need for an experienced volunteer
ranger to lead this.
This role follows on from a number of AVI roles which have focused on Community conservation and
sustainable livelihoods. It also supports the broad AVI program focus of strengthening the NGO sector.
Assignment Objectives
•
Assist with the establishment of Solomon Islands Ranger Association.
•
Build the capacity of Rangers within the Solomon Islands network
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:
Australian Volunteers International
Page 2 of 6
•
•
•
•
Assist to develop an effective Solomon Islands Ranger Association
Devise a framework to share lessons learnt within Rangers Groups within SICCP's network
and for the wider Solomon Islands.
Identify and Address Capacity Training needs within the SI Ranger network
Support the SI Rangers Association to connect with the International Rangers Network
Assignment Information
Line Manager
SICCP Director
Hours & Days of Employment
From
9am to 5pm, 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
IT access may be limited.
Language Skills and Level Required
Medium Solomon Islands Pijin is beneficial for the workplace
Language Support
AVI provides language support during the in-country orientation period. Most often additional resources
for further development later in the assignment will be available if required.
Living as a Volunteer
In recent years the Solomon Islands has been divided by ethnic tension and violence. In 2003 the
Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) was deployed to help the Solomon
Islands Government restore law and order. The mission, called ‘HelpemFren’ was successful in
restoring security across the country enabling people to go about their lives free from the fear of
violence and intimidation.
Despite recent conflicts, the people of the Solomon Islands are warm and friendly, many living a
lifestyle almost unchanged for hundreds of years. It is a fascinating country with more than 80 different
languages and incredible marine and terrestrial biodiversity. The third largest archipelago in South
Pacific, the Solomon’s comprises 992 islands.
Australian Volunteers International
Page 3 of 6
The influence of Christianity has had a greater impact on society and people than other institutions.
Missionaries managed to curb ancestor worship to some extent but non-Christian beliefs still persist
and coexist with Christian concepts. The churches play a very strong role in communal life, especially
in rural areas. Virtually every village has a church building or leader and prayer or church services are
held once or twice a day, and 95% of the population are professed Christians.
Western Province – Munda
Munda is on the southwest of New Georgia Island in the Western Province. It is the administrative,
educational, tourism and business centre of New Georgia. There is an estimated population of 7,000
people living within the villages and settlements around Munda. The administrative offices and most of
the small guest houses and hotels are near the air terminal at Lambete. The airfield was built by the
Japanese during World War Two and has been upgraded to cater for international flights and aircrafts.
Munda has telecommunication services but they may be limited regularly due to network problems or
coverage. For accommodation, there are guest houses and 2-3 bedroom houses for rent. The United
Church runs a large hospital at Kokenggolo which is known as the Helena Goldie Hospital. There are
other clinics nearby with limited medical equipment in Noro and Viru Habour. An access road goes to a
nearby township, Noro, which has the fish cannery and nearby villages and historical sites. New
Georgia is a popular tourist spot that has small resorts on small islands of Houpeka and Hopei islands
in the Roviana Lagoon and Lola in the Vonavona Lagoon.
Munda has twice weekly markets for fresh produce and regular shuttles by boat to Gizo, where you can
buy a range of basic things.
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
$1100 AUD per month
$900 AUD per month
Housing
Housing will not be provided by the employer.
AVI will assist the volunteer to find suitable accommodation in Munda.
Australian Volunteers International
Page 4 of 6
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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
Whilst we accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to security,
cultural, and legal restrictions in the Solomon Islands they may have trouble getting a visa approved.
•
Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants as part of the AVID program
•
Applicants with partners to whom they are not legally married and who wish to accompany
applicants as part of the AVID program
•
Applicants with criminal offences including recent DUI.
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/
Australian Volunteers International
Page 5 of 6
Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience
•
•
•
•
•
•
Significant experience working as a Ranger or supporting people to manage protected lands
Experience with program development, stewardship, and monitoring
Strong interest in engaging with a diverse group of people in variety of contexts
Excellent written and oral English communication skills, including report writing
Demonstrated ability to complete administrative work to a high standard
Computer proficiency in MS Office, web and e-mail services.
Desirable Skills & Experience
•
Environmental/conservation qualifications
How to Apply
Should you wish to apply for this position please visit www.australianvolunteers.com.
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/
Australian Volunteers International
Page 6 of 6