VOLUNTEER/ VOLUNTEER INTERN ROLE DESCRIPTION
Volunteer Role:
Department:
Location:
ZSL Contact/ Supervisor:
Purpose of Role/ Project:
Volunteer Intern: IUCN SSC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group
Coordinator (okapi)
Conservation Programmes
Regent’s Park, London, UK
Dr Noëlle Kümpel
The okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is an elusive rainforest giraffid endemic to
the tropical forests of central/north-eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC), and was recently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species. ZSL and the Congolese conservation
agency, ICCN, in collaboration with a large number of other partners,
have recently completed a major collaborative project to review the
okapi’s conservation status and develop the first ever conservation
strategy for the okapi.
The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Giraffe and Okapi
Specialist Group (GOSG) is one of over 120 Specialist Groups, Red List
Authorities and Task Forces working towards achieving the SSC’s vision
of “a world that values and conserves present levels of
biodiversity”. Made up of experts from around the world, the group leads
efforts to study giraffe, okapi and the threats they face, and
devises conservation solutions to ensure the long-term survival of the two
species. The GOSG was formerly approved in March 2013, with Drs
Noëlle Kümpel (okapi) and Julian Fennessy (giraffe) appointed as CoChairs, and the Zoological Society of London (okapi) and Giraffe
Conservation Foundation (giraffe) as host organisations for the
respective species.
We are seeking a hard-working, capable and enthusiastic volunteer to
help the okapi Co-Chair to manage the okapi side of the Specialist Group
on behalf of ZSL, as well as provide some support to the GOSG as a
whole and for ZSL’s work on okapi in general.
Main tasks volunteer
will be asked to
undertake:
The volunteer will help to establish and coordinate okapi-related activities
of the IUCN SSC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group (SG). Specific
outputs will be as follows:
1. Management of ZSL component of joint WCS-ZSL elephantokapi SOS grant, including evaluation of okapi survey methods
and capacity building needs;
2. Development and population of new okapi survey database;
3. Development, population of and maintenance of website for
IUCN SSC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group with a view to
going live early in the internship;
4. Final edits, design and publication of okapi conservation strategy
according to IUCN template;
5. Drafting of proposals for ongoing okapi conservation work as
needed to support the okapi conservation strategy;
6. Analysis of threats to protected areas where okapi are found, in
particular DRC’s World Heritage Sites, including those from
industrial and artisanal extractives;
7. Updating of ZSL okapi-related webpages and ZSL Projects
Database as required;
8. Scoping of requirements, materials and costs, fundraising and
liaison with colleagues regarding potential improved okapi exhibit
interpretation at ZSL London Zoo (subject to internal approval
and funding being obtained).
The volunteer will also gain experience in general programme
communications, project management, organising meetings and
preparing reports and funding proposals, as appropriate and agreed.
Anticipated skills and
experience that the
volunteer will bring:
The successful candidate will ideally have:
 Undergraduate and preferably Masters-level degree in biology,
conservation or a related subject;
 Experience with database development, with an ability to pick up new
techniques (e.g. website design) as required, given appropriate
training;
 High standard of written English, communication skills and attention
to detail;
 GIS and French language skills;
 Self-motivation, with the ability to carry out independent
work/research to meet deadlines.
Skills & Experience
Volunteer will gain:
The volunteer will benefit from:
 An understanding of the workings of IUCN, ZSL and other
international conservation organisations
 Contact with experts in the field of okapi research and conservation
 Experience in website development and editing
 Experience in general project management and fundraising
Training Provided:
Training will be provided in-house in basic website design and editing
and general project management, as required.
Resources/ Uniform
Provided:
ZSL will reimburse travel costs within the Greater London area (zones 16) and lunches up to a maximum of £5 per day if working more than three
days per week.
Work Place Conditions:
We are ideally looking for a volunteer who can commit to six months up
to five days per week, starting as soon as possible. This desk-based role
is based within ZSL’s Conservation Programmes department in Regent’s
Park, London so candidates should ideally live within easy daily reach of
ZSL London Zoo. All applicants must be able to show that they have
permission to work in the UK.
Additional Information: