Call for applications: Volunteer Positions
Organization: Ecological Balance Cameroon
Category: Non-Profit Organization
Location/City: Buea, South West Cameroon
Background
Ecological Balance Cameroon is a community-based biodiversity conservation and sustainable development non-profit organization dedicated to balancing conservation with livelihoods. It was registered in December 2016 with mission to empower communities that live near biodiversity rich ecosystems to undertake actions that would ensure the sustainability of their adjacent ecosystem. These stemmed down from the belief that ecosystem conservation can be most sustainable if it is led by people living close to and depending on it and more so when it contributes to their livelihoods.
We are currently seeking committed and reliable individuals, who are willing to contribute to our vision and mission for a 3-months renewable period.
- Project Assistant
Our Project Irvingia is developing value chains for non-wood forest products in Cameroon. The aim of which is to help forest dependent communities to earn more money from non-wood forest products, so that they have reasons to protect their adjacent forests. Basically, we train women/youths to add value to and/or process natural products to semi-finished and finished goods.
Within this context we seek the services of a project assistant.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Produce action plans presentations and reports on value chain development activities
- Organize trainings on adding value to/ processing to natural products
- Develop ideas and support fundraising efforts
- Assist in proposal writing and production of research write-ups
- contribute to strategies for product development, propose innovations in project implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Assist in other activities etc.
Required Qualification
Young, energetic and motivated individual with conspicuous leadership skills and certificate(s) in Business Administration, Economics, Accounting and related field. Skills in commodity value chain development, product packaging, marketing strategies and projections are essential. Experience in project planning and management, resource mobilization & management, business models and business administration will be an added advantage.
- Agricultural technician
Our Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Programme requires the services of an agric technician. CSA is an integrated approach to managing landscapes (cropland, livestock, forests and fisheries) that address the interlinked challenges of food security and climate change. The goal (dilemma) being to produce enough food without significantly harming the environment (soil, forests etc).
Within this context, the agricultural technician is expected to bring on board skills in modern agricultural practices and technology.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Support in the day to day management of food banks and demonstration farms
- Put forth strategies for expansion of existing projects and creation of more innovative one (irrigation systems, clean energy farming etc)
- Support the development of training schemes in farm optimization, forest gardening, apiculture, mushroom cultivation, grafting, marcoting, tissue culture, plant multiplication
- Equipment operation (Drone, tractor)
- Agric management software/apps
- Develop ideas and support fundraising efforts
- Assist in other activities etc.
Required Qualification
Young, energetic and motivated individual with conspicuous leadership skills and certificate(s) in Agriculture, Plant Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Crop Production/Protection and related field. Skills in entrepreneurship, commodity value chain development, product packaging, marketing strategies and projections would come in handy. Experience in project planning and management, resource mobilization and management will be an added advantage. Knowledge in business models, business administration and management would be a plus.
- Media & Communications Assistant
In order to properly communicate our activities, we seek the services of a Media & Communications Assistant to help us manage all communications.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Develop a Conservation Education curriculum
- Carryout environmental education in schools & communities
- Assist in organizing and managing conservation awareness events
- Produce plans, presentations and reports on biodiversity conservation activities
- S/he should be familiar with and possess skills in the management of all known online platforms; facebook, instagram, twitter.
- S/he is expected to produce online adverts, upload at least one post each week on all platforms, direct live coverage and coordinate everything that can help improve our online presence.
- S/he will work with our team on the field to produce short documentaries, brochures etc.
- Respond to comments and do all necessary to increase traffic on our media platforms.
- S/he will direct picture & video coverage, edit videos, produce documentaries, podcasts etc.
- Develop social media & website content and assist in promoting and publicizing activities
- Produce and/or proofread reports
- Oversea writing of news articles, assist in the reviewing of articles, assist in the publication of e-newsletters
- Develop ideas and support fundraising efforts and assist in reforestation activities etc.
Required Qualification
Certificate in Journalism and Mass Communication, media studies and any related specialization or currently embarking on studies in any of these domains. Skills in graphic design and multimedia would come handy.
General Required Competences
- Passion and interest in mission and objectives of Ecological Balance
- Good team spirit and communication skills
- Ability to speak and write good English, knowledge of French will be an advantage
- Ability to work and interact with people of different backgrounds
- Ability to multi task and work under pressure
- Willingness to adhere to Ecological Balance’s core values
Benefits
- A valuable opportunity to learn and gain the much needed experience required in the job market for your area of specialization
- Brings you in touch with other like-minded individuals in career for more meaningful networking
- Fulfillment and happiness for making a real and valuable impact on nature, communities and the society
- Possibility of being employed after the stated period
- Attestation of service and/or recommendation for greater opportunities
How to Apply
Interested and qualified applicants should submit the complete application files comprising; a motivation letter, copies of certificates and a CV to: limbitatab@ecobalances.org latest December 31st 2021.
Limbi Blessing T.
Executive Director