We offer opportunities in three categories: Jobs • Unpaid internships • Volunteering. See also the list of other ways of getting involved, wherever you are.

Climate Stewards is looking for new trustees – interested? For more info, visit http://www.climatestewards.net/climate-stewards-is-looking-for-new-trustees/

Volunteering opportunities

See below for how to apply.

Opportunities with our National Organizations

A Rocha is currently seeking volunteers for its work in the following countries:

Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Kenya, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, UK, USA

Bulgaria

A Rocha Bulgaria is in the early days of project development – the committee all live in and around Sofia.

They would welcome an accomplished birdwatcher or ornithologist with survey skills, individuals with experience building collaboration with community groups or student groups, and those with an environmental education background.

Canada

A Rocha Canada operates two Field Study Centres. Our British Columbia Field Study Centre in South Surrey has recently relocated to Brooksdale Farm, a 38-acre heritage estate located on the Little Campbell River. It is roughly 3 kilometres from its estuary on Semiahmoo Bay, which forms part of the Boundary Bay Important Bird Area. The property is a 40-minute drive from Vancouver International Airport.

Applications are welcomed for approximately 3 months or more (or 1 term). Start dates of volunteer internships are the beginning of September, January and May. We have a variety of ongoing conservation, bio-inventory, sustainable agriculture, and education projects. We welcome people with particular skills in these three program areas, as well as “generalists” who would like to help out with cooking, carpentry and maintenance.

The Centre in Southern Manitoba is a 100-acre property located in the Pembina Valley, 30 minutes outside of Morden and Winkler. A month-long Raptor survey is held every spring and volunteers with bird monitoring experience are encouraged to participate. The Centre is busiest in the summer months when a variety of conservation, education and arts programs are held. Both those with interests in these fields and also those with more general interests and skills are encouraged to apply.

Room and board costs are $30 CAN/day or $600 CAN/month for individuals staying for three months or more (subject to change).

For specific opportunities, please see A Rocha Canada’s Volunteers at A Rocha page.

Czech Republic

Each spring/early summer volunteers are needed to help with monitoring / ringing endangered birds under the Natura 2000 - European Birds Directive for Special Protected Areas (SPA's). At least one person per week needs to be a licensed bird ringer - the work will be mainly with Corncrake and Redbacked Shrike and will be in the Eagle Mountains, E. Bohemia.

Volunteers able to help with building work and renovation of the centre are very welcome during the summer and autumn period.

France

Les Tourades

Les Tourades is A Rocha France’s field study centre in the Vallée des Baux, Provence. The centre is 6 km east of Arles, and within easy reach by car of the well-known Camargue wetlands, la Crau steppe and les Alpilles limestone hills. We work closely with local landowners, particularly in the Vallée des Baux, where the land-use comprises olive groves, vineyards, grazing for herd animals, and other agriculture. The valley includes canals and natural wetlands, Holm Oak and pine forest, and the garrigue ecosystem.

Volunteers are welcomed for stays of at least two weeks, to help with a wide variety of practical tasks ranging from centre operations and maintenance, gardening, cooking, office work (IT, grant-writing, clerical tasks, data entry) to wildlife and habitat surveys. Volunteers live in comfortable conditions in shared dormitories, and pay about 130 euros for a week’s full board (subject to change).

Those who participate in our scientific program need to be physically fit and able to cycle 10-30 km to reach the study sites. Ability in French, while not essential, is an asset. Because the community at Les Tourades is an international one, we do not offer a French-language immersion experience.

Each year, A Rocha France welcomes volunteers from abroad as part of the European Voluntary Service scheme. If you live in the EU, Iceland, Switzerland or Norway, and if you are under thirty years of age (ideally between 18 and 25) you could apply to be an EVS volunteer. Volunteers receive free flights to and from their country of origin (within the EU), free board and lodging, free language classes and other training and pocket money. This option involves a commitment to stay 6 to 12 months and typically needs to be planned 6 months or more in advance due to the length of processing applications by the European Union.

Long-term volunteer positions at Les Tourades include:

• scientific assistant
• environmental education assistant (with skills in: education, small group leadership, graphic design and drawing, and a handle on the French language)
• communications assistant (with skills in writing, storytelling, print and web design)
• gardening and house help (with agricultural and organisational skills).

These team members may live on or off-site, and join the team for 6 -12 months or more. They must be financially self- supporting, and A Rocha France is available to help volunteers raise support from their local communities.

Les Courmettes

Le Domaine des Courmettes is A Rocha France’s second site, an hour’s drive up into the hills northwest of Nice. It offers 600 ha of preserved wildlife in a variety of natural habitats and a breathtaking view of the French Riviera. The Domain is open to the public, with several hiking trails.

This is a pioneering experience, with a small on-site team and volunteering needs in many areas: building, painting, roofing, insulating, administrating, welcoming visitors and hikers (including Scout groups in the summer), nature surveying, path-making, marketing, hosting commercial events such as weddings, church gatherings and company seminars, and so much more. Les Courmettes is a stunningly beautiful site which holds huge potential for touching hearts and lives and helping visitors connect with the losses generated by climate change and the joys of living healthily. Come and be a part of it as an individual or even better, as a group!

A Rocha also hopes to develop various environmental education tools in the near future, as well as eco-tourism in the years to come.

Volunteers at Les Courmettes are welcomed for for stays of at least two weeks. Living conditions are a little rougher than at Les Tourades, especially during the winter months, and city dwellers might feel somewhat isolated over longer stays. Count on about 130 euros for a week’s full board.

Those who participate in outdoors work need to be physically fit and able to hike around the Domain. Ability in French, while not essential, is an asset. Because the community at Les Courmettes is an international one, we do not offer a French-language immersion experience.

Long-term volunteer positions at Les Courmettes include:

• logistics assistant for events management and welcoming visitors (with organisational and people skills)
• building maintenance coordinator (with a variety of construction and home improvement skills)
• land management assistant (with skills in environmental management)
• renewable energy project manager (for implementation on site and to offer feasibility studies for churches and parachurch structures)
• environmental education assistant (with skills in education, small group leadership, graphic design and drawing)
• gardening and house help (with agriculture and organisational skills).

These team members may live on or off-site; they would join the team for 6–12 months or more. They must be financially self-supporting, and A Rocha France is available to help volunteers raise support from their local communities.

Kenya

The Kenyan team welcomes one or two general volunteers at a time. It is also looking for specific volunteers in the following areas:

• ‘handyman’ or DIY skills, including carpentry, cement work, electrical installation and vehicle mechanics
• Artist – sketching wildlife and illustrating books / environmental education material
• Environmental interpretation board designer for our Ecotourism facility at Gede Ruins
• IT (Information Technology) – both hardware and software; a competent knowledge of networks would be invaluable
• GIS expertise
• A Graphic designer for a range of projects including website to brochures, books and training materials.

Volunteers would usually come for a period of 4-12 weeks, and would be based at the field study centre, Mwamba, on the coast at Watamu.

Costs: approximately $37 US per day for guests and $15 US per day for volunteers, including all three meals.

Marine project

The marine environment in the Western Indian Ocean is exceptionally biodiverse, including habitats such as mangrove forests, beautiful sandy beaches, seagrass beds and coral reefs. They are also exceptionally threatened by coastal development, climate change, and fishing pressure. A Rocha Kenya works in Watamu Marine Park to understand the status and processes impacting marine biodiversity of these habitats.

We seek volunteers who are willing to get immersed in all tasks and work in a cross-cultural situation, recognizing that marine habitats have intrinsic value, and we can bring healing to the ocean and those who depend upon it.

Minimal requirements for marine volunteers:

• Ability to swim long distances
• Ability to use spreadsheet programmes for data entry and analysis
• Are comfortable working in and around boats

Preference will be given to candidates who:

• Have an internationally recognized SCUBA certification
• Have previous experience in tropical marine environments
• Have a degree in a marine science
• Experience analyzing scientific data
• Are from East Africa

In addition to normal volunteer requirements we ask that you:

1. Research Kenyan marine parks and write a one page essay on the following topic: Describe one threat to Kenyan marine parks and discuss possible solutions to that problem.
2. Complete a required reading list prior to arrival in Kenya
3. Supply your own snorkelling gear (mask, fins, and snorkel)

Netherlands

A Rocha Netherlands is growing, and for that reason we are always looking for Dutch volunteers who are willing to take responsibility for a part of the work. Anyone interested in starting a local A Rocha group, for example from out of their church, please contact A Rocha Netherlands. If you are interested to contribute in another way to the work of A Rocha, your suggestion is very welcome as well. Please contact us.

Peru

A Rocha Peru is currently limited in terms of human resource capacity and would greatly appreciate the input of a limited number of skilled, motivated and flexible volunteers.

Volunteers with skills ranging from institutional support (graphic design, communication, fundraising, etc.) to project implementation (project design, science and research, environmental education, community conservation and development) are welcome for short to mid-term appointments.

Accommodation can be arranged with a local host family in Lima (basic living costs of about 500 USD per month). This amount covers room and board and local transportation.

Portugal

Special request for volunteers to help with Paula and Marcial’s PhD research! Skills needed:

• Fieldwork: conducting transects for insects and flowers during the day and at night
• Lab work: removing pollen from insects and flowers and identifying them, as well as some data entry
• Practical participation in Cruzinha daily life
• From May until November
• Costs are the same as for other volunteers

Work here is based at Cruzinha, A Rocha’s bird observatory and field study centre set in the Alvor marshes in the Algarve.

First time volunteers usually stay for 2-6 weeks and all kinds of skills are welcome: DIY (handyman) skills, IT skills, wildlife observation and reporting skills, an ability to cook for large numbers, artistic ability and photography can all be useful. We would also welcome someone with experience of fundraising.

Costs: a maximum of 110.60 euros a week in the summer, towards the cost of administration and meals, with the Centre giving free accommodation, use of the facilities and supervision and occasional trips to the beach and other places. At other times of the year it’s cheaper, so ask for more information.

One or two volunteers are welcomed each year under the EVS scheme: if you live in the EU, Iceland, Switzerland or Norway, and if you are under thirty years of age and are willing to spend six to twelve months working at Cruzinha, you could apply to be the next EVS volunteer. This opportunity would ideally suit a gap year student or graduate looking for conservation experience, though it is open to anyone who fulfils the above criteria. EVS volunteers receive free flights to and from their country of origin (within the EU), free board and lodging, free language classes and about 95 Euros a month.

Singapore

The International Team is looking for local or long-term international volunteers to help with:

• regional coordination for Asia (administration)
• community organisational support for the Singapore community group

South Africa

We need long term volunteers, preferably locally in Pietermaritzburg, to assist our Schools’ Field Worker with running a primary school environment club in local schools. This position is ideal for someone doing an Honours or Masters project in environmental education.

We need a field researcher interested in continuing the work of our baseline botanical survey in the Living Msunduzi Waterways conservancy.

A long-term volunteer office administrator and a short-term volunteer with IT skills is most welcome.

IT Volunteers are needed at the biosphere site in Groot Marico to assist in data compilation, communications and website construction.

Uganda

A Rocha Uganda would appreciate experienced volunteers to bring skills and build the capacity of the team. Accommodation costs are £150 per month, including bed, basic breakfast and lunch. Arrangements for the evening meal would be made at the volunteer’s further expense.

Current needs:

• Communication skills
• Information Technology
• Fundraising skills
• Advocacy skills
• Research skills: habitat and species, ecological experiment design, species identification, GIS, database management, statistical analysis and writing publications.
• Development of research objectives, communication & marketing strategies and support schemes

UK

Please see A Rocha UK’s Vacancies and Volunteer Positions page.

USA

A Rocha USA is establishing a nationwide network of conservation activities. We welcome volunteers at several sites, but are unable to provide housing at this time. Please see our website for the latest opportunities.

We are also glad to connect with people interested in starting a conservation effort in their own communities and with people interested in volunteering to help with various administrative and communication assignments.

How to apply

How you apply depends on whether you volunteer in your own country, or overseas.

A Within your own country

If you live in a country with a National Organization and want to volunteer there (eg if you live in Canada and want to volunteer with A Rocha Canada) contact your National Organization and ask them for an application form.

B Overseas

If you want to volunteer in a country where you are not resident, fill in the on-line application form. This information will help us ensure you have an interesting experience, and that you can make a useful contribution to your chosen project.

The minimum age for overseas applicants is 18.

A Rocha teams do not have the resources to help with visa applications. Please only apply to volunteer in a country if you can obtain the necessary visa without assistance.

Other ways of getting involved

Wherever you are in the world, you can always get involved with A Rocha. Here are a few ways:

Join a local group. There are currently local groups in Canada, Ghana, the Netherlands, New Zealand/Aotearoa, Portugal, the UK and the USA. If there isn’t a group near where you live, you may even start one yourself!

Pray. See our Prayer calendar.

Offset your carbon emissions. Climate Stewards, A Rocha’s global climate change programme, is planting new forests to store carbon. The species of trees are chosen to maximize the benefits for both wildlife and the local people, so that crops improve and degraded land is restored. Visit Climate Stewards.

Donate. Your donation will help us carry out our work in the fields of scientific research, environmental education and community-based conservation. Visit the donations page.

Leave us a legacy. By remembering A Rocha in your will, you can help ensure that your savings continue to work for the care of God's creation. Visit the legacies page.