Ecotourism Volunteer Southern Rift Valley, Ethiopia

Ecotourism Volunteer Southern Rift Valley, Ethiopia

The USAID funded Ethiopian Sustainable Tourism Alliance is seeking a volunteer for a six-month contract in the Southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia. The project is in the process of launching three tourism products in the Konso area of the Ethiopia Southern Rift Valley including a craft shop & demonstration area, tree planting experience and a cultural dance performance.

The volunteer will provide support to the community tourism guides, managers, artisans and local NGO partners in the Konso. A key aspect of the volunteer position will be to work with the enterprise staff to ensure that they are able to deliver a high quality tour to visitors. Related to this will be English language training for the guides and managers, as this is a very important skill that will enable them to better serve the tourists. While these are the two principal components of the position, the volunteer will be expected to assist in other aspects of the project that are critical to the advancement of community tourism and conservation in Konso. The overall objective is to help provide employment and business opportunities for rural communities.  

The Volunteer’s principal responsibilities are as follows:

• Work with guides, managers and other relevant tourism staff to improve their products and ability to provide high quality tourism experiences through formal and informal training and capacity building (resources will be provided by ESTA)
• Mentor the handcraft shop manager on sourcing appropriate inventory and managing the store
• Help coordinate the proposed Travelers Philanthropy program with ESTA local NGO partner Konso Development Association
• Work with Konso area tour guides to finalize, practice and refine tour scripts
• Review, modify and further develop current English language course curriculum
• Provide regular, on-going English language courses to the guides, managers and other relevant persons in a practical manner that allows them to be more effective in their roles
• Assist ESTA on other activities that may emerge and that are aimed at developing community tourism in Konso
• Assist ESTA’s conservation component with any community development initiatives for which they may need support in Konso
• Provide any needed technical support to ESTA’s Southern Rift Valley Ecotourism Project Officer and Site Coordinator
• Work with ESTA staff on logistical and other aspects of fieldwork
• Provide monthly progress reports to ESTA
• Submit final report to ESTA upon completion of service
• Provide detailed expense reports and receipts for use of funds provided by ESTA

Requirements

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in tourism, conservation, development or related field
• Some practical experience working within the tourism/hospitality field
• Fluent English Speaker
• Experience living abroad (ideally in a developing world country)
• Willing to live and work in a remote area of Ethiopia
• Eager to learn and share knowledge
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Self-motivated, able to follow directions and work independently

Compensation  

The volunteer will receive a monthly allowance for housing, meals and incidentals that is in line with the cost of living in Konso. The project will also cover the cost of all work-related travel expenses in country using safe, low-cost transportation whenever possible. The volunteer will be responsible for covering the cost of their airfare to Ethiopia. 

Application Procedures

Please send a cover letter and CV to applytoesta@gmail.com by October 15, 2012.