INTERNSHIP

INTERNSHIP
to support the development of a web-based
Botanic Garden Development and Management Manual

Organisation: Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)
Location: BGCI Descanso House, 199 Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3BW
Hours: Minimum of 2 days per week (flexible)
Duration: Minimum of 3 months
Start date: 1 July 2013
Reimbursements: £ 25 per day

Description
Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is an international conservation charity that exists to ensure the worldwide conservation of threatened plants, the continued existence of which is intrinsically linked to global issues including poverty, human well-being and climate change.  BGCI has over 700 members and associates mostly botanic gardens, arboreta and plant conservation organisations in 118 countries.

BGCI is looking for an Intern with an interest in plant conservation/botanic garden development, and expertise in designing/editing websites, to assist in the establishment of a revised, online edition of the Darwin Technical Manual for Botanic Gardens (DTMBG). First published in 1998, the DTMBG is a concise technical handbook for the management of botanic gardens, to raise the scientific, conservation and educational value of the living plant collection in botanic gardens worldwide.  Available in numerous languages including English, French and Spanish, this handbook has proved to be a highly valued tool for both, established and developing living plant collections.

We are now in the process of developing a second edition with a web-based resource. This is an exciting time to become involved in the planning and development stages of this project, and bring to bear your knowledge of web-based applications to establish a user friendly, searchable internet resource that reflects contemporary botanic garden development needs.

Duties will include

• Familiarise and understand background and development plans for the revised DTMBG;
• Assist in editing/designing a new, web-based draft structure;
• Support the collation of related resources, including bibliography and contact details:
• Help with data management, including administration of contributions from external authors and editors.

Other duties

• Assist in the periodical update of related BGCI projects in other sections on BGCI’s website.

Skills and experience required

This role would suit a person with a conservation, botanical and/or botanic garden management background, and skills in web development.

• Experience in designing web sites preferably for charities or conservation organisations;
• Effective communication to articulate technical information clearly and precisely;
• Attention to detail and proof reading skills;
• Understanding of botanic gardens and living plant collections would be an advantage, an interest in the environment and conservation is essential;
• Understanding the user community, and technical constraints;
• Creativity and imagination.

This role would suit someone wishing to gain experience in an international conservation organisation and enhance their portfolio. It would suite a recent graduate, someone returning to work or someone wanting to change career but possessing the needed skills and expertise.
Caveat: As this is an ongoing project, time commitment can be arranged on a weekly basis in consultation with the project coordinator. However, this internship requires working from the offices of BGCI and cannot be carried out remotely.

Apply by sending a covering letter and a CV to catherine.thums@bgci.org by 16 June 2013.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by 20 June 2013.
Interviews will be held at BGCI on 25 June 2013.
To find out more about the BGCI visit our website at www.bgci.org.