BirdLife International has recently launched a Local Empowerment Programme (LEP) to provide more effective support for Local Conservation Groups (Site Support Groups), and to strengthen and expand networks of local organisations. The Local Empowerment Programme will also help communicate this work more effectively to donors and decision-makers, to increase its impact, and leverage more resources for this essential aspect of BirdLife’s activities. It is recognised throughout BirdLife that working with people locally is critical to effective, sustainable, equitable conservation. One of the BirdLife Partnership’s most distinctive approaches has been to support the emergence and strengthening of networks of individuals and organisations at the site or community level, who share BirdLife’s objectives, and are committed to site or species conservation.
The vision of the programme is that “Local organisations at critical sites for biodiversity are empowered to effectively conserve, manage and defend their sites, so that biodiversity values and benefits are provided locally, nationally and globally in the long term”. The LEP aims to achieve this by expanding the coverage of Local Conservation Groups (LCGs) and local engagement generally; building capacity; linking groups and individuals for effective sharing of experience and knowledge; promoting rights for local people to conserve and manage resources sustainably; and by generating resources for local group development, networking and action.
Purpose of the Internship: To support the strong growth of the Local Empowerment Programme within the Africa region.
The intern will undertake activities selected from the list below, as agreed in advance with the BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat:
- Identification of National LCG Focal Points in at least 5 countries: Collaborate with at least 5 BirdLife Africa Partners to identify a National LCG Focal point in each of the participating countries
- Identification of at least 5 new LCGs: in consultation with the BirdLife Africa Partners, identify and promote at least 5 new LCGs
- Development of strategic and management plans for the LCGs: assist at least 5 LCGs to develop sound strategic and management plans
- Conduct a research on incentive mechanisms in at least 5 BirdLife Africa Partner countries. The research will focus on "which incentive mechanisms in the broadest sense of the word, including cultural and traditional value systems, education, legal mechanisms, and economic incentives, have proven to be most effective in supporting successful community-driven conservation and restoration initiatives" within the BirdLife Africa Partnership.
- Engaging in advocacy initiatives at the local level: assist the LCGs to actively participate in the World Environment Days, World Migratory Birds Days, etc.
- Building capacity of the LCGs: participate in at least 2 training workshops to build the capacity of LCGs
- Facilitate exchange visits between at least 2 LCGs: linking groups and individuals for effective sharing of experience and knowledge by facilitating at least 1 exchange visit between 2 LCGs
- Fundraising: Develop at least 1 funding proposal to contribute to a strong Local Empowerment Programme in Africa
- Develop communication materials: Produce an article on ‘promoting rights for local people to conserve and manage resources sustainably’ and compile at least 5 articles profiling the work of the LCGs in Africa which will be published on the BirdLife community website and in the BirdLife Africa Newsletter.
Key advantages of this internship:
- It provides the beneficiary with an opportunity to interact and learn from qualified and experienced professionals within the BirdLife Partnership, and to network with like- minded organizations who share the same ideals through participation in national, regional and international forums especially those with a focus on indigenous and local communities.
- It will not only help to broaden the horizon of the intern but is also meant to instill the confidence, skills and sense of purpose they need to thrive academically, professionally and civically.
- The internship offers the opportunity to be part of important conservation and development issues, by sharing and experiencing the numerous challenges African communities face, and to immerse oneself in the culture and lives of the local people.
- The internship offers an opportunity to combine some elements of internship and volunteer projects with any of the Local Conservation Groups within the hosting BirdLife Africa Partner.
Specific Requirements
- Applicants should be under 35 years of age, and have less than 10 years of experience working in a conservation organisation. The applicants should be residing in any of the countries that are part of the BirdLife Africa Partnership. Applicants should also be currently affiliated to or employed by any of the conservation NGOs that are part of the BirdLife Africa Partnership.
- The organisation and the individual should have positive energy towards this area of work. Benefits must be mutual, in that both the intern and organization should have clear objectives for the internship.
- The applicant should share BirdLife’s objectives, and be committed to site or species conservation and in working with people.
- She agrees to return to their organisation/country of origin to apply the skills learned, after the internship.
- The applicants should have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Social or Environmental Sciences from an international recognized and reputable university
- Requirements detailed in the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) ‘Internship Guidelines’ should also be met
Interested applicants should submit a CV (maximum 3 pages) and a letter of motivation to:
Edith.Onyango-Hongo@birdlife.org by Monday the 17th of February 2012.
Please kindly note this internship is subject to approval of the application by CLP and availability of funds
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