Community Outreach Officer

Elephants for Africa (EfA) is a registered NGO in Botswana dedicated to the conservation of the African savannah elephant through research and education. Our research focuses on increasing our understanding of elephant behaviour and on mitigating the conflict they cause with local communities.

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Community Outreach Officer to drive forward our environmental education component of conservation. This role will involve planning and delivery of a wide range of environmental education to a diversity of community groups including primary schools and farmers. The position requires good written and spoken Setswana and English, excellent presentation skills and an academic background with environmental education experience.

Start date: TBC pending permits

Type: Fixed term

Status: Full time

Salary: Starting at P5500

Please Note: This role will be based at the EfA Research Camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, to give you an opportunity to live and work alongside our existing team members. You must be prepared for basic living conditions in the Research Camp, including being accommodated in a tent in an unfenced camp.

Specific duties include:

Developing and expanding our existing environmental education programmes, working closely with the Community Outreach and Education Coordinator and other team members to create novel and effective educational ideas.
Delivering environmental education programmes, including primary school classes, farmer workshops and community-group presentations.
Representing and promoting EfA and our conservation goals at a range of stakeholder meetings.
Learning about and participating in the scientific research conducted by EfA in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park so that you can effectively deliver information about our work to others.
Assisting with general day-to-day living in the Research Camp, which can include camp maintenance, vehicle maintenance and participating in events.

Post requirements:

Bachelor’s degree (preferably in science, environmental studies, or education) OR two years’ experience in working on environmental education initiatives.
Excellent communication skills, in both Setswana and English and confidence in public speaking/presenting to wide range of people, including other researchers, local community groups and school-age children.
A high level of enthusiasm for your work, and an ability to work independently with good self-motivation skills.
Full clean drivers licence held for a minimum of 2 years, competent and confident in vehicle handling. Some off-road driving experience would be advantageous.
Computer literacy to a high level in Microsoft Office, including the ability to write presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint, keep records in Microsoft Excel and create social media posts (e.g. blogs, magazine articles etc).
Ability to work in a small team of people for extended periods of time in the bush, and to cope with basic living conditions in the research camp.

Post offers:

Your food and accommodation (a ~3m x 2.5m safari-style tent) will be provided by Elephants for Africa during your time-based in the field camp.
All costs associated with delivering education will also be covered by the organisation, which will include equipment necessary to fulfil the role.
When appropriate opportunities to develop skills and experience arise (e.g., conferences, workshops etc), EfA will endeavour to support your attendance.
A work smartphone and P100 airtime (monthly) will be provided.

Please send your CV and a covering letter specifically outlining why you want to become a member of the EfA team and what you think you can offer to: walona ‘at’ elephantsforafrica.org. The closing date for applications is the 3^rd September 2021, applications received after this date will not be considered. Interviews will be held in the two weeks after applications the deadline, with an expected start date to be confirmed pending permits.

For any further questions or comments, please contact: Mr. Walona Sehularo (Community Outreach and Education Coordinator) for more information on 7692 7858 or walona ‘ at’ elephantsforafrica.org.