We are looking for a passionate and engaging volunteer coordinator at the Vervet Monkey Foundation
The
Vervet Monkey Foundation is a sanctuary dedicated to rescuing orphaned,
injured and abandoned vervet monkeys. We have 15 large onsite troops
with a total of over 600 vervets (and 6 samango monkeys).
For our voluntary team, we are looking for a volunteer coordinator, who loves to inspire.
Responsibilities:
- Welcoming of all new volunteers
- Volunteer village orientations on arrival
- Main orientation the following morning
- Keep volunteer newsletter list up to date
- Liaise with travelbuggz for arrivals & put departures
- Organise upcoming birthdays
- Introduce volunteers to some duties & update Volunteer guide, Volunteer pack, etc.
- Responsible for overseeing the village and cottage and volunteer areas such as bathrooms and showers. Update village map.
- Coordinate volunteer, intern & staff cabins, inventories and facilities maintenance
- Creating & co-ordinating the daily schedule.
- Create and hand out volunteering certificates, feedback forms, how you can help list and ask if they wish to do a video or written testimonial or review on social media or trip advisor.
- Keeping a shopping list (grocery shopping is twice a week)
- Liaising with the kitchen staff (numbers and dietary requirements)
- Organising vegan shop orders for volunteers
- Liaising with volunteers – first point of contact if any questions
- Coordinating the volunteer whasapp chat
- Coordinating care and cover when volunteers are sick
- Collecting volunteers from the bus stop (if driving license)
- Taking volunteers out on half days at the weekend in the local area (if driving license)
- Coordinate Kruger Trips with Sandy and advertise and evening events & social activities
- Coordinate with Dave any volunteer related car usage
- Oversee gift shop stock
- Social media updates at least once a week regarding volunteers
- Host volunteer meetings on Wednesday evenings
- Attend staff meetings and participate where necessary.
- Keep volunteers & interns informed of any ways they can help
- Oversee all aspects that relate to ensuring the volunteers have an amazing experience.
- Opportunity to organise positive vegan outreach events
- Updating Noticeboard
-
Being involved with all areas if needed such as monitoring of monkeys,
helping in baby season, sickbay, maintenance and general monkey
handling, maintenance of centre or fruit collecting. (Only if other
Volunteer Co-ordinator jobs are completed)
Attributes required for the position:
- Excellent organization & communication skills
- Reliable, flexible, patient and responsible
- Approachable, friendly, welcoming attitude
- Coordinating skills
- Basic computer skills – word and excel
- Manual driving license (preferred)
- Able to speak to volunteers in groups between 1-40
- Work on own initiative
- Able to work under pressure
- Perform all tasks in the best interest of the foundation, monkeys and the volunteers.
- Certificate in First Aid (not essential)
- Strong interest in wildlife conservation
- Able to work in a hot climate at times
- Able to work as a team leader with people of different personalities and backgrounds
- Able to live and volunteer in the same community of people with changeable dynamics
- Positivity & enthusiasm, encouragement & support as a host
Qualifications / Experience:
- Min 4 GCSE’s with further education or equivalent
- Experience in supervising / co-ordinating / hosting people (preferred but not essential)
- Previous volunteer experience / experience with animals
- Min of 2 years in the working environment
Accommodation provided & living conditions:
- Basic accommodation includes - staying in an individual wooden cabin which includes a few items of furniture, 1 small table, 1 pillow, 1 mattress, bedding, wardrobe / drawers, fan, solar powered electricity to charge phones / laptop, lights.
- Electricity is also provided at the main cottage to recharge items such as cell phones etc.
- Eco-toilets and bush showers with hot and cold water
- Main meals are eaten at the cottage & are all vegan. We ask you to embrace a vegan diet whilst on site.
- Cottage area comprises of – kitchen area with fridge, dining tables, wifi, electricity. Patio area and Games room.
- Climate is tropical being hot and humid in the rainy season, summer Nov – Feb and dry and
- cooler in winter May – October.
- Tzaneen is not a malaria area but Kruger park and other local attractions are, prophylactics
- can be used and obtained via the doctor in Tzaneen if necessary
- Tzaneen town is 25km from the centre with a shopping mall.
- Approx situated 1 hour from Kruger National Park
- The foundation is 25 hectares in size with over 650 vervet monkeys.
- Working partly outdoors, supervising and introducing volunteers to some areas involves walking up a slight hill. Applicants must be physically fit.
- Communication via mobile phone (Whatsapp)
Holiday:
You are entitled to one and a half days off per week and 21 days holiday per year to go
touring at quiet times and providing we have enough cover. The number of days will
increase by one per year until you reach max of 25 days per year.
Public holidays – half day or if needed to work, can take a half day in lieu that same week.
Additional benefits:
- Stipend will be provided from the end of 3 months R3000 (South African Rand) a month for those who commit to a min of 18 months
- 10% off in gift shop
- Free VMF t-shirt after 3 months
- Certificate at end of committed stay
- Opportunity to give public guided tours and receive 50% of the entry fee
- No petrol fee for weekend outings
- Data package on MTN provided
- Free laundry access provided