START DATE: February 15, 2012
FUNDING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Must be Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Fluent English & Spanish level 2-3 (to self-assess your level of English or Spanish)
http://www.cusointernational.org/sites/default/files/language_en_tcm77-20632.pdf
or Fluent French & Spanish level 3-4 (to self-assess your level of French)
http://www.cusointernational.org/sites/default/language_fr_tcm84-22444.pdf
ABOUT CUSO INTERNATIONAL
Cuso International is a non-profit development agency that works through volunteers. Each year, we send hundreds of global citizens to work on collaborative development projects in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We are one of North America’s leading international development organizations that works through volunteers.
ABOUT THE PARTNER ORGANIZATION
Fundacion Amigos de la Naturaleza (FAN) is a non-profit with 22 years of experience in promoting environmental conservation and biodiversity in Bolivia. The organization’s thematic areas include; management of protected areas, municipal environmental management, sustainable development through the trade of products of native biodiversity (Biotrade), mitigation of climate change, conservation planning and awareness-raising. With a highly trained technical and scientific staff, FAN has consistently supported the management of several national, departmental and municipal protected areas and are recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in climate change adaptation and in the protection of biodiversity.
THE VOLUNTEER’S ROLE
Overall placement purpose and specific volunteer placement objectives:
• To strengthen and expand the scope of the technical and scientific work of the Adaptation to Climate Change Unit (ACCU), through the development of spatial analysis data on the vulnerability to climate change, in compliance with institutional strategic objectives.
• To develop and maintain an updated and integrated database of the information generated by the ACCU with respect to climate change scenarios, detected historical trends, impact studies on biodiversity, water resources and productive systems in Bolivia.
• To perform spatial analysis of vulnerability to climate change at a national level and within prioritized systems.
Specific Objectives:
• Compile and maintain updated databases with information produced by FAN.
• Provide support in the development of studies on vulnerability to climate change, through the development of spatial analysis under different scenarios.
• Provide support in the work of gathering information in the field, such as the identification and geo-referencing of interest areas for studies in the adaptation to climate change as it relates to water resources and food security.
• Support the projects in the Adaptation Unit through the preparation of thematic maps and treatment of information in GIS.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential requirements
• University degree and minimum 2 years of work experience in Geography, Geo-informatics, Earth Sciences or relevant field.
• Solid knowledge of GIS (ArcGIS).
• Thematic knowledge on climate change, climate modeling and vulnerability index.
• Knowledge of Geo-statistics.
Desirable
• High level of fluency in Spanish (Level 5)
• Work experience on Climate Change projects
TRAINING AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our training and support package covers the costs of being an overseas volunteer, allowing you to enjoy a modest but healthy lifestyle while you volunteer abroad. This includes:
• Attendance at a Cuso International assessment day (candidates must cover the first $150 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and accommodation costs).
• Travel and accommodation costs associated with pre-departure training.
• Return airfare and visa/permit (this includes a return flight in the case of a family emergency).
• Coverage for required vaccinations, medications and comprehensive health insurance.
• Accommodation while overseas.
• A modest living allowance, which varies depending on the country where you are placed
• Quarterly payments to support you in your placement
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please apply online, quoting referral code BOL0005/0002/0001 and the name of the placement.
http://www.cusointernational.org/volunteer
