The project offers young people the opportunity to acquire competences in scientific studies of flora, fauna and ecosystems and to put this into practice by implementing projects for managing and protecting the sensitive and threatened wetlands of the Vallée des Baux near Arles. Volunteers will take part in observation, monitoring or censing of species, taking samples and analyzing them, protecting biodiversity of the sites managed by A Rocha by direct actions (tree planting, vegetation cutting, setting up nesting boxes or perches, etc). Specific time (up to 10%) will be devoted to learning French language, 10% of the time will be devoted to communicating about the ESC through different medium (video, stands, articles). 30% of the time will be spent on tasks related to the proper functioning of the Centre A Rocha France: – Welcoming visitors – Maintenance of the domain and its park, various tasks related to Community life.
Send resume and motivation (with two references) to Coline Raillon, Nature Projects manager at Les Courmettes : coline.raillon@test.arocha.org
The volunteers are housed at the study centre, which is also the logistic base for the projects, the head office and the hub for running the life of the team. They share rooms (1 to 2 people of the same sex per room). Lunch and supper are eaten together during the week with the team and any other participants at fixed times. Breakfasts are self-service. The team members take turns at preparing the meals for the group. Special diets are catered for. The centre is no-smoking. Bikes are available for getting around. Rules of life might be adapted due to the COVID situation.
Training will be provided at arrival concerning the rules of life at the center, community life, week planning and project and activity description. Field work training is provided all along the project to the volunteer such as: species identification skills, protocols, use of observation tools and other field equipment. Training in database management, data analysis and report drafting is also provided depending on the volunteer skills at arrival.
We are looking for volunteers who have a real interest in protecting the environment. They will need to enjoy life in the country and the contact with the flora and fauna, which means sometimes putting up with difficult conditions, getting around by bike, the wind, dry heat, etc. The volunteers will have to show that they can take initiatives in the tasks they undertake and take them through to completion. They should not hesitate to ask for clarification or direction if necessary for their projects. A basic knowledge of French is an advantage for the volunteers, but not a necessity.
Starting by the end of February 2023 for a year
Les Courmettes is a natural site of 600ha in a Natura 2000 area. Located nearby Nice, scientific studies and monitorings are implemented along side actions to raise awereness and train people. The European volunteers, under the direction of the nature activities manager, will participate in protecting this rich site by reconciling both nature conservation and welcoming the public. Volunteers will develop competences in environmental education, scientific studies and natural site management.
Send resume and motivation (with two references) to Coline Raillon, Nature Projects manager at Les Courmettes : coline.raillon@test.arocha.org
Volunteers will take part in :
Volunteers are housed at the Courmettes centre, which is also the logistical base for the projects, A Rocha France’s head office and the hub for running the life of the team. Rooms are shared (1 to 2 people of the same sex per room). Lunch and supper, prepared by a cook, are eaten together at fixed times during the week with the team and any other participants. When the cook is absent, team members take turns to prepare meals. Breakfasts are self-service. Vegetarian diets can be offered. Cars are available (with a fee) to get around. The modus vivendi ‘rules of life’ may be adapted due to the COVID situation.
A Rocha Portugal is searching for a couple to run their Centre as Centre Directors. These people play a major role in the organization as the Centres are a hub of life, sometimes with a life in itself, where people from all backgrounds get together to work, rest, study or just experience A ROCHA for a short time. Working and living at the Centre is an opportunity to invite and welcome people to share life, to work hard, to study, to get involved in conservation and to grow together for God.
If the paragraphs from A Place at the Table didn’t put off your enthusiasm to apply then we recommend that you read the detailed Job Description.
Purpose of position
The Centre Director manages the Centre, surrounding grounds and all activities associated with these in close relationship with the Executive Director.
The Centre Director ensures that general Centre maintenance takes place and oversees its management and day-to-day running.
Skills summary
The Centre Director is expected to carry out the following key responsibilities and duties:
Execute or supervise general Centre and equipment maintenance
Person specification
If after reading the Job Description you still think that you are suitable candidates, then do get the following ready:
When you have all these ready you can fill in the Application Form.
Introduction
A Rocha France is a Christian environmental organisation. Created in 2000 in France, it is part of an international network of nature protection associations established in 20 countries on five continents. Convinced that the ecological crisis (climate change, collapse of biodiversity, pollution, etc.) is the major challenge of the 21st century, we are pursuing a dual mission: to preserve living creatures and to mobilise Christians (for a complete presentation of our actions, see our 2020 activity report).
A Rocha manages the Demaine des Courmettes, a 600-hectare private nature reserve on which are located remarkable buildings with a significant capacity for accommodation, and in addition a vegetable garden, a herb garden and hens…
We are recruiting a cook to join the team of permanent staff who work at Les Courmettes to welcome a variety of people who may be: participating in training courses on the Christian faith and/or ecology, trainees, volunteers, etc. Most of the team members live on site in a spirit of community life oriented towards hospitality.
Duration, location and type of contract
Mission and scope
The rhythm of life and work at Les Courmettes is characterised by two very different seasons, and therefore by two relatively different types of tasks for the person in charge of the kitchen:
1. In the high season (April to October, when groups are welcomed):
2. In the low season( November to March):
In parallel to these two very different times in the life of the centre at Courmenttes, the person recruited will have to demonstrate throughout the year an interest in and a reflection on environmentally friendly food, which will be reflected in
Profile and required skills
Information and applications (CV and covering letter) to courmettes@test.arocha.org
Tropical forests across Africa are under relentless pressure – a problem we witness all too frequently in our daily conservation work. Yet we know conservation is about hope: deforestation can be halted and aspirations for sustainable development can be attained. A Rocha Ghana, for example, is leading an impressive international campaign to save the Atewa forest, while A Rocha Kenya is working with communities to preserve the important coastal forests of Kenya.
To date, A Rocha’s forest conservation projects have mainly been locally-focused, working with our partners to conserve a particular forest in a particular landscape. But while grounding ourselves in a landscape and doing locally-relevant conservation will always be core to how we work, we believe we can do more and add greater value if we bring our work, expertise and networks together. In response, we have developed a forest programme which combines the efforts of four projects with five A Rocha organizations to deliver the following framework.
It is to support this delivery that we are seeking an experienced forest programme coordinator (PC), able to live and work in one of the four programme countries: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Uganda.
Download the complete Terms of Reference including more on how to apply.
Le Domaine des Courmettes is A Rocha France’s second site, an hour’s drive up into the hills northwest of Nice. It offers 600 ha of preserved wildlife in a variety of natural habitats and a breathtaking view of the French Riviera. The Domain is open to the public, with several hiking trails.
This is a pioneering experience, with a small on-site team and volunteering needs in many areas: building, painting, roofing, insulating, administrating, welcoming visitors and hikers, nature surveying, path-making, marketing, hosting commercial events, and so on. Les Courmettes holds huge potential for touching hearts and lives and helping visitors connect with the losses generated by climate change and the joys of living healthily. Come and be a part of it as an individual or even better, as a group!
A Rocha also hopes to develop various environmental education tools in the near future, as well as eco-tourism in the years to come.
Volunteers at Les Courmettes are welcomed for stays of at least two weeks. Living conditions are a little rougher than at Les Tourades, especially during the winter months, and city dwellers might feel somewhat isolated over longer stays. Count on about 130 euros for a week’s full board (subject to change).
Those who participate in outdoors work need to be physically fit and able to hike around the Domain. Ability in French, while not essential, is an asset. Because the community at Les Courmettes is an international one, we do not offer a French-language immersion experience
Long-term volunteer positions at Les Courmettes include:
These team members may live on or off-site; they would join the team for six to 12 months or more. They must be financially self-supporting, and A Rocha France is available to help volunteers raise support from their local communities.
To apply, please fill out our volunteer application form.
The project offers young people the opportunity to acquire experience in a project that includes both nature conservation and welcoming the public, a new issue that many natural sites worldwide are currently facing. By being involved in the management of the site of Les Courmettes, a beautiful and naturally rich site near Nice, volunteers will develop competences in environmental education, scientific studies and natural site management.
Volunteers will take part in raising awareness with the public through different media (panels, discussion, educational tools etc.), species and habitat studies (fieldwork, data analysis etc.), maintenance and management actions (trail marking, site defence etc.). Specific time (up to 10%) will be devoted to learning French and communicating about the ESC through different media (10% – video, stands, articles). 30% of the time will be spent on tasks related to the proper functioning of the Les Courmettes centre: welcoming visitors, maintenance of the estate and its park, various tasks related to community life etc.
Volunteers are housed at the Courmettes centre, which is also the logistical base for the projects, A Rocha France’s head office and the hub for running the life of the team. Rooms are shared (1 to 2 people of the same sex per room). Lunch and supper, prepared by a cook, are eaten together at fixed times during the week with the team and any other participants. When the cook is absent, team members take turns to prepare meals. Breakfasts are self-service. Vegetarian diets can be offered. Cars are available (with a fee) to get around. The modus vivendi ‘rules of life’ may be adapted due to the COVID situation.
Training will be provided on arrival concerning the modus vivendi of the centre’s community life and how the week, project and activities will unfold. Field work training is provided for the volunteer throughout project such as: species identification skills, protocols, use of observation tools and other field equipment. Training in welcoming public and environmental education will be provided on arrival.
We are looking for volunteers who have a real interest in raising awareness and protecting the environment. They will need to enjoy rural life, contact with people and flora and fauna, which means sometimes putting up with difficult weather conditions and being ready to welcome visitors at Les Courmettes and talk about the site’s regulations. Volunteers will have to show that they can take initiative in the tasks they undertake and follow them through to completion. They should not hesitate to ask for clarification or direction if necessary for their projects. A basic knowledge of French is an advantage for the volunteers, but not a necessity.
Send resume and motivation (with two references) to:
Coline Raillon, Nature Projects Officer at Les Courmettes
Krupárna, A Rocha Czech Republic’s environmental centre, is in the northeast of the Czech Republic. The centre and its ponds and bird hide enjoys many visitors – children, adults and wildlife. The team actively monitors and rings birds in nearby Special Protected Areas (SPAs) under the Natura 2000 / European Birds Directive.
The team would appreciate volunteers with at least a basic knowledge of ornithology or environmental conservation to help with the monitoring and ringing (in spring and summer) and research in general (at all times). The main monitoring work will be with Corncrake and Red-backed Shrike. Other activities that may be part of the work programme are building nest boxes, DIY, gardening, and general support of the field study centre. Volunteers are expected to be involved in work activities over usual work hours (6-7 hours per day). Speaking Czech is not necessary, but please be prepared that the team operates in Czech and has basic English.
Volunteers usually come for a period of two weeks minimum and are accommodated in single-sex dormitory rooms at Krupárna at the cost of 15 € per day for food and lodging. This opportunity could be a great fit for two friends who wish to volunteer together, as the residential community is small and may not be able to offer full-time support over weekends.
To apply, please fill out our volunteer application form.
One or two volunteers are welcomed each year under the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) scheme: if you live in the EU, Iceland, Switzerland or Norway, are under 30 and are willing to spend six to 12 months working at Cruzinha, you could apply to be the next ESC volunteer.
This opportunity would ideally suit a gap year student or graduate looking for conservation experience, though it is open to anyone who fulfils the above criteria. ESC volunteers receive free flights to and from their country of origin (within the EU), free board and lodging, free language classes and about 100 € a month.
Successful ESC applicants would be based at Cruzinha, our bird observatory and field study centre set in the Alvor marshes in the Algarve. Cruzinha has a capacity to accommodate up to 14 people; volunteers are normally accommodated in male or female dormitories.
Please note that A Rocha Portugal’s participation in ESC depends on an annual application, submitted in October and subject to ESC’s decision early in the following year.
The ESC application process is separate from our general volunteer application process; please contact A Rocha Portugal directly for information at portugal@test.arocha.org.
