| Employer | Roots Interns | Ground Hornbill Project |
|---|---|
| Location | Bela-Bela, South Africa | Remote |
| Type | Internship |
| Apply by | Deadline not specified—Apply ASAP! |
| More details | https://www.rootsinterns.com/tour/marketing-communications-internship-in-wildlife-conservation/ |
| Posted on | February 27, 2025 |
Description
If you’re looking to gain broad experience in the nonprofit sector, and you’re passionate about wildlife conservation, this internship could be a perfect fit for you. It’s an opportunity to help with the development and sustainability of The Ground Hornbill Project, an important initiative that works to protect this iconic African bird from extinction.
As an intern, you’ll take an active role in spreading the word to an international audience. This can involve managing and developing social media channels, drafting newsletters and reports, and writing articles for various publications. If you choose to do an in-person internship, you will also play a role in gathering the right content in the field, in the form of stories, data, and images, and videos.
If you choose to travel, you’ll have the good fortune of being based in a stunning game reserve. Not only will you experience the ground hornbill projects in the field, you’ll also be surrounded by other African wildlife, including the Big Five. This wildlife conservation communications internship offers a perfect mix of adventure, impact, and practical work experience.
Learning Outcomes:
• A wealth of practical experience in content gathering, writing for a variety of platforms, managing social media channels, and communications strategy
• Extensive experience in fundraising, stakeholder management, research, business development, impact reporting, and strategic planning
• An understanding of digital marketing and fundraising
• Insights into of the day-to-day running of a nonprofit organization
• International work experience
The Ground Hornbill Project is dedicated to ensuring the survival of the ground hornbill, an iconic bird that is classified as ‘endangered’ in South Africa. The threats to this iconic bird are multiple; their habitat is decreasing, they suffer from secondary poisoning, and they get electrocuted by transformer boxes. Moreover, ground hornbills are killed for traditional medicine, and sometimes targeted because of their territorial behavior.
To fight the drastic decline of the ground hornbill populations across Southern and East Africa, the Ground Hornbill Project has taken a multi-faceted approach that includes research, the provision of artificial nests, and the complex rearing and reintroduction of redundant second-hatched chicks that would naturally die of starvation. To fight misconceptions about ground hornbills, and reduce incentives for killing the birds, the nonprofit also runs education campaigns in local communities.
The Ground Hornbill Project is based in Mabula, a game reserve north of Johannesburg, but its work spans across the African continent. It’s the only organization fully dedicated to the preservation of the ground hornbill.
Responsibilities:
As a marketing and communications intern, your tasks may vary depending on your skills and the needs of the project, but they will likely include some of the following:
• Content creation for newsletters, reports, and external publications
• Design and manage digital fundraising campaigns
• Visual content creation (photography and videography)
• Conduct fundraising research
• Assist with drafting funding proposals and grant applications
• Write impact reports and manage donor relations
• Assist with field monitoring and evaluation
• Help create/design educational materials
• Develop a new fundraising initiative selling ground hornbill-themed crafts made by local communities
Requirements:
• Knowledge of social media channels and ideally some experience with digital marketing
• Strong writing skills and an ability to write for various platforms and audiences
• A passion for storytelling, and raising awareness for a good cause
• An ability to work on a strategic level, and to work quite independently
• A willingness to take on a variety of tasks
• Graphic design skills would be a plus
• Driver’s license (in-person interns will need to drive manual (no automatic) and will have to take a small test upon arrival)
• An ability to adapt to different cultures and have an open-minded & flexible approach to work
• A passion for wildlife conservation and the work the Ground Hornbill Project does
Please Keep the Following in Mind:
• You will be contacted by Roots Interns, as they handle all internship applications for this organization. Roots will also help with any practical preparations before the start of your internship (f.e. arranging your accommodation, answering any questions you might have about living abroad, etc.)
• During the internship you will be linked to a supervisor/mentor that will guide you and provide support & feedback throughout your time with the organization.
• Please note that the internship is based on a volunteer work placement, so you will not receive a payment or stipend of any kind.
Fees for 2024/2025 – click on the link below for information about the fees for this specific internship opportunity.
Visit https://www.rootsinterns.com/tour/marketing-communications-internship-in-wildlife-conservation/ learn more about this internship.
How to Apply:
Complete the application form via https://www.rootsinterns.com/apply/ or send an email to internship@rootsinterns.com.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis – apply ASAP!