Coordinator of the Spider Monkey Area in the Bolivian Jungle

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Recruiting Organization: Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY)

Would you love to work with primates? We are looking for a spider monkey coordinator to work at our wildlife sanctuary caring for rescued animals.

Introduction

Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi (CIWY) is a Bolivian NGO, made up of a team of committed professionals and volunteers from Bolivia and around the world. Founded in 1992, CIWY was the pioneer of the environmental movement in Bolivia and is recognised nationally and internationally. CIWY currently manages three wildlife sanctuaries: Machia (Cochabamba), Ambue Ari (Santa Cruz) and Jacj Cuisi (Rurrenabaque). Each sanctuary offers refuge to wild animals rescued from trafficking, offering them a better quality of life.

Overview

We currently have 17 individuals in the spider monkey area, housed in our Sanctuary Jacj Cuisi, it is one of CIWY's most successful programs. In the area there are two different types of management, 15 of the monkeys are on a system of supervised freedom in which they are free to go wherever they want in the jungle, we only monitor their health and support them with alimentation. The other 2 are on a rope as part of our runner system. With this kind of management they have space and freedom to move around the trees of the area.

Description

This area requires a person who is very passionate about and committed to helping animals. Coordinators must be attentive, have the desire to learn about the behaviour of the spider monkeys. They will also need to have the ability to organize their own work, manage the area alone or with a team, and manage the volunteers under their direction. The role of the spider monkey coordinator needs a capable person who can perform the following activities: cleaning, food preparation, animal care and general maintenance of the area.

All monkeys require monitoring by humans to ensure their welfare. The applicant must feel secure to manage and work in the area with the semi free monkeys. Coordinators are also responsible for introducing, teaching, supervising and organizing the work of the volunteers designated to their area.

Applicants must be in good physical and psychological condition and must be prepared to handle arduous work, including the transport of heavy backpacks with food or other materials to the distant area, with difficult climate conditions. Working with wildlife can involve the risk of bites and accidents if proper safety and care protocols are not followed.

Responsibilities

The spider monkey coordinator will be in charge of the following:

• Train, introduce and organize activities of new volunteers and interns.
• Implement measures to ensure the welfare of both animals and volunteers.
• Be in contact and direct communication with the main office and volunteer coordinator to assure and help the volunteers with any problems they may have.
• Work together with the biologist in charge to update the files of the animals in the area. Record observations, births, death, diseases and behavioural changes of the monkeys of our sanctuary.
• Plan, adapt and carry out the daily routines according to the conditions of each day.
• Organize the agenda of activities related to cleaning, feeding, enrichment, and coordination of free days for volunteers in the area.
• Understand and adapt the diets of the animals of the area according to their nutritional requirements and according to the availability of food.
• Ensure the cleanliness of the area and the health of the monkeys.
• Administer medicine and treatment to monkeys that need it under the direction of veterinarians. Be in direct communication with the veterinarians to monitor and take care of the health of the monkeys.
• Ensure that volunteers follow the rules and report to the administrator if this is not the case.
• Ensure the proper use and return of any sanctuary tools.
• Ensure that only volunteers and workers of the area enter it. Report to the volunteer coordinator if someone does not comply.
• Attend meetings when the administrator or the president require and maintain good communication with them.
• Know the emergency protocols in case of attacks, escapes or accidents.
• Make general repairs in the area when necessary

Experience & skills required

Candidates should have a strong interest in animals and specifically primates, in their behaviour and their well-being. Abilities to manage people and to work in a team are essential. Candidates should also have an intermediate level of both Spanish & English language (speaking, reading and writing ability).

Conditions

CIWY’s three sanctuaries are located in remote areas of Bolivia and conditions vary. Nevertheless, our spider monkey area is located at Jacj Cuisi and therefore you can expect to work in this sanctuary. Jacj Cuisi is isolated in the jungle, there is electricity but only to charge devices, no Wi-Fi but you can have internet service at some points and no hot showers.

You will be living in an international community composed of volunteers and staff from Bolivia and around the world. You must be prepared to work hard every day in a work environment that requires great physical effort and demands decisiveness, creativity, ingenuity and adaptability within a context of limited economic and material conditions.

You will enjoy the privilege of being a part of the process of giving a second chance to wildlife rescued from illegal trafficking and pet trade. Your day-to-day activities will be focused on maintaining and improving the welfare and quality of life of animals in their process of reintegration to the wild.

Commitment & Work hours

The role of coordinator comes with the responsibility of overseeing a management area. Usually our coordinators are the first to arrive and last to leave the areas to ensure proper functioning.

Coordinators can expect a work schedule that usually begins at 6.30 a.m. and ends at 5.30 p.m., with one hour for breakfast and one hour and a half for lunch.

Each coordinator works 6 days a week, and has one day off. Coordinators have a week of vacation after the third month of work in communication with the administrator of the sanctuary.

Accommodation

Staff housing conditions are basic since most of our resources are invested in the animals.

Jacj Cuisi has accommodation for volunteers and coordinators located at a long distance from the spider monkey area. This accommodation has bedrooms and nearby toilets and showers. There is a dining room and one kitchen, only used by the cook of the sanctuary. Bedrooms are shared by 2 to 8 people and have straw mattresses.

The sanctuary provides both sheets and pillows. We recommend you to bring a sleeping bag for the colder nights, a mosquito net and waterproof boots as well as a padlock for the security of your room.

Bilateral agreement

For this position the volunteer has to commit to a minimum of 6 months, after the initial trial and training 2 weeks. In Jacj Cuisi, you have an entitlement to breakfast, lunch, dinner and lodging.

When applying for this position you must take into account out-of-pocket expenses such as visa procedures and transport costs to the sanctuary. CIWY only supports you with the required documents for your visa.

Stipend ProvidedFalse

Training Provided

Housing Available

Language/Cultral Support AvailableFalse

Wheelchair AccessibleFalse

Fee RequiredFalse

Fee Amount: None

This opportunity is recurring