Wildlife management volunteer volunteer roles in belfast

Africa Sustainable Journeys

ASJ is a purpose-driven social enterprise offering immersive, ethical travel experiences in Uganda and Rwanda. Founded after a life-changing encounter with the Batwa community in Bwindi forest, our mission is to empower local people, preserve cultural heritage, and promote conservation through sustainable tourism.

Environmental Challenges

Climate change poses a significant threat to the ecosystems of Uganda and Rwanda. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events are altering the delicate balance of the region's ecosystems. This, in turn, disrupts wildlife habitats, impacts local communities, and threatens the regions' rich biodiversity. For instance, changing weather patterns are affecting the migratory patterns of animals, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict and wildlife distinction.

Conservation efforts in Uganda and Rwanda are also facing significant challenges. Habitat destruction, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict are major threats to the regions' endangered species, including mountain gorillas, elephants, and lions. The destruction of habitats is largely driven by agricultural expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure development, which have resulted in widespread deforestation and land degradation. This not only threatens biodiversity but also leads to soil erosion, loss of fertile land, and decreased agricultural productivity.

Waste management and pollution are additional environmental concerns facing Uganda and Rwanda. The rapid growth of urban centers has led to an increase in plastic waste, agricultural runoff, and other pollutants, which contaminate water sources, soil, and air. This poses significant health risks to local communities, who rely heavily on natural resources for their livelihoods. Furthermore, the lack of effective waste management systems and pollution controls threatens the regions' natural beauty and biodiversity.

Social Challenges Poverty and economic inequality are pervasive in Uganda and Rwanda, particularly in rural areas. Limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities perpetuate poverty and inequality, creating a cycle of disadvantage that is difficult to break. Many communities lack access to basic services, such as clean water, sanitation, and electricity, which exacerbates poverty and inequality. Furthermore, the lack of economic opportunities and limited access to markets and resources hinder the ability of local communities to improve their livelihoods.

Cultural exploitation is another significant social challenge facing Uganda and Rwanda. The commercialization of cultural heritage and traditions can lead to cultural erosion, exploitation, and loss of cultural identity. The tourism industry, in particular, can perpetuate cultural exploitation, as local communities are often pressured to perform cultural rituals and practices for tourists, leading to the commodification of culture. This can result in the loss of cultural significance and meaning, as well as the exploitation of local communities for economic gain.

Displacement of local communities is a further social challenge facing Uganda and Rwanda. Unregulated tourism development can result in the displacement of local communities, loss of land, and cultural heritage. The construction of tourist infrastructure, such as hotels and lodges, can lead to the displacement of local communities, as their land is taken over for development. This can result in the loss of livelihoods, cultural heritage, and community cohesion.

To address the social and environmental challenges in Uganda and Rwanda, we've established a policy framework guiding our project development. Our "Choose Your Impact" initiative allocates 2% of tour proceeds to local community projects, 1% to Sustainable Travel International's Climate Impact Portfolio for carbon offsetting, and 1% to local conservation initiatives.

Our projects tackle specific social and environmental challenges. Through our partnership with St. Kizito Junior Academy, our Rural Education Support Program bridges the educational gap for vulnerable children in rural Uganda. Where we are committed to improving infrastructure, provide essential resources, and support the school's efforts to deliver quality education, empowering disadvantaged children in Mpigi district, Njjanya village.

We also empower teenage mothers in the Rwenzori region through our partnership with Platform for the Needy, providing them with skills training, education, and economic empowerment. This support enables them to improve their socio-economic status, overcome marginalization, and participate fully in their communities.

In partnership with Ride 4 a Woman and Azizi Life, we promote community-based tourism, enabling guests to engage in cultural exchange programs and homestays. This approach injects income into local economies, supports local people, and fosters cross-cultural understanding.

Environmentally, we promote sustainable wildlife tourism practices, support conservation efforts, and protect wildlife habitats. We invest in sustainable infrastructure, implement environmentally friendly practices, reduce waste and carbon emissions, and support reforestation and climate action initiatives.

Our social responsibility commitment extends to addressing inequality and social exclusion among the indigenous Batwa community in Uganda. Our Batwa Healthcare Support project provides comprehensive medical care, health education, and community outreach. We also partner with Guardian Gorilla Village on the Goats for Gorillas project, supporting sustainable livelihood solutions for reformed poachers' families and reducing threats to gorillas and wildlife.

Call for Remote Volunteers!

Africa Sustainable Journeys is seeking passionate and skilled individuals to join our remote volunteer team! As a remote volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to contribute your skills and expertise to support our mission of promoting sustainable tourism and community development in Uganda and Rwanda.

Marketing Volunteer

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

We are Africa Sustainable Journeys, a social enterprise dedicated to creating a positive impact through sustainable tourism and community development in Uganda and Rwanda. We are seeking a talented Marketing Volunteer to help amplify our message and enhance our online visibility. As a key member of our team, you will play a crucial role in boosting our online presence, fostering meaningful partnerships, and supporting our fundraising efforts for rural education, Batwa healthcare, and teenage mothers.

If you are passionate about marketing and creating a meaningful impact, we would love to hear from you! This volunteer role offers flexibility, whether remotely or on-site in Entebbe, Uganda, and you will have the opportunity to develop your skills while contributing to a worthwhile cause. Apply now and join our mission to drive positive change!

Weekly Time Commitment

2-3 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

At CPRE, we’re passionate about making the countryside a better place for everyone to enjoy. This flexible, micro-volunteering role is a great way to stand up for the countryside if you don’t have much time to spare! You’ll take quick and easy online actions to support our campaigns from home (or wherever you have internet access!) at a time that suits you.

We're particularly keen to recruit people aged 18 - 30 (although this role is open to everyone!) as we want to being younger voices into our campaigning work.

This is an excellent opportunity for those looking explore a career in environmental campaigning and advocacy. By taking easy online actions, you’ll help us to champion environmental issues such as the climate emergency, renewable energy, biodiversity and sustainable transport.

We’ll ask you to take and feedback on England based campaigning actions, to inform what we do in the future. Your ideas will shape the way we do our campaigns in the future.

We’re looking to build our team of activists for a series of actions over the next few months. You’ll actively shape the future of this work, and you’ll be testing an exciting new way to volunteer with CPRE! Interested in taking part? Find out more below.

Why we want you

We want to gain the support of people with many different experiences of the countryside to inform what we do so we can work towards a thriving countryside for everyone.

You'll join a group of enthusiastic volunteers taking actions and giving feedback that directly supports our campaigning work. Some actions will take as little as 5 minutes!

Sign up is easy - we just need a few details and then you'll join our activist pool. Please note you must be 18 or over to sign up for this role.

What you will be doing

The types of actions we’ll ask you to take part may include:

• Build our understanding of what motivates you to support our campaigns, what you’d like to see us do in the future and how best you’d like to take part through surveys and feedback
• Sign a petition, send a letter to your MP using a template or take a survey
• Read / share articles & like / share posts / blogs
• Attend an online session / webinar / training eg on lobbying
• Feedback on campaigns content (reports, website, podcasts)

The skills you need

• An interest in the countryside and environmental issues
• Willing to give feedback as part of the role
• Access to a computer, tablet or smartphone with internet
• No experience necessary!

What's in it for you

• Use your enthusiasm, skills and experience to make a positive difference to the countryside
• Opportunity to influence future campaigning asks, and feedback on what works
• Access to online campaigning training and webinars
• Learn new advocacy and campaigning skills

InterVol is a student volunteering charity in the United Kingdom that connects students with volunteering opportunities locally and overseas. InterVol supports students to develop their skills with community projects in the UK and then use those skills to support the work of charitable partners overseas on health, education, refugee support, and conservation placements. Our project placements and volunteering opportunities are designed by our local partners with the long-term needs of beneficiaries and communities in mind. InterVol supports a network of four student societies at English universities with around one hundred volunteers annually.

InterVol is looking to increase its presence on university campuses around England and Wales, and therefore we are accepting applications from university students interested in setting up a student committee.As a committee member, you will be responsible for recruiting students to volunteer locally and abroad, liaising between the board of trustees and the committee, and recruiting committee members for the next academic year. The student committees will be supported by the trustee board, who are drawn from past student committees. 

Setting up a student committee is an excellent opportunity to gain leadership experience, gain a developed insight into the charity sector and international development, and create positive change in your community and abroad. All student committees are supported by the trustee board, and there will be training provided. 

As a committee member you will:

·Work with the student union at your university to establish an InterVol committee. 

·Recruit students to volunteer locally and abroad. This will involve attending freshers’ fair, hosting information evenings, and running team-building days. 

·Organise local volunteering opportunities and liaise with our international project partners. 

·Recruit committee members for the following academic year. 

·Oversee volunteer fundraising. 

·Commit to being involved with the student committee for two years. 

·Be based in the United Kingdom to allow travel to meetings.

Person Specification:

·Experience of volunteering in the UK or abroad. 

·Strong teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills. 

·Capable of leading teams and working under pressure. 

·Well-versed at time management and staying organised. 

IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals) is a UK-registered animal welfare charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need.

IAPWA are currently seeking a Community Fundraising Co-ordinator to join their UK team to support their development of volunteer community fundraisers throughout the UK.

From identifying ways to engage with potential animal lovers who would be interested in supporting our cause to nurturing those relationships and helping them to make an impact, you will be part of a charity who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of animals in need.

International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) is a UK-registered animal welfare charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need.

IAPWA are currently seeking an Event Co-ordinator to join their UK team to support their ‘Dip for Dogs’ fundraising initiative.

From identifying locations to host a charity ice bath event, to recruiting and supporting volunteers to assist on the day, you will be part of a charity who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of animals in need.

Do you have professional expertise you could use to help a good cause? Are you passionate about animal welfare? Trustees manage the affairs of our local RSPCA Branch to promote and provide animal welfare within the branch area. 

We are the Surrey East Branch of the RSPCA, and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. 

Main activities: 

• To be familiar with and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA. 

• To be familiar with our branch rules and follow them at all times. 

• To work with your fellow trustees and branch officers to jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of our branch and the RSPCA. 

• To ensure the branch meets all the minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS). Where they are not met, work with national RSPCA staff to meet the standard as soon as practicable. 

• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch support specialist (BSS), to write, adopt, monitor and review a branch development plan setting out the short and long-term aims of our branch. 

• To actively participate in branch committee meetings and attend the branch annual general meeting, and regional conference. 

• To be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives. 

• To attend the trustee training course. 

• To actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers. 

• To welcome new trustees and volunteers to the branch. 

About the RSPCA

We’re proud to be the oldest welfare charity in existence

• We were the first to introduce a law to protect animals and we work hard to ensure that all animals can live a life free from pain and suffering. 

• Through our campaigns we raise standards of care and awareness of issues for the animals who have no voice. We push for laws to be changed, improving the welfare of animals on farms, in research labs, in the wild, in paddocks or in our homes. 

• Through investigations and prosecutions, we stand up to those who deliberately harm animals to send out a clear message - we will not tolerate animal abuse. 

• Our highly trained officers tackle neglect and cruelty at every level and are working hard to stamp out large-scale serious, organised and commercial animal cruelty. 

• We believe every animal has the right to be counted as an individual. Animals can rely on us to rescue them when they need us most. To rehabilitate them wherever possible, provide them with the very best veterinary care and to find them new homes, either through rehoming or release.

What are we looking for? 

• Most people aged 18 or over are eligible to become a trustee. You will need to become a member of the RSPCA. Good interpersonal skills are important. You do not need to be an expert, although commitment, common sense and the ability to be objective is vital. 

• Specific skills such as finance, fundraising, project management, business experience, and awareness of employment and/or charity legislation can be useful, but not essential. 

• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and that they accept the post. 

• In addition to our standard declaration of willingness, trustees also need to complete a declaration from the Charity Commission and read their guidance for individuals on who can’t be a trustee or senior manager of a charity. 

What can we offer you? 

• It’s a great way to meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare. 

• You will have the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals. 

• New RSPCA trustees are provided with a document “Trustees handbook” and asked to attend a training course which provides information and guidance about a trustee’s role and responsibilities. 

• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch. 

• Volunteer at the heart of the local community.