GENERAL INFORMATIONS
The period of placement is for 12 months.
You will work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Saturday and Sunday are your days off.
But as a camp manager we expect you to be able to arrange your hours flexible, to work when needed e.g. when new volunteers arrive on Saterday you have to do an introduction meeting and show them around.
OUR EXPECTATIONS
Daktari expects somebody who is able to manage a group of volunteers and maintain their enthusiasm. The organization expects this person to be responsible and to be able to make decisions when the Directors have to be away for a few days.
This person must be able to adapt in the African Bush and have a passion for outdoor activities, children and animals. A handy person abled to do maintenance would be valued.
The camp manager should be diplomate with the volunteers and know how to keep distance while being efficient and seen as a leader. She/He will work with volunteers from all over the world and children who have different cultures. She/he must be an understanding and adaptable person.
Usually, the volunteer will not have access to driving our vehicles but might have to in exceptional circumstances.
The volunteer might have to face a lack of independence in term of going out and she/he must be prepared to this. Daktari goes to the little town of Hoedspruit every Saturday and she/he will then be able to join the team at this occasion.
The volunteer will gain an incredible experience of the life in the bush getting over many challenges. Every day is different and you have to be prepared for many unexpected activities and challenges.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Daktari has paying volunteers who come to have the experience of teaching underprivileged children to care for their environment through the medium of a wildlife orphanage. The organization needs a camp manager who will be in charge of the team of paying volunteers to guide them through their experience.
Key Responsibilities
• To greet volunteers on arrival at the camp.
• To orient volunteers and ensure that all volunteers are equipped to perform their duties.
• To train volunteers effectively to allow them to perform their duties.
• To monitor the volunteers’ activities and provide further guidance and support as necessary.
• To chair daily meetings with volunteers to outline the day’s activities.
• To assume responsibility for weekly camp attendance summary, program evaluation, volunteer evaluation, and other required reports. (Word and Excel)
• To perform maintenance and repair on camp facilities
• To assume responsibility for checking in and out camp grounds and non-camp groups and maintenance of records.
•To care for orphaned animals as required
•To assume responsibility for maintaining standard first aid supplies.
•To perform related work as required.
SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION
Essential skills
• You must speak and write english to be efficient in your work.
• You must be diplomat and have initiative.
• You must enjoy working with a team.
• To be confident with Word and Excel (Mac computers).
Desirable skills
• To have a management degree.
• To have an experience in team management.
• To be proficient in maintenance activities.
• To have an experience in working with animals
• To have a degree level qualification in a relevant field.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The project is based in the middle of the bush. There is no electricity in the camp but Daktari has solar power and internet for the needs of the computers. You will live in a family atmosphere and a beautiful area. You must be able to adapt to group life and to be away from the city.
Many challenges will occur as the days are never the same. In many occasions, you will be in contact with underpriviliged children who have not the same culture as you have. You must be an understanding and adaptable person.
As mentioned above, you will work Monday untill Friday, 8 hours a day, as a camp manager you should be able to organize your hours flexible. Everyday Saturday, any volunteer can go to town to do shopping, enjoy a lunch in a restaurant or do an excursion. Daktari also proposes extra-mural trips as visiting the famous Kruger National Park, the Blyde River Canyon etc.
ACCOMODATION INFORMATION
You will be accommodated in a chalet or in a room in the director's house. The accommodations are based on the project site, on a 600 hectares private game reserve. There is no electricity on the farm but we have solar power in the office and in the central camp for the need of the computers, refrigerators, lights, laundry etc.
The rooms/chalets are basic but very confortable. We try to give as much privacy as possible to long-term volunteers but you might have to share a room with other volunteers. Your laundry is done for you and you will have Internet access at a minimal fee for your private use. The rooms have toilets and shower with hot water.
There are animal’s camps around the camp and you must be prepared to be in contact with them. There are also wild animals in the private game reserve.
EXPENSES INFORMATION
The volunteer will not be responsible for the food expenses, accommodation and travel costs for work purposes.
You will be required to pay R.1500 per month in advance (R.18000 for 12 months). Daktari will refund you the full amount at a rate of R.1500 per month. However, if you decide to cut short your stay, Daktari will keep the amount for the non-honored months. For example, if you stay six months instead of 12 months Daktari will keep R. 9000
For the extra-mural trips organized during weekends, you will have to pay for your entrance fees and participate to the fuel expenses. You pay for you own lunch when you join the volunteers on Saturday in town.
We request that you take a week off every second month. Therefore you will have to budget for this expense. (e.g. Accommodation, food, transport)
There is no car available at Daktari for your private transport.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Daktari recommends the volunteer to arrive the Saturday in Hoedspruit airport where the organization is able to pick her/him up.
If you have your own vehicle, you can arrive independently at Daktari.
Daktari hopes that this position will meet your expectations and looks forward to hearing from you.
