Volunteer Program

See the opportunties Iracambi offers for volunteers.

Volunteers and researchers from all over the world, with very different skills and expertise have brought ideas, energy and enthusiasm to our project. Having a wide variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise inform they way we work has added to the richness of the place and moved Iracambi closer towards its goals.

Owing to the nature of our project, and the work that needs to be done here, we have a wide range of opportunities for people who are committed to the same things we are - providing a sustainable future for the people of the area, in the belief that this is the best way to secure a future for the forest.

Please read on to get more information about the specific opportunties we have available. If you are interested in volunteering or researching here, but you don't find anything on this page that exactly whatyou want, conatct us anyway - maybe we can stiil use your specail skills.

Organisation structure

We have a small team of staff who are available to deal with questions and queries that people may have. The Volunteer Coordinator oversees the work the volunteers are doing, and the programs, and deals with logistical aspects. When you arrive, and throughout your time here that is the person who will help you to organise your project, deal with any issues or exciting news that arises and ensure that your work is documented properly. If you have any suggestions for improvements to Iracambi, or have any issues with your time here that's also also the person you should talk to.

Opportunities

The work that volunteers and researchers do falls in to five areas: our four research priority areas, and work to improve the capacity of the Center. Volunteers can come here to work on our research work or they can work on the following roles:

- Forest Monitoring - collecting data from our permanent sample plots where we monitor what's going on in the forest.

- Fundraising and grant writing - helping us to find money to enable us to achieve our mission to make conservation of the rainforest more attractive than its destruction more quickly.

- Geographic Information System (GIS) - collecting data, mapping and organising a geographic data base for the Serra do Brigadeiro Developemnt Territory as a basis for understanding the area and making land management decisions. The system also includes data for researchers and volunteers to use in their projects.

- I.T. - maintaining our network of computers and computer systems, and upgrading them where possible.

- Trails - allowing volunteers and researchers to get access to the Fazenda for work and play, as well as improving them and the information we have on them.

- Virtual herbarium - compiling a digital herbarium of the principal plants of Iracambi

- Website - keeping our website as up to date as possible so that potential volunteers and researchers are able to find us as easily as possible, and can get the information they need when they are here.

For details on how to apply, click here.

Working Environment
Iracambi is a self sufficient environment and you are expected to take the initiative for your work, and to tailor your working style to the facilities available. As far as possible, we will try and tailor your project to your skills, but you must be prepared to learn new skills: a two-way learning process that benefits us both. If you do have any problems we do have a group of staff who are available to help you find a role for yourself here, and who can provide you assistance as you go along - you just need to ask.
Working here you are likely to get the opportunity to work in a different way than you would normally. We don't necessarily have as many resources as you may be used to, so you will need to work in a more creative way.

The working week
Volunteers and researcher work from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with an hour for lunch - weekends are free. Iracambi is an organization which relies upon the work that volunteers do, and acceptance of a place here means acceptance of the working hours and that people are asked to take their placement as seriously as they would be required to take a job.
There is a volunteer meeting every Monday. These meetings provide an opportunity for people to get together to catch up on what work people are doing and how projects are progressing. It also provides a forum for people to put forward suggestions as to how the program can work better.
Once a week there is a ‘group activity’. These normally involve providing assistance on a big project which a group can get done much more quickly. These activities have included helping build steps on one of the trails, upgrading the veggie garden by the Center, improving the housing, tidying the gardens, with a fun activity thrown in every now and then.

The Volunteer Program

The volunteer program has been designed so as to ensure you get the most out of your time here and consists of the following stages:

• Orientation
  Presentation and Introduction to Iracambi.
• Individual Meeting
  This will be held with the Volunteer Coordinator and possibly a Project Coordinator to discuss your project and expectations.
• My Brief
  You will be given a form to fill to clarify what it is you will do with your time here and the key tasks and targets you will try to meet.
• Update/Feedback
  You will be given the opportunity to discuss your work at the volunteer meetings. This provides a platform for feedback and also to inform others what you are doing
• My Summary
  Towards the end of your stay you will be asked to fill in the second half of your brief, this information will help to inform your ‘Exit Evaluation’.
• My Presentation
  You will be asked to present your work/findings to both Iracambi staff and volunteers, ideally in a PowerPoint. This may seem a little daunting but it’s really not, it’s more about celebrating your work and providing constructive feedback.
• Exit Evaluation
  An informal interview will be conducted with the Volunteer Coordinator. This is a chance for you to tell us about your experience in Iracambi and any suggestions you might have.
• Before you Leave
  You will be expected to do a checklist so we know where your work is, that things have been returned, passports are in hand etc.
• Just Because
  At any point during your time with us you need to speak to someone, be it personal or work-related, the Volunteer Coordinators door is always open and will treat the matter confidentially.

If you need any information, e-mail us or call us on Skype