COOPE Sol I DAR
Cooperative For Social Action and Sustainable Development
San Jose, Costa Rica
Costa Rica-010
Internship Description
About the Organization:Coope Sol i Dar, R.L. focuses on environment and development at the community level. The approach is interdisciplinary and interinstitutional, centered on community and local stakeholders, and interactive with essential environmental planning, management and policy processes. The organization's multi-disciplinary professional staff of 10 has past and on-going initiatives in Conflict Resolution, Project Environmental Sustainability, Gender Issues, Environmental Education Training, Environmental Policy and Law, and Sustainable Use of Community Biodiversity. Current field-level projects include work with a Fishing Cooperative on the Pacific Coast (Coopetarcoles, R.L.). Since 2003, CoopeSoliDar, R.L. has worked to encourage the association and institutional strengthening of fishing cooperatives nationally. It has specifically worked with Coopetarcoles, R.L. to help foster its role within a "cooperative cluster". A main concern is to bring social responsibility and environmental aspects of cooperativism to bear on sustainable management and conservation of natural resources.
Local Activities:
Job Description:
Interns will be assigned specific objectives and tasks consistent with their previous preparation and the particular needs of the program. Some illustrative project activities are: Fishing Cooperative: organizational and business strengthening; diversification and production alternatives; community resource management (waste management, product handling; improved storage); fisheries biology research activities; delimitation of fishing areas; training in more sustainable fishing practices; work on a fisheries code/standard; training in tourism and hotel basics, including teaching functional English, and development of visual aids for training.
Interns will be based in San Jose with periodic stays within the project area. Interns will prepare a specific work plan with their supervisor (Biologist Vivienne Solis for Coopertarcoles,. R.L.) and have monthly performance reviews. Other technical staff is available for consultation. CoopeSoliDar, R.L. personnel and resource persons will provide on-site orientation to cultural aspects of working with fishing communities.
Additional Information:
Start Date:
Any academic quarter or semester
Duration:
3-6 months
Number of Positions:
2 at any time
Intern Qualifications
Academic Background:Environmental Studies, Marine Fisheries Biology; Parks and Recreation; Gender Studies; Organization Management; Environmental Conflict Resolution
Skills/Experience:
Management, organizational development, social communications and gender in development skills and backgrounds are very pertinent. Previous experience living/studying in Latin America highly advisable.
Language Requirement:
Minimum of completion of 3rd year level of university Spanish. More preferred.
Other Requirements:
Good interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, team work, cultural sensitivity and flexibility to adapt to on-going and multiple activities.
Internship Costs
Program Fees:The program fee includes tuition, internship site development and placement, pre-departure orientation, international health insurance, internship monitoring and follow-up.
Click here for application information, including the program fee, for your school.
Note: The program fee does not include airfare, housing, living expenses or any other estimated costs noted below.
Note:
Any financial or in-kind support provided by the host organization is explicitly indicated.
Compensation:
None provided.
Accommodation:
None provided but homestays can be arranged for the interns in San Jose and simple but clean and comfortable rooms will be arranged at field site.
International Travel:
Approximately $900 round trip to San Jose.
Cost of Living:
Approximately $330 for homestay, with 2 meals and laundry in San Jose. Housing in the field runs roughly $25-$20 per day and meals about $12 per day. Plan an additional $120-$200 per month for incidentals, local transport and travel, and recreation.
Budget Note:
Applicants should use these estimates for preliminary budgeting purposes.
IE3 will issue an official budget after acceptance by the host organization.
Application Information
Academic Credit:
Up to 12 credits available as per arrangement with supervising department.
Application Materials:
IE3 is a program of the Oregon University System.
Students from participating
partner universities are also eligible to apply.
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information and select your school from the list.