Internships Details

About the Organization

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) was founded in 1990 by Dr. Laurie Marker. CCF's mission is to be an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and education on cheetahs and their eco-systems, working with all stakeholders to achieve best practice in the conservation and management of the world's cheetahs. As Namibia has the largest and healthiest population of cheetahs left in the world, CCF's International Research and Education Centre is based in Namibia, near Otjiwarongo.

CCF's stance is that understanding the cheetah's biology and ecology is essential to stabilise the population and manage its sustainability for the future. Its strategy to save the wild cheetah is a three-pronged process of research, conservation and education, beginning with long-term studies to understand and monitor the factors affecting the cheetah's survival. Results of these studies are used to develop conservation policies and programmes to sustain its populations. CCF actively works with local, national and international communities to raise awareness, communicate, educate and train. Some of CCF's approaches include:

1. conducting intensive scientific research and publishing papers on research findings--in cheetah genetics, biology, ecology, health and reproduction, human impact, and species survival, including assistance with the management of captive and free-ranging cheetah throughout the world. CCF also develops and implements non-lethal predator control and other better livestock management practices. These include CCF's Livestock Guarding Dog Programme, and the relocation of problem cheetahs, which attempt to eliminate the need for ranchers to kill cheetah.
2. creating and managing long-term conservation strategies for the cheetah throughout their range. CCF researchers develop, test, and promote alternative land-management practices such as conservancy development, and eco-tourism.
3. carrying out local and international conservation education programmes to illustrate ways in which the species can be protected, by addressing community upliftment and predator-conflict resolution. CCF also creates and disseminates education materials worldwide.
4. building capacity in countries that still harbour cheetah populations. The international programme currently includes distributing CCF materials, lending resources and support, and providing training throughout Africa and the rest of the world.

CCF's work to save the wild cheetah and its wilderness habitat is successful because it works on all aspects of the cheetah's plight, through education and public outreach, applied conservation biology and management, public policy, and science and research.

Job Description

Interns are expected to participate in a variety of general tasks and operations of the program. An additional focus area is assigned based on the student's background and interests. Hands-on work with the cheetah and other wildlife is sporadic. Therefore, interns are assigned general tasks including administrative work (data entry, record keeping, correspondence, reports and fundraising), education programs (teacher training, presentations, school talks), and animal care (domestic animals and occasionally cheetahs).

# of Positions per term

1 per term

Start Dates

January, April, July or October

Duration of Internship

3 Months

Qualifications

Academic Background

Biology, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, Environmental Studies/Science, Wildlife Science, Business/Marketing, GIS/Spatial Analysis, Agriculture Science including livestock and farming ( particularly olive and grape projects). Ph.D. candidate in Genetics also highly desired. Interns with skills and interests in non-profit management, fundraising and education are also sought.

Skills/Experience

Computer and/or graphic design skills a plus. Animal handling experience.

Language Ability

English. Interns with some German language skills are sought to work with the large volume of German-speaking visitors to CCF.

Other Requirements

Students must be flexible and willing to work up to seven days a week with long hours. Living and working conditions are typical of a rural area in a developing country. All interns going to African countries are required to visit the Sudent Health Center on their home campus, or another clinic with information on international travel, to obtain information on required and recommended immunizations and health care precautions for travel to African countries. Students should visit their campus travel clinic and obtain health information at least 3 months prior to their proposed departure date, as some immunizations require multiple visits over a period of months or weeks. Please contact your campus coordinator for further information.

Internship Costs

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee for the first term of any internship is $2,750 - $2,950. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	Approximately $3500 Roundtrip plus $200 for airport transfer
Visa Fees	$50
Recommended Immunizations	$440

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$2000/month for full room and board - dormitory accomodation
Food	Included in accomodation fee
Local Transportation	$50
Recreation	$75
Personal Expenses	$75

Compensation

None

Additional Information

Visit the CCF website at http://www.cheetah.org

View a July 2009 ABC News piece on CCF:

Click here for an article on CCF from the Smithsonian Magazine, February 2008