Deadline: 30-Apr-23
Are you an early career Tanzanian conservationist looking to explore emerging conservation technologies while networking with a strong cohort of other female leaders? Apply now for the Women in Conservation Tech Programme.
WILDLABS Community are accepting applications to participate in their Women in Conservation Technology Programme: Tanzania, a three-month experience in which a cohort of early career women will be selected to explore technological solutions to overcome conservation challenges. This programme has two primary aims: the first is to introduce participants to a diversity of hardware, software, and data management tools used for wildlife monitoring, wildlife protection, and resource management, so that they may effectively use these tools in their own work. The second is to arrange opportunities for professional development and networking to empower a community of women working in conservation technology across this region.
This programme is run by Grumeti Fund via Research and Innovation for the Serengeti Ecosystem (RISE), WILDLABS, and Fauna & Flora. The Grumeti Fund is a non-profit organization carrying out wildlife conservation and community development work in the western corridor of the Serengeti ecosystem. RISE is a Grumeti Fund program aiming to develop research that targets tangible solutions for conservation problems and contributes to developing the next generation of Tanzanian conservation scientists. WILDLABS is the global online hub for conservation technology, providing connections, resources and training to conservationists, researchers and engineers around the world. Fauna & Flora is an international NGO dedicated to protecting the planet’s threatened wildlife and habitats. An overarching aim of Fauna & Flora is to provide capacity building programs that empower people to embrace new approaches to conservation.
Benefits and expectations
- Participants will find mentorship, build meaningful connections with the regional and global conservation technology community, and gain valuable professional development and job experience. Up to ten participants will be funded for in-country travel and on-site accommodation. Contributions for childcare costs during workshops are possible. Participants must be available to attend the complete range of program dates (workshop 1: June 25 – July 1; workshop 2: TBD). The program will be taught in a combination of Swahili and English and a certification will be issued upon completion.
Eligibility Criteria
- This program is geared towards early-career women in the conservation field, although women at later stages of their conservation career are welcome to apply. Applicants must:
- Be a Tanzanian national and identify as a woman.
- Be at least 18 years old and have completed a Diploma, B.Sc., or M.Sc. in Wildlife Conservation or a related area.
- Be passionate about conservation and curious about technology.
- Have a demonstrated interest in securing a position as a research assistant, field program staff, or pursuing an advanced degree related to conservation science. Individuals already employed with a conservation organization are encouraged to apply.
- Be able to commit to both in-person workshops and internship (if applicable), as well as participate in virtual programming.
Program Details
- Participants will attend two in-person workshops at the Grumeti Fund with the first running for five days and the second for three days. During the three-month interim period between workshops, they will facilitate virtual and in-person professional development training. Additionally, participants will have opportunities to continue engaging with the cohort and broader networks of women and conservational professionals in Tanzania after the completion of the program.
- The first workshop in June will provide an immersive introduction to hardware and software tools used for wildlife monitoring, wildlife protection, community engagement, and resource management. The program will have mentorship and networking sessions where participants can interact with other female leaders in the conservation technology field.
- Over the subsequent three months, WiCT will support the participants as they facilitate the uptake and use of technological tools to advance conservation practice. Participants who are not currently involved with a conservation organization will receive an internship placement that will enable them to engage with conservation technology. During this time, participants will engage with virtual programming on WILDLABS which will provide further opportunities to develop their conservation tech skill sets and connect with their cohort and regional mentors.
- In October, the cohort will reconvene for a three-day workshop to share their experiences on the practical application of conservation technology tools in their work, highlighting their successes,challenges, and future goals. This meeting will also be an avenue for the participants to deepen connections and relationships within and beyond the cohort.
- And after the program’s formal conclusion, the WILDLABS platform will serve as an invaluable meeting point. Through their WiCT groups, cohort members will continue to connect with each other, as well as with women from their previous Kenyan cohort and future cohorts, including one based in Tanzania that is slated to commence later in 2023. With dedicated spaces for all ofour cohorts to engage and support each other, and with access to a global audience of their fellow conservation tech users and makers, their successes, collaborations, and positive impacts in the field will reach far beyond their own regions through WILDLABS.
For more information, visit Women in Conservation Technology Programme.