Location: Kekoldi, Costa Rica
Reporting to: Program Manager
Start Date: ASAP (Ideal start date 1 January 2025)
Duration of contract: 1 year contract (with possibility of extension)



About GVI
GVI Planet | GVI People


At GVI, we're driven by the desire to make a positive impact on our planet and its people. Our dedicated teams are actively working to address global challenges and together, we leverage a diverse set of specialised skills to pursue a shared vision: fostering a brighter and more sustainable future for all.


We offer award-winning conservation and community development programs in 13 countries, all aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and led by our teams and experts from the communities we operate in.


Working at GVI is fast-paced and fun. We value passion, authenticity, and innovation, and we treat each other with respect. But we can do better than words to show you who we are! To see what it's really like to work for GVI, click here .


About the role
GVI is looking for a talented individual who's enthusiastic about birds and wildlife in general, to lead surveys and assist in the day-to-day running of the conservation programs. As a Program Officer, your primary focus will be the Bird Program, where you'll conduct weekly bird point counts. However, like the rest of our team, most of your fieldwork will involve general biodiversity surveys, covering birds, mammals, and reptiles. You’ll receive training on identifying all three groups to support your fieldwork and your goal is to ensure our participants have the most fantastic experience during their time with GVI by sharing your passion for providing quality fieldwork.


Role and responsibilities:

• Lead and support field staff, volunteers, and interns to deliver fieldwork and project activities safely and successfully.
• Serve as a role model by demonstrating a strong work ethic and respect for different perspectives and cultures.
• Assist with all scientific research/output/projects on base.
• Deliver participant training workshops and oversee participants’ participation in project work and/or intern supervision.
• The Program Officer needs a good knowledge of the required fieldwork and the science it is based on and reports to the Senior Program Coordinator and Program Manager on project ideas, challenges, needs, or tasks.
• Responsible for day-to-day of their assigned project(s).
• Delivery of training week lectures.
• Liaise & nurture relationships with project partners where necessary.
• Responsible for conducting the surveys in a safe and consistent manner.
• Mentoring interns.
• Responsible for inventory and maintenance of equipment.
Responsible for informing the Senior Program Coordinator on specific needs related to the project.

About you
If you are ambitious, purpose-driven, and you have a great sense of humour, we want to meet you. As an organisation, we know that welcoming a broad range of people with unique identities makes us powerful and we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion practices.


Personal attributes:

• Passion for Conservation: A deep commitment to environmental issues and a genuine desire to make a positive impact.
• Adaptability: Ability to thrive in remote environments and adjust to varying cultural contexts.
• Strong Communication Skills: Proficiency in conveying ideas clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, often across language barriers.
• Teamwork: Capability to work collaboratively with diverse teams, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.
• Physical Stamina: Capability to handle the physical demands of fieldwork, including hiking, lifting equipment, and working in various weather conditions.
• Resilience: Capacity to cope with setbacks and challenges in the field, maintaining a positive outlook.
  
  

Professional skills and experience:

• Passion for wildlife conservation and a science-led approach.
• Experience with data collection and entry.
  
• Experience living in remote and difficult conditions.
• Experience doing fieldwork in tropical environments.
• Skilled in bird identification by visualization and vocalization.
• Experience working with international volunteers.
• University education in Biology or related studies.

Advantageous

• Emergency First Response certified/trained
  
• Previous GVI experience
  
Spanish speaking (not essential)

Benefits
Here’s what our global team enjoys:

• Collaborative, flexible culture
  
• Transparency – hear directly from the CEO consistently
  
• Leadership development
  
• In-house counselling support
  
Growth opportunities across our 17 locations!

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Package includes:

• Monthly Salary
• Accommodation
• Food
• Visa costs (if applicable)
Emergency medical and travel insurance

To apply:
Please send your CV along with a cover letter stating why you feel you would be best suited to this position at GVI.


Not quite ticking all the boxes for our current vacancies just yet? Explore our internship openings here for the perfect stepping stone toward a career in sustainable development.


Please note: We will do our utmost to respond to all applicants, however, given the large volume of applications we receive, this isn't always possible. If you do not hear back from us within three-four weeks, please take it that on this occasion your application was unsuccessful.