• Decent Work And Economic Growth
Available from May 2025

NGO Project Manager

location
24 - 48 weeks  ·  Age 21 - 50+
rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Join our small and dynamic team making positive, meaningful, and sustainable impacts.
  • Achieve and monitor the goals, strategy and achievements within the following members of DAKTARI (Director Assistant, Fundraising, Marketing, Animal Care manager, Maintenance Manager...)
  • Gain hands-on experience in environmental conservation and community development initiatives.

Highlights

  • Join our small and dynamic team making positive, meaningful, and sustainable impacts.
  • Achieve and monitor the goals, strategy and achievements within the following members of DAKTARI (Director Assistant, Fundraising, Marketing, Animal Care manager, Maintenance Manager...)
  • Gain hands-on experience in environmental conservation and community development initiatives.
  • Engage with a diverse mix of volunteers and staff from different countries and cultures.
  • Live in our unique bush-style accommodation where you will be immersed in the abundant surrounding wildlife.

    • Especially good for

    Age 21+
    Singles

    About the program

    DAKTARI is seeking a Project Manager with exceptional interpersonal skills to coordinate our international volunteers and local staff. Join us to make a positive impact!

    Calling all visionary Project Managers!

    We are seeking a dynamic Project Manager with exceptional people skills to lead and inspire our international volunteers and local staff. If you thrive in a role that drives exceptional results and brings teams together, this opportunity is for you!

    As the ...

    About the program

    Calling all visionary Project Managers!

    We are seeking a dynamic Project Manager with exceptional people skills to lead and inspire our international volunteers and local staff. If you thrive in a role that drives exceptional results and brings teams together, this opportunity is for you!

    As the Project Manager, you will play a pivotal role in analyzing department activities, assigning tasks, and ensuring the smooth and successful execution of our projects. Your vision and strategic thinking will shape the future of our organization and drive its development.

    Key Responsibilities:

    • Ignite the thrill of new challenges and the responsibility of driving prosperity and achievement for our organization.
    • Foster a sense of shared purpose and camaraderie within the project team.
    • Cultivate the essential people skills needed to foster trust and open communication among the entire team.
    We are looking for individuals who embody the following criteria:

    • Vision: You have a clear vision of where we need to go and the ability to articulate it to inspire others.
    Communication: Your communication skills are exceptional, ensuring clarity around goals, responsibilities, expectations, and feedback.
    • Integrity: You lead by example, setting ethical standards for the entire team to follow.
    • Enthusiasm/Passion: Your can-do attitude and positive energy motivate and inspire others to achieve greatness.
    • Empathy/Compassion: You understand that life extends beyond the workplace and value the emotions and well-being of our team members.
    • Competence: While demonstrating expertise in your field, you recognize the value of others' skills and expertise, leveraging their strengths for collective success.
    • Delegation: You effortlessly delegate tasks, recognizing and utilizing the skills and talents of team members effectively.
    • Composure: Even in challenging situations, you remain composed and level-headed, rising above pressure to find solutions.
    • Team Building: A natural team builder, you bring individuals together with a common purpose, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
    • Problem Solving: Your ability to address and resolve issues, whether with the team or project itself, is exemplary.
    This role is based in the heart of the bush, where you will immerse yourself in a beautiful area. While there is no electricity at our camp, we provide solar power and Internet access for computers. Embrace the family atmosphere and adaptability required for group life in this remarkable setting away from the city.

    If you are ready to take on an exciting adventure, make a positive impact, and thrive as a Project Manager at Daktari Bush School, we invite you to apply now. Join us in shaping a brighter future!

    Note: Please submit your application with a resume highlighting your relevant experience and a cover letter expressing your passion for this position.

    Typical day

    You will work from Monday until Friday, 8 hours a day. A typical work day starts at 8 AM, with breakfast time at 8:30 until 9 AM and lunch time from 12:30 to 14:00. Your work day will end at 17 o'clock. As the Project Manager, you should be able to organise your hours and be flexible. 

    You will ...

    Typical day

    You will work from Monday until Friday, 8 hours a day. A typical work day starts at 8 AM, with breakfast time at 8:30 until 9 AM and lunch time from 12:30 to 14:00. Your work day will end at 17 o'clock. As the Project Manager, you should be able to organise your hours and be flexible. 

    You will work mostly at our office, managing other departments' activities - we work with multiple project management softwares. You will also work alongside our camp manager monitoring our site's condition. 

    Every Saturday, any volunteer can go to town to do shopping, enjoy a lunch in a restaurant or do an excursion. DAKTARI also proposes extra-mural trips as visiting the famous Kruger National Park, the Blyde River Canyon etc.

    Free-time activities

    If you want to go out you can either rent a car and ask fellow volunteers to join you to split the cost or we also have a list of excursions that can be arranged by the Office staff. Please ask the volunteer coordinator, as the DAKTARI cars are not available for personal ...

    Free-time activities

    If you want to go out you can either rent a car and ask fellow volunteers to join you to split the cost or we also have a list of excursions that can be arranged by the Office staff. Please ask the volunteer coordinator, as the DAKTARI cars are not available for personal use.

    Interesting things to do in Limpopo Province:

    • Visit Kruger Park. DAKTARI is situated between two gates, Phalaborwa and Orpen. Time to Kruger is about 90 minutes. The entrance fee at the time of writing is ± R220 per day.

    • Moholoholo is a rehabilitation centre roughly an hour from DAKTARI. You can see raptors, honey badgers, cheetahs, lions, wild dogs, a hippo and other animals. The entrance fee is ± R 100 per person. Tours start at 9.30 am and 3 pm that last for 2 1/2 hours. Tours are the only way to visit this facility. It’s not necessary to book ahead.

    • Khamai Reptile Park has snakes, iguana, crocodiles and terrapins.

    • The Blyde River Canyon is also nearby, nestled in the Drakensberg Mountains. There is a panorama route, which takes in the Three Rondavels (mountains that look like huts), waterfalls, great viewpoints and some picturesque villages.

    • White water rafting is available on the Blyde River or on the Olifants River.

    • Other more expensive activities include micro lighting; private game reserve walks/drives, hot air balloon trips and the elephant sanctuary in Hazyview, which is fantastic. 

    • Hoedspruit has shopping, an Internet café, and many bars and restaurants with pool tables.

    • Sundowners (drinks) at “The Leopard Rock” (an outcrop at DAKTARI with great views of the Lowveld and Drakensberg mountains) are another popular evening activity. If you want to go to the “rock”, discuss with Ian and/or Michèle. Obviously this activity takes place after the children have left!

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 21 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 21 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (fluently)

    Education Requirements

    No particular focus required. at University degree or ongoing University degree. level

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Airport Pickup at Hoedspruit Airport

    We will pick you up on a Saturday in Hoedspruit. Please inform us of your itinerary so that we are able to arrange your pickup. 

    Accommodation

    You will have a private room with one bathroom in one of our accommodation sites: either a chalet, a cottage or in a 2-floor house. 

    Food & Beverages

    We have a kitchen staff preparing 3 meals per day for us: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please specify any dietary restrictions before arrival. 

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) in Hoedspruit. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    This is a long-term volunteer position for a minimum 9-month stay. As a volunteer, you will be provided accommodation, all meals + all living costs inside our camp included in exchange of your work with us. 

    Please apply for details on the available start dates. 

    The project is located 60km outside of Hoedspruit near Kruger National Park.

    You would need to either travel via plane or shuttle from Johannesburg to get to Hoedspruit.

    A member of the team will be there to meet you on arrival and bring you to camp. Note that arrivals are only possible on Saturdays. 

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    24 weeks (min. stay) 0€
    48 weeks (max. stay) 0€
    Average fees 0€/week

    Program fees

    0€ per week 24 - 48 weeks Age 21 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    24 - 48 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with DAKTARI Bush School during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    Meet your organization

    DAKTARI Bush School

    Perfect 4.6 rating (118 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2002

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Pretty

    Spoken languages: English

    About the project

    The mission of DAKTARI is to educate and inspire local children to value their environment and stimulate community development.

    Meet your organization

    OUR STORY: A LOVE STORY THAT BECAME DAKTARI

    Ian and Michele Merrifield officially opened DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage in 2006 but it was a long road to make it happen. Ian and Michele met while Ian was working as a game ranger at Tshukudu Game Lodge and Michele was volunteering there as well. While hand-raising injured zebras, wildebeest, and warthogs, Ian and Michele fell in love.

    Michele had long dreamed about living in Africa and taking care of the wildlife. When she met Ian, she was able to realise that dream. They left Tshukudu after getting married and opened a restaurant in Hoedspruit to start raising capital for their own wildlife orphanage. While there, Ian and Michele helped raise a local boy from the village named Thabo. He had almost no knowledge or understanding of his native wildlife and environment, so Ian and Michele began using the animals in their care to teach him. Thabo's understanding of conservation was typical of children in Limpopo and the idea of adding a bush school was born.

    So where did the name DAKTARI come from? Michele says, "When we were younger, there was a TV program called Daktari. It was about a family in Africa, who looked after and raised many different types of orphaned wild animals. As kids we loved it and we remember getting deeply emotionally attached to the different animals." Sounds familiar right? Michele and Ian adopted the name and so DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage was born.

    OUR MISSION

    The Mission of DAKTARI is to educate and inspire local children to value their environment and stimulate community development.

    Through the combination of the bush school and the wildlife orphanage, DAKTARI has developed an immersive educational experience for local children to learn about the wildlife around them, the environment, anti-poaching, and a wide variety of other issues, right in the middle of the bush. Our work extends into their communities through Eco Clubs at the secondary schools, career guidance for the youth, and community development projects.

    118 reviews · rating4.6

    Valeria Signer rating5

    2024 at Environment and Wildlife Education

    My time at Daktari was great. I met so many nice people, the animals are so cute and I got the impression that my work really makes a difference in the lives of the children we taught. Thank you so much for everything! ...
    Luke Llabres rating5

    2024 at Environment and Wildlife Education

    I wanted to come to Daktari to spend my summer giving back to the world in a good way while learning about myself and progressing as an individual. I was able to accomplish both while here! It's super rewarding to get to teach kids about the world around them and how they can make it a better place. ..
    I had the best time ever at Daktari. You will find the best people to work with all of this in a beautiful environment! You will not regret it if you decide to come here! You will meet so many people from different countries and of different backgrounds, making this experience such a unique ...
    Claudia Bachmann rating5

    2024 at Environment and Wildlife Education

    Out of my comfort zone - an amazing experience! I volunteered 2 weeks at DAKTARI in South Africa (close to the Kruger National Park) - caring for orphaned animals and weekly lessons for children in 8th grade from a nearby school. Besides that I had the opportunity to do a one-day Safari, some ...
    Elsa Vescovacci rating4.8

    2024 at Environment and Wildlife Education

    I volunteered at Daktari for 2 months, and my role was to teach kids (8 per week from the nearby villages) about the environment and the animals. It was really nice to spend time with the children and to better learn about them. Despite some difficulties they might have, it is great to see the ...
    erine coutant rating4.8

    2024 at Environment and Wildlife Education

    Daktari was an experience where I was able to discover many things and learn new things, both in terms of animals and also in the education of children. I really liked being with the children and a little less the animal side. then I met people who were beneficial and enriching for me, I would just ...

    Location

    Africa > Southern Africa > South Africa > Hoedspruit

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