from 2,337€

Brilliant 4.7rating (98)

Volunteer Management Assistant

location
12 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 21 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Especially good for

Age 21+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

You'll be in charge of coordinating volunteers' activities, joining them on their every day assignments and working with the staff to help run the program efficiently

Overview of Role

IPBio is looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to support in the expansion of our volunteer program that is willing to stay for a minimum period of 3 months. IPBio currently has 2 full-time staff member dedicated to the management of the volunteer program, however, with the increasing ...

About the program

Overview of Role

IPBio is looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to support in the expansion of our volunteer program that is willing to stay for a minimum period of 3 months. IPBio currently has 2 full-time staff member dedicated to the management of the volunteer program, however, with the increasing numbers of volunteers interested in participating in our programs we are looking for a Volunteer Coordinator who can support the Volunteer Manager in organizing the daily tasks of volunteers.

Role Description:

  • Coordinating volunteers in their diverse daily activities
  • Ensuring the well-being of the volunteers
  • Supervising the organization and cleanliness of the volunteer house
  • Organizing weekend activities for the volunteers
  • Hosting events/dinners and providing entertainment for volunteers
  • Administrating the volunteer program
  • Reporting concerns and intermediating requests to management
  • Coordinating group activities like Garden Day´s
  • Supporting in the preparation of material that provides exposure to the program such as volunteer videos, ads and updates on social media

Living at IPBio

Every day you will wake up to the sound of birds, monkeys and frogs and can explore the reserves grounds. Our town is called the Cave Capital of Brazil so volunteers often visit our state parks to explore the caves.  Hike into the dense forest and visits to waterfalls are also common activities. Bouy cross, big balloons, are used to drift down the rivers, some of the river route are 3 hours long! After work volunteers can swim on the reserve deck, organize dinners, watch movies, read and go wildlife watching. On the weekend we often have a barbecue or organize dinner at a restaurant. Often there are social events or parties in the community that volunteers can go to.

Location

The Atlantic Forest stretches from the northeastern to the southern regions of Brazil and northern Argentina and southeastern Paraguay. Five hundred years ago, the Atlantic Forest of Brazil covered approximately 330 million acres, but today only 7% remains. In the Ribeira Valley, our region of the Atlantic Forest, we are at the footsteps of 21% of the 7% that is left, it being largest contiguous section of the Atlantic Forest. Despite the forests diminished state it still ranks as a global conservation priority. Although it is now just a small fraction of the size of the Amazon rainforest, the Atlantic Forest still harbors a range of biological diversity similar to that of the Amazon. 

The Atlantic Forest harbors around 2,200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians – 5% of the vertebrates on Earth. This includes nearly 200 bird species found nowhere else. The Betary Reserve is located next to one of the most famous Brazilian State Parks named PETAR. The region is called the Cave Capital as it known for containing over 300 spectacular caves, some which are accessible to tourists.



Typical day

A typical work day starts at 8:30 am . While other volunteers are expected to start at 9am, we ask the volunteer coordinator to meet the volunteer manager half an hour before the other volunteers arrive to plan/prepare for the days activities. Work ends at 4:00 pm along with the other volunteers. 

A ...

Typical day

A typical work day starts at 8:30 am . While other volunteers are expected to start at 9am, we ask the volunteer coordinator to meet the volunteer manager half an hour before the other volunteers arrive to plan/prepare for the days activities. Work ends at 4:00 pm along with the other volunteers. 

A typical day is difficult to describe as a volunteer coordinators role is very much influenced by the projects and volunteers roles that are occuring at the time. This could be support a volunteer in the field conduct the tree inventory or hiking with volunteers to search for frogs in the amphibian project. 

In addition the volunteer coordinator will make sure people are taking the correct equipment into the field like the volunteer phone. When not actively accompanying a volunteer, the coordinator will support with communications work such as posting volunteer ads, creating promotional photos or videos but this will also vary depending on the specific coordinators skills.


Free-time activities

Caves: Iporanga is called “The Cave Capital of Brazil” with over 400 caves in the town. Below are just the highlights.

  • Casa da Pedra is the world’s largest cave entrance of 215 meters. The trip involves a 2-hour hike to the opening where there is a place to sit down and have a picnic and swim ...

Free-time activities

Caves: Iporanga is called “The Cave Capital of Brazil” with over 400 caves in the town. Below are just the highlights.

  • Casa da Pedra is the world’s largest cave entrance of 215 meters. The trip involves a 2-hour hike to the opening where there is a place to sit down and have a picnic and swim and then a hike back.
  • Temimina Cave has a large opening in the ceiling illuminating its oddly shaped diagonal garden. Then you enter into a dark cave where at the end you find a natural shower hole.
  • Nucleo Santana is a group of caves and is the most commonly visited as it has a wide range of different types of caves. In some caves you can swim.

Tubing/Boia Cross: is a sport where by you get on a big balloon and float down the river. There are various waterways you can do in Iporanga, some more radical and some in the big river which is very relaxing and can last 3 hours.

Cananeia: has various islands with dolphins swimming in between which are very easy to visualize. It is also known for its stunning beaches, awesome boat tours, great restaurants and the mangrove reserve where there are many crabs.

Waterfalls: Iporanga has many waterfalls. “Sem Fim” is a small waterfall walking distance from the reserve. “Vale das Ostras” has 12 large waterfalls in a row.

Quilombos: during the era of slavery many slaves would run away from the plantations and create settlements hidden in the forest. These communities live in relative isolation and you can visit their small towns. For some of the Quilombos the tours include travelling their by boat and having a traditional lunch at one of the families homes.

Social Events:

  • Dinners: there are many nice restaurants were volunteers can have dinner, some more classy like Casarao and some with traditional Brazilian food. There is also a great fish restaurant. Often volunteer will eat out on the weekends.
  • Town Parties: the are a couple of bars in town, some have pool tables and some have dancing areas. On holidays, there are usually town festivals on the streets.
  • BBQ: it is very common to have a BBQ on the weekend which is often accompanied with the traditional Brazilian drink called Caipirinha.


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 (intermediate level)

Required Documents

CV

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

Fast Learner, Initiative, Responsible, Physically Fit, Personnel Skills, Communications Skills, Management and Administration Skills

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:30 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by IPBio - Reserva Betary

This covers your accommodation, full access to the reserve, internet access and the use of any equipment we have. Volunteers will pay for their own food and cook for themselves. Volunteers are also responsible for paying for any extra costs such as travel costs, visa costs etc. Volunteers are also responsible for covering their extra activities costs such as dinner out (without drinks) which ranges from 15 to 30 reais or PETAR State Park tour of caves (including a guide, equipment and entrance fee) which costs around 100 to 250 reais depending on how many volunteers go.

Accommodation

Volunteers will stay at the Darwin Guest House, situated on the reserve itself, which accommodates up to 14 people in 8 rooms. Two rooms are collective rooms and 6 rooms are single rooms. All rooms have air conditioning, closet space and electricity outlets. Individual rooms have a desk with a chair. The house has 4 bathrooms with hot showers, a washing machine and has a fully equipped kitchen where volunteers can cook. A cleaning lady provides basic cleaning services for public areas and will provide fresh bed linen once a week. However, it is also the volunteer’s responsibility to maintain and clean the house; we take this very seriously. Shops are located in the town of Iporanga 6km away from the reserve, which you can walk to or get a taxi, where there are various shops where you can by all the supplies you will need from groceries to toiletries. There is an organic small herb and vegetable patch volunteers can use in the gardens.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in Sao Paulo. We assist you to find cheap flights to Brazil. 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 Brazil provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

As the volunteer program is all year long we need a coordinator all year long. Minimum stay for a volunteer coordinator in 3 months so we can train you up and you can feel comfortable leading projects.

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

Program fees

12 weeks (min. stay) 2,337€
50 weeks (max. stay) 9,741€
Average fees 194€/week

Program fees

194€ per week 12 - 50 weeks Age 21 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

12 - 50 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 IPBio - Reserva Betary during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

IPBio - Reserva Betary

Brilliant 4.7 rating (98 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2014

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Imran

Spoken languages: English

About the project

IPBio is a nonprofit NGO that develops projects on biodiversity and environmental education for the purpose of ecological conservation.

Meet your organization

The Biodiversity Research Institute (IPBio) is a place where research meets conservation. IPBio is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that develops and supports projects in environmental education and scientific research on biodiversity, ecology as well as on the behavior of species of fauna and flora of Brazilian ecosystems.

IPBio’s mission is to encourage conservation, management and sustainable use of natural resources; and promote the development of eco-tourism and cultural projects.

In 2009, the Institute received the title of `Advanced Outpost` by the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve, linked to UNESCO, and had this title renewed in May of 2015. IPBio's success as a pioneer in Brazilian research has allowed it to expand and in the near future will be celebrating the inauguration of its new research center based in the Amazon Rainforest.

The IPBio projects seek to include the general public, not only scientists, and communicate the wonders of nature to all. We believe that humanity must understand, value and connect with nature before we can conserve it.

98 reviews · rating4.7

Lloyd Vines rating5

2018 at Volunteer Management Assistant

When recalling my experience at The Betary Reserve, I can’t help but smile so big. The time spent trekking through the North Atlantic Forrest collecting data on its diverse wildlife and plant life were some of the best memories I have. Its truly a hands on experience. If you like to get out into ...
Mac Hare rating5

2017 at Volunteer Management Assistant

During a trip through South America, I set aside a month long period to volunteer at an NGO. I could not have chosen a more suitable location than the IPBio Reserve, situated in the diminishing Atlantic Rainforest. The reserve is situated in a very unique position, in that it is an unparalleled ...
Miguel Almeida rating4.8

2017 at Volunteer Management Assistant

After graduating from the University of Bath with an Economics degree and working in London for a couple years, I decided it was time to travel and do something radically different that is actually worth doing. Whilst I have been interested in environmental research and conservation for some time, I ...
Riad Mahi rating4.6

2017 at Volunteer Management Assistant

I am a French engineering student, and I stayed at Reserve Betary for 8 weeks. It was a beautiful life experience, I learned a lot thanks to the different projects that they provides. I decided to apply for the volunteer coordinator role, because it allowed me to contribute to the charity’s ...
I chose this program to fulfill an internship requirement for my degree program but the IPBio Amazon volunteer program went above and beyond my expectations. Not only did I have the opportunity to engage in meaningful work everyday either in the field or in the local community in Alter do Chao but I ...
The reserve is absolutely amazing! It's so peaceful and beautiful, and all the people working there are really lovely. As a biologist, I got to learn so much about Brazilian biodiversity and the methods used to research it. Disconnecting from everyday life and connecting with nature has been an ...

Location

Americas > South America > Brazil > Iporanga

You might also be interested in

Contact Imran
  Very high response rate
English

Most volunteers ask about


Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Imran
Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy