Research and Nature Conservation Internship in Brazil

GAIN PRACTICAL RESEARCH EXPERIENCE PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY AND CREATING SUSTAINABLE CHANGE IN BRAZIL!

This is an incredible opportunity for those with a background in ecology and biology to gain research experience, develop their data collection skills, and even get work published.

Travel to the Itacaré region of Brazil and study the regional populations of the Mangrove tree. You’ll map habitats, catalog species, and monitor the area’s rich biodiversity. In this, not only will you help to bolster the region’s unique flora and fauna, you’ll protect the livelihoods of local communities that rely on fishing and subsistence agriculture. As well as your conservation work, you’ll have the chance to participate in environmental education programs that aim to form a new generation of environmental leaders in the local community.

On top of all this, you’ll live and work in an area of unparalleled natural beauty situated between the Mata Atlantica Rainforest and the Atlantic Ocean, featuring secluded beaches, picturesque rivers, and gorgeous waterfalls.

Learning objectives:

  • Practical experience of ecological data collection, habitat monitoring, and scientific research
  • An understanding of how sustainable and environmental conservation can work best in unison with local community development and education
  • A knowledge of community uplift and youth development
  • Insight into international nonprofit work and community development
  • International work experience

ORGANIZATION

ETIV do Brasil is a nonprofit NGO operating in the Itacaré region of Bahia, Brazil since 2015. With an emphasis on youth development, they aim to advance social justice, ecological conservation, and sustainable development through a range of projects in the region. They also place a high priority on offering professional and personal development for their interns through hands-on experience working with local communities in international settings; or Education Through International Volunteering (ETIV)

TASKS & REQUIREMENTS

As an intern, you’ll work closely with your supervisors, a biologist and mangrove specialist, to research the region’s various habitats and monitor biodiversity. You’ll also play a role in devising and facilitating educational programs for the local community to help act on your scientific findings.

What you’ll do

The key tasks for interns on this program will be:

  • Monitoring regional populations of the mangrove tree
  • Habitat mapping
  • Data collection, analysis and reporting
  • Cataloging species of flora and fauna
  • Making an inventory of and monitoring biodiversity in the area
  • Participating in educational programs to raise awareness among local communities of the importance of conservation
  • Taking part in reforestation programs, beach clean-ups, and other community-based conservation events and activities
  • Also possibilities for people that are keen to publish and/or need to do research or write a thesis as part of their university degree
Requirements
  • Education or background in Biology, Ecology, Conservation or related field
  • A passion for environmental conservation
  • An interest in community development and education
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • If you want to also get involved with community outreach programs, then basic Portuguese is required. For the research itself, English is sufficient
  • Must be over 18 years of age
  • Your own laptop

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

Interns stay in one of several apartments within the complex of the organization. Each has a well-equipped kitchen, electricity, Wi-Fi, filtered drinking water, and the complex itself has a shared pool and a garden where interns can enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables. A dedicated office space is available to interns in the complex. There’s also a cat and other pets living there too.

Located in the Passagem neighborhood of Itacaré , the accommodation is a short walk from the historic downtown and the closest beach, Praia Concha. Itacaré is a quaint surf town located in the north eastern part of Brazil along the Cocoa Coast (so called for its vast cocoa plantations). It’s situated right between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mata Atlantica Rainforest. So, you can expect stunning scenery with beautiful beaches, waterfalls, jungles, and coconut trees.

DATES & RATES

Internships generally take place between March and November. Start and end dates of the internship are flexible and will be discussed during the application process.

What you’ll pay (2023 rates)

2 months USD 1,800
3 months USD 2,550
4 months USD 3,300
5 months USD 3,900
6 months USD 4,500

What you are paying for:
  • Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
  • Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
  • Accommodation in shared apartment
  • Taxi transfer from Ilheus airport to your accommodation in Itacare (approx. 1.5 hours)
  • Assistance with your visa arrangement & other preparations
  • An orientation program with your supervisor.
  • On the ground support during your stay
  • Regular check-ins during your internship with you and your supervisor.
  • Access to free workshops with a focus on career development
  • Troubleshooting if needed
  • A reference letter at the end of your internship
Excludes:
  • Flights
  • Visa, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
  • Meals, drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
  • Costs for additional excursions or activities
QUICK FACTS
Bahia, Brazil
Education and conservation NGO
Research, Monitoring, Data analysis, reporting, education
Min. 3 months
From USD 1,800
READ MORE REVIEWSHow to Apply
INTERNSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
  • Gain practical field experience in scientific research, data collection, and ecological conservation
  • Benefit from the expert mentorship of a mangrove specialist and biologist
  • Make a positive impact on the local community, environment and youth.
  • Immerse yourself in the unique, rich, Afro-Brazilian, Bahian culture
  • Travel to the stunning Cocoa Coast of Brazil and enjoy the areas stunning natural beauty and the bounty of activities available
  • Take lessons in portuguese, surfing and/or capoeira during the internship at a small extra fee
3 MONTHS USD 2,550
4 MONTHS USD 3,300
5 MONTHS USD 3,900

See Detailed Rates

MORE INTERNSHIPS WITH THIS NONPROFIT

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV with us.

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.

INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.

CONFIRMATION
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you  all the information you need.

PAYMENT
We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit. Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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