Overview

Are you an emerging conservationist looking to leverage new technologies in your conservation practice and to become part of an empowering network of female conservation leaders? Apply now for our Women in Conservation Technology Programme! We're seeking ten early-career Tanzanian women to participate in a six-month programme that includes two in-person workshops and virtual training courses. These sessions will equip you with foundational skills in technological solutions to overcome pressing wildlife conservation challenges.

To apply, complete the application form here. Applications close on 19 April 2024, 11:59 PM EAT. Have questions? Get in touch with Victoria Mkessa at [email protected]

About the Women in Conservation Technology Programme

Technology holds the potential to help conservationists better understand and mitigate critical environmental threats. Camera traps, acoustic sensors, and networked devices improve the efficiency, scale, and quality of data collection; powerful reporting software can generate novel conservation and management insight. While devices are gaining popularity as they become cheaper and easier to use, the knowledge to employ such tools is not equally accessible.

In East Africa, women are historically underrepresented in the conservation sector. We believe that empowering underrepresented groups to become leaders in conservation technology  generates innovative ideas, novel solutions, and diverse perspectives that engender conservation success. This programme seeks to equip Tanzanian women with foundational knowledge in conservation tech to advance their careers while spreading awareness of novel solutions to their networks and home organizations. We also aim to support women in the conservation community by creating a connected network of women working with conservation tech tools across Tanzania and East Africa more broadly.

We are now accepting applications for our 2024 Women in Conservation Technology Program: Tanzania

Applications are now open for ‘Women in Conservation Technology’, a six-month training programme for early career Tanzanian women. Selected participants will explore technological solutions to regional conservation challenges. This programme has two primary objectives: First, we aim to familiarize participants with a diversity of hardware, software, and data management tools to empower participants to apply these technologies effectively in their own work. Second, the programme offers leadership training, professional development opportunities, and networking platforms to cultivate a supportive and inspiring community of women working in the conservation technology sector across East Africa.

This year, the Women in Conservation Technology programme is run in partnership by the Grumeti Fund’s Research and Innovation for the Serengeti Ecosystem (RISE), the WILDLABS Conservation Technology Community, and the international wildlife NGO, Fauna & Flora. 

Programme details

Participants will attend two in-person workshops at the RISE field institute in the Serengeti. During the five-month interim between workshops, we will facilitate virtual skills building and professional development training. After completing the programme, participants will have ongoing opportunities to engage with their cohort, the Women in Conservation Technology alumni community, and broader networks of women and conservational professionals across East Africa.

The first workshop, scheduled for June 3-7 2024 (arrive June 2 and depart June 8), will offer a hands-on introduction to hardware and software tools currently used for wildlife monitoring, wildlife protection, and human-wildlife mitigation. Led by field experts, this workshop will also include leadership training and networking sessions where participants can connect with established female leaders in the East African conservation technology sector.

Over the subsequent five months, the programme will support the participants as they apply and integrate technological tools into their conservation practice. Participants will take part in virtual trainings on WILDLABS to further develop their conservation tech skill sets while maintaining active connections with their cohort and mentors.

The cohort will reconvene for a three-day workshop December 4-6 2024 (arrive Dec 3 and depart Dec 7) on innovation and impact, exploring emerging tools and the future of the conservation technology sector. Participants will share their experiences on applying conservation technology tools in their work, highlighting their challenges, successes, and defining their future goals as conservation technology leaders. 

And after the programme’s conclusion, WILDLABS will serve as a vital hub for continued support, connection, and collaboration. Through dedicated virtual groups, our alumni network can sustain connections and access a global audience of fellow conservation technology practitioners. This platform offers opportunities to share conservation journeys, form new collaborations, and highlight positive impacts of technology in the field that will reach the worldwide WILDLABS community.

Expectations

Up to ten participants will be funded for in-country travel and on-site accommodation during the two in-person workshops. Contributions to childcare costs during these sessions are possible. Participants are required to attend the complete range of programme dates (workshop 1: June 2-8; workshop 2: December 3-7) and must submit a letter of support from their current supervisor acknowledging that the applicant has secured permission to attend both in-person and virtual trainings. A certificate will be issued upon completion.

Eligibility requirements

This programme is designed for early-career women in the conservation field. Applicants must:

1. Be a Tanzanian national and identify as a woman.

2. Be at least 18 years old and have completed a Diploma or B.Sc. in Wildlife Conservation, Forestry, Environmental Science, Zoology or a related area.

3. Have less than three years of professional experience in the conservation field (not including time spent on education).

4. Be passionate about conservation and curious about technology. Individuals with a demonstrated interest in securing a position as a research assistant, field programme staff, or pursuing an advanced degree related to conservation science are strongly encouraged to apply. 

5. Individuals already employed with a conservation organization are encouraged to apply, with the support of their supervisor.

6. Be able to commit to both in-person workshops and participate in virtual programming.

How to apply

Applicants must apply using this Google form and attach the following supplementary materials:

1. WILDLABS account username. If you don't have an account yet, take the time to create one here https://wildlabs.net/user/register 

2. Scanned copy of Diploma/B.Sc./M.Sc. certificates.

3. Copy of National Identification Card, Passport or valid Driver's License.

4. CV/Resume (max 2 pages).

5. One letter of reference from a lecturer, employer, or mentor that can speak to your career aspirations and interests.

Guidance for reference letters – Referrers should clarify their relationship with the applicant in their letter and comment upon the applicant's suitability for this position and how it would benefit their career goals. Please address the letter to RISE at Grumeti Fund. 

6. Signed permission from your current supervisor explicitly acknowledging permission to attend both in-person workshops (June 2-8 2024; Dec 3-7 2024) and to participate in virtual programming. Letters that do not include acknowledgement of specific dates will not be accepted. 

Applications are due by midnight EAT on 19 April 2024. Successful applicants will be informed by early May 2024. For questions or inquiries, contact Victoria Mkessa at [email protected]

Programme Partners

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 programme 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 programmes that empower people to embrace new approaches to conservation. 

Learn more about the Women in Conservation Technology Programme

The Women in Conservation Technology programme was launched in 2022 with the overarching goal of supporting East African women in the field of conservation technology.  Learn more about our previous programmes below:

• Women in Conservation Technology Programme, Tanzania 2023

• Women in Conservation Technology Programme, Kenya 2022