Vacancy announcement:
Free the Bears, Vietnam

Awareness, Communication and Education (ACE) Officer

Applications are sought from suitable individuals to fill the role of Awareness, Communication and Education (ACE) Officer with Free the Bears at Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary, Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam.

About Free the Bears work in Vietnam

Free the Bears is an international Non-Governmental Organisation founded in 1995 to protect, preserve and enrich the lives of bears throughout the world. Since 2008, Free the Bears maintains a presence in Vietnam.

Working in close partnership with Cat Tien National Park (CTNP) and Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST), Free the Bears is implementing an ambitious programme aimed at supporting the elimination of the illegal trade in bear bile through development of Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary (CTBS) in order to house Asiatic black bears and Sun bears rescued from the bile farming industry.

The CTBS is already home to more than 45 rescued, with further expansion of the sanctuary planned in order to increase capacity and support further rescues. Multiple facilities form the sanctuary from bear houses to a veterinary hospital. The recently completed Bear Discovery Centre aims to promote improved attitudes towards bears and long-term sustainability of the sanctuary.

Job Description

The role of Awareness, Communication and Education (ACE) Officer involves managing the Education programme in Vietnam to achieve agreed-upon goals and objectives to further improve attitudes towards bears from Vietnamese and foreigner visitor. Ideally, the applicant will have tertiary degree in tourism, marketing, hospitality or similar subject and have several years of relevant ecotourism experience. In addition, experience working in a captive animal setting would be held in high regard.

In this role, you will be responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of the Education programme that include but is not limited to school and group tours, private guided tours, preparation of education materials, and merchandise management. You will regularly brief the Sanctuary Manager on sanctuary matters and actively support the development the environmental enrichment programme. This position includes components of administration, fundraising and logistics to ensure the smooth running of the sanctuary.

This is a full-time position based at Free the Bears’ Vietnam Bear Sanctuary in Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai Province. The applicant should consider the ability to live and work at the remote area within Cat Tien National Park.

This role is subject to a 2-month probation period.

Experience

Essential

• Strong organisation and public-speaking skills.
• Vietnamese language proficiency, good command of written and spoken English language.
• Minimum 1 year experience working within an eco-tourism field, NGO, environmental government agency or similar nature education field.
• Flexibility and ability to cope with changes in work priorities at short notice.
• Motorbike driver’s license
• Ability to work weekends and public holidays as required.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Awareness and respect for cultural values in a diverse team setting.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Desirable

• Experience working in education programmes with wildlife.
• Existing understanding of animal welfare and wildlife conservation.
• Car driver’s license.

Benefits and Terms

• Full-time one-year contract with potential to extend based on performance, subject to 2-month probation period and with some weekend work expected.
• Competitive salary of 10,000,000 – 16,000,000 VND gross per month, based on qualifications and experience.
• Social & Health insurance. Unemployment insurance of the employee will be paid in accordance with the regulations on insurance after passing probation period.
• Medical Insurance.
• After completion of one year, a bonus of one month’s salary to be paid at Lunar New Year.
• Opportunities for international travel following probationary period.
• A rare opportunity to develop new skills and improve existing skillsets in a unique and exciting environment.
• Be part of an international organisation driving change in the fields of wildlife conservation and animal welfare.

Applications

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume by email to [email protected] with the subject title Vietnam ACE Officer.

Closing date for applications: 25th November 2022

Start Date: 15th December 2022, or as soon after as possible

Organization: Free the Bears
Location: Dong Nai
Application deadline: 2022-11-25
Send application to: [email protected]