Deadline: 30 June 2015
Open to: early-career conservation professionals from Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia
Fellowship: free accommodation and boarding at the training venue and during excursions, covered health insurance and visa application, contribution towards travel expenses
Description
The Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme aims to strengthen organisations from the nature conservation sector in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, by developing the personal capacity of early-career conservation professionals to overcoming global biodiversity loss. It combines technical learning, management training and network development support. The programme puts high-potential individuals into the centre of capacity development, while closely cooperating with delegating institutions and promoting the participants’ commitment and contribution to them. The programme’s modules will be conducted in English. The programme structure can be found HERE.
Key features of the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme:
- The only extra-occupational training programme for established conservation professionals from both government and non-governmental organizations of the region;
- A broad biodiversity policy focus;
- Promoting professional excellence;
- Focusing on technical, management and leadership skills;
- Considering the ecological, historical and political linkages among the transition countries of the Eurasian region;
- Fostering a professional network in support of regional cooperation in biodiversity conservation;
- Combination of highly interactive seminars held in English language, field-trips and inter-sessional assignments, e-learning as well as a transfer project.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for participation in the programme, applicants need to fulfill the following criteria:
- Submission of a complete application before the deadline;
- Nationality and place of residence in one of the eligible countries (see the list of the eligible countries HERE);
- University diploma in a field that is relevant to the programme and its focus (Biology, Geography, Agriculture, Silviculture, Landscape Planning, Nature Conservation, Environmental Policy, Macroeconomics, Law – or other similar subjects relevant to nature conservation practice);
- At least 3 years of working experience in the nature conservation sector (work experience during academic studies can be taken into account);
- Currently working in an institution concerned with nature conservation (e.g. governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGO), research institutes or similar);
- Age should preferably not exceed 35 years;
- Be fluent in English, both written and spoken;
- Endorsement of application by current employer.
Fellowship
Participation in the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme is free of charge. The participants will receive free accommodation and boarding at the training venue and during excursions, as well as a contribution towards their travel expenses. Health insurance during stays in Germany and visa application fees will also be covered by the organizers. The proportion of travel expenses to be covered by participants or their home organizations is explained HERE.
How to apply?
The deadline for application is 30 June 2015. Applicants should submit their application documents electronically to ktf@bfn-vilm.de. The following documents are required for application:
- Completed Application form;
- Diploma of highest academic degree;
- Language diploma if available – highest level obtained (please note that English language skills are a prerequisite to participate in the programme. However, an official language diploma is not part of the eligibility criteria of the programme. If no language diploma is available, English language skills will be tested via telephone interviews and/or online examinations, in addition to the self assessment on the application form);
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Nomination letter of employing institution;
- Endorsement form filled in by employing institution and one additional person/institution;
- Scan copy of passport.
Please name the application form and all other files with your name (e.g., application_firstname_lastname.doc) and send the documents as word or pdf files. All of the documents should be written in English. Only the endorsement letter can be written in Russian as well. If you do not receive confirmation of the receipt of your application within three working days, or in the event of other problems, please contact andrea.strauss@bfn-vilm.de.
For more information please check the official website.
