European Solidarity Corps (ESC) 2025 Conservation Assistant

We are looking for new full-time volunteers to join our international team protecting birds and their habitats and inspiring and educating people about birds and nature in the Maltese Islands. Volunteers will be based in our offices and at our nature reserves in Malta. Those who have previously participated in a long-term Erasmus+ European Voluntary Service (EVS) scheme or long-term Erasmus+ Volunteering scheme are not eligible to apply for these positions.

Are you:

• Aged 18-30
• A citizen of one of the programme or partner countries
• Outgoing, friendly, keen to meet new people, socialise, and experience a different culture
• Interested in improving bird, flora and other taxa identification skills
• Interested in inspiring and educating people about birds and the natural world
• Willing to develop administration, time management, numeracy, and interpersonal skills
• Willing to learn and having an adaptable approach in line with the needs of a charitable organisation’s structure including working flexible and occasional long hours, which could include weekends and public holidays.

The European Solidarity Corps programme will provide you:

• Accommodation close to our offices in Ta’ Xbiex/in the northern part of the island close to our nature reserves, or with host families
• Utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and internet
• Reimbursement of the flight and other transport costs (bus, train, metro) to/from Malta, limited according to distance
• €380 monthly allowance
• Private HEALTH insurance provided by Henner

Description of duties: 

Position: Conservation Assistant (1 position)

Dates: 1st July 2025 – 1st May 2026 (10 Months)

The Conservation department is looking for a candidate to assist the department in fulfilling a number of duties related to our core conservation work.

We are looking for motivated individuals:

• Having experience or knowledge in any of the following disciplines: biology, zoology, ecology, geography, environmental sciences
• Having experience or a background in wildlife crime work and/or rehabilitation of wildlife
• Having a hands-on approach to current conservation challenges in Malta, and are willing to work round the clock and occasionally during weekends from office to field
• Ideally having a valid driving licence.

The chosen candidate will fulfil the following role:

Bird rescue and care 

BirdLife Malta runs a 24/7 voluntary injured bird recovery scheme, answering calls made by the public who encounter shot or injured birds in their property or in the countryside. Accordingly, assistance is required in picking up and ensuring injured birds brought to BirdLife Malta receive urgent veterinary attention, and are rehabilitated with the aim of releasing them back into the wild. Duties will include:

• Answering calls by the public, picking up and ensuring injured birds brought to BirdLife receive urgent veterinary attention and first aid
• Feeding and caring for injured birds requiring short or long-term rehabilitation through various stages in their recovery so they can be released in to the wild
• Ensuring excellent hygiene to minimise health risks to birds and humans
• Providing feedback to people calling BirdLife Malta regarding injured bird cases
• Keeping records and case files of all cases of injured birds, reporting to Conservation Manager, Conservation Officer and veterinary surgeons on all cases of wild birds under our care
• Establishing and innovating feeding protocols, care and maintenance of injured birds ensuring they can be released at their outmost physical form

Applications close on Saturday 25th January 2025 at 23:00 GMT. Zoom/Skype interviews will take place shortly afterwards. Please note that incomplete and/or late applications will not be taken into consideration.