EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY SERVICE: PRIMATE MATTERS
Dear partners, friends and EVS-enthusiasts,
With this invitation we would like to inform you about our upcoming free EVS-positions. AAP Primadomus, a SpanishAnimal Welfare NGO, is accredited since 2013 to welcome EVS volunteers as EVS Receiving Organization. Soon, we will be applying again to the Erasmus+ Programme for new EVS volunteers. Therefore, AAP Primadomus is looking fortwo EVScandidates for 2016.
What:European Voluntary Service as a volunteer Animal Caretaker at AAP Primadomus, Villena (Alicante), Spain
When:From February1st, 2017
Duration:Full 12 months
How many:Two EVSvolunteers for Animal Care
Age and residency:17-30 yrs, of EU-nationality andwith residencyin the Netherlands
How to apply:Send your motivation letter and CV to
mentioning “EVSPD-2016R3” in the subject of your mail
OR
WhenFrom 1th of February 2017 till July 2017 (6 months)
From 1th of August 2017 till February 2018 (6 months)
Duration Full 6 months per EVS position
Age and residency:17-30 yrs, of EU-nationality and with residencyin the Netherlands
How to apply:Send your motivation letter and CV to
mentioning “EVSPD-2016R3” in the subject of your mail
Application deadline:7th of September at the latest
BACKGROUND ON RECEIVING ORGANISATION
AAP Primadomus is the Spanish auxiliary branch of (Stichting) AAP, a European NGO that works as rescue and rehabilitationcenter of exotic animalsas well as in prevention and education (see also The animals that end up at AAP Primadomus often come from illegal trade, circuses, illegal zoos or directly from private owners. The foundation specializes in the rescue and rehabilitation of primates. Prior to their arrival atAAP Primadomus they oftenhave been seriously abused and severely neglected. At AAP Primadomus the animals receive the professional care needed for their recovery. The aim is to make the animals mentally and physically healthy and to place them in a more natural environment, such as a natural enclosure at a renowned zoo.
SOCIAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
As an EVS volunteer at AAP Primadomus you will be part of a group of volunteers who work within AAP Primadomus. The volunteer will be in very close contact with employed staff, other volunteers and interns.
AAP Primadomus is located in Villena, a small city in Alicante province. It’s a place with a lot of history since the marquesado of Villena exists from the medieval period. It is a land with strong traditions, the influence of the Moors and Christians periods is still visible in the main festivities of the city. Villena is not far from Alicante and its beaches and Valencia, one of the most important cities in Spain. Villena is well connected by train and motorway with these cities. Despite not being a big city (35.000 inhabitants), Villena has everything that a big city is supposed to have; a library, theater, a lot of shops in the city center, and the cinema located in House of Culture, as well as many cultural activities. With this project we hope to supportyoung people from Europe to get acquainted with Villena and its inhabitants. Furthermore we hope to inspire local young people by meeting volunteers from other cultures to think about their position in Europe regarding animal welfare.
We would also like to point out that AAPPrimadomus has two volunteers apartmentsin the residential area of the city. Here you will live together with other (EVS) volunteers. Tasks to be performed with regard to the volunteers apartments are also part of the EVSexperience.
Youwillact as a contact between the inhabitants and AAP Primadomus staff, which will give you the opportunity to improve your managerial and social skills.In general, staying at the AAPPrimadomus-volunteers’apartmentgives you an opportunity to participate in social activities and learn more about the Spanish culture.On occasion theAAP Primadomus team also organizesinformal meetings, where all volunteers are welcomed to join.
AAP’s headquarters in Almere, The Netherlands are well experienced in implementing EVS as AAP Almere has hosted EVS-volunteers since 2008. They will facilitate Primadomus in this project by acting as CoordinatingOrganization (CO) and – if needed – also as Sending Organisation. The staff of Primadomus takes care of thorough training and guidance of all new volunteers. Moreover, during your project you will participate in trainings organized centrally by the Spanish National Agency, which will enable you to come into contact with EVS-volunteers from other projects in Spain.
ACTIVITIES
As a volunteer you will be working inan active and flexible organization. Despite the fixedproject description, there are many opportunities for personal growth when volunteering at AAP Primadomus.
As Animal Care EVS volunteer,within the EVS year you will experience a variety of tasks. It is possible to rotate between the four animal care departments of Primadomus, i.e. kitchen and diets, quarantine, socialization and long term carefor primates andchimpanzees. At all departments you will actively take part in the caretaking process.
In general, as AAP-EVS-volunteer, you will be able to learn fromworking in a field with a low power-distance. If there are changes in the volunteer work you are doing that you think could benefit the organization then you are more than welcome to share your opinion with your tutor or teamleader.
AAP Primadomus prefers to have volunteers for 1 year. The volunteers will have the opportunity to experience multiple aspectsof animal carewithinthe organization. There will be fixed patterns and tasks you have to perform but after some time there will be opportunities to change tasks as well.To a large extent, this is also dependent on your abilities, interests and especially attitude.
AAP PRIMADOMUS POSITION OFFERS
Animal Caretaker
(2 long term EVSvolunteers)
•Works 36 hours a week in a team of experienced animal caretakers and will be trained to carry out daily activities independently.
•Is responsible for cleaning the animals’ enclosures.
•Assists in furnishing the animals’ enclosures, e.g. replacing floor covering of enclosures and erecting beams and other structures.
•Makes enrichment items for the animals to stimulate natural behaviorand keeps an eye on their overallbehavior.
•Helps toprepare food and feeds the animals.
•Takes care of small maintenance.
•Reports peculiarities to the experienced caretakers and takes part in writing daily reports on the animals’ health and care.
•Helps in rescue cases as a driver.
•Assists in tasks related to educational activities, such as guided tours, workshops or visits of school pupils.
At AAP the main focus is on the animals’ welfare so when being an EVS volunteer the majority of your activities will be directly linked to this principle. The teamleader and experienced caretakers will decideon what kind of responsibilitiesyou will be assigned; this depends on the progress you are making and the confidence, reliability and understanding you show.This means that activities of several EVSers might differ. How your individual responsibilities and tasks evolve during your EVS project is largely dependent on you!
In addition to working in animalcare, at Primadomus an EVSproject also offers the possibilityto acquire some experience at other departments of this growing NGO. Dependingon your abilities, interests and attitude, you may be able to assist in other related work.
Also, all EVS-ers at Primadomus will be involved in proper management of the Primadomus volunteers’apartment (for details see section ‘Social and Working Environment’), which will challenge your social and managerial skills.In the second half of your own EVS-project (by then you are a ‘senior’) you will assist the staff in welcoming new junior EVS-ers, guide them during the introduction to Primadomus and the volunteers apartments.
PROFILE OF THE EVSVOLUNTEER
Becausethis project is for a maximum period of time in theEVSproject, AAP Primadomus, as a Host Organization,hascertainrequirements in regard to volunteer skills.
Basic requirements of an EVS: 17-30 years old,EUnationalityand residency in the Netherlands
•Being able to speak good English
Good communication is important for your own safety and that of your colleagues. As an EVS volunteer you work with potentially dangerous animals.In Spain general use of English is not common. However, all staff members (volunteers and workers) at Primadomus are required to have good English skills. You will develop your English skills further by communicating with your fellow volunteers. If volunteers donot speak English we will have problems communicating. Spanish is not required but a plus; if you are interested to improve Spanish you will have the opportunity to do so.
•Being motivated
A project that lasts for 12 months needs motivated volunteers.Please let us know in your motivation letter why you want to join the project.
•Be aware that working around animals it is hard and physical work
Animal Careinvolves a lot of physical work; your work will involve up to 60% cleaning but you can enjoy the animals in the process. Unfortunately we cannot make exceptions as to the amount of cleaning, that is why you need to be passionate about the animals otherwise you will not enjoy this EVS experience.
•Having affinity and some experience in working with animals
AAP’smain activity is taking care of exotic animals thatneed temporary housing and/or specialized care. The volunteer must realize that most animals show signs of trauma and need to be re-socialized with conspecifics.It’s important thatthe animalsarenothandled as pets. We call this the ‘hands off policy’. The interaction between the staff and the animal should always be minimal. The fact that the animals develop towards a more natural life should be the cause of satisfaction.
•Be able to live in a remote area
Primadomus is located in a remote natural area, so you need to be able to work in these conditions. Foreigners can sometimes have a vision of Spain that differs from reality. Villena is a nice small city in the mainland, which offers you a good range of activities to enjoy the countryside. However, despite the fact that Villena citizens are very welcoming and warm, few of them excel the English language, which means you will have to make efforts to enlarge your social network. AAP Primadomus is placed in a natural area, which also means things can require more efforts than if it would be placed in the city. All this requires that EVS volunteers need to show high levels of initiative and motivation. Being aware of these conditions will make your volunteer period meet with your expectations.
•Having no allergies
Having allergies for animal fur is problematic as you have to be around animals on a daily basis.
•Being able to deal with strict protocols
For your safety and for the sake of the animals there are strict protocols to work by. You must be able to work according to these protocols. Mistakes can be dangerous for you, your colleagues and the animals.
•Having no problem working one day in the weekend
Animals don’t have a weekend break like we do. This means while being involved in animal care you might have to work during weekend days. You will always have two consecutive days off per week.
TASKS PERFORMED BY SENDING ORGANISATION
•AAP operates with sending costs of480 euro for each volunteer in all of its projects.
•In all cases, AAP Almere supports this project by acting as Coordinating Organisation (CO).
•For preparation,the SO is much advised to providethe volunteer with thebook “Embracing uncertainty” (by Susan Jeffers). This books has proven to be very valuable in preparing the volunteer for going abroad and for being able to handle the EVS project successfully.
•The SO is in charge of all preparations of the volunteer prior to his/her arrival to AAP Primadomus.
•The SO is responsible for making sure the AXAinsurance is completely in order before arrival of the volunteer. Uponarrival we need a copy of the AXA card from the volunteer and an enrolment form.
•Reimbursement of travel costs is always transferred to the volunteers’bank account (or to their SO in case they have taken care of advanced payment) after the first month of the project.
IMPORTANT NOTICES FOR VOLUNTEER
•Erasmus+ Programme plans to enable each volunteer to learn Spanish through an online learning course. If not yet available at the starting date AAP Primadomus will arrange for linguisticsupport by other means.Thissupport is focused on basic communication skills and pronunciation in the Spanish language.After this initial period, the volunteers can continue the language lessonsin their own time andat their own cost.
•For commuter traffic of all it’s staff (transport to and from work) Primadomus hasa car available. At the volunteers’apartment there is a bike you can use to move through the city.
•The accommodation will be in the AAP Primadomus volunteers’apartment, where also other volunteers and interns live. This house operateson a dormitory basis. You will have to share the livingroom, kitchen and bathroom with other volunteers; it’s important that you are fully aware of this fact. You will have your own bedroom.
•It is very wise to save some money before coming to Spain. The pocket and food money is decent for an EVSvolunteer but won’t leave you a lot of space to explore the country. If you really want to enjoy your EVS experience, explore the country and meet up with EVSvolunteers in other cities we highly recommend having some other resources other than the basic EVSallowances. Another important fact is that your CIGNAinsurance does not payin advance. This means in practice that you have to pay in advance for your healthcare and have to wait some weeks before CIGNA reimbursesthe money to your bank account.
•If you, atthe moment of applying,have a Sending Organization (SO), please add the contact data (name, mobile number and direct e-mail) of your SO in your application letter. If you don´t have one yet, AAP Almere is willing and able to provide you with proper assistance and support.
•Please be aware that the automatic CIGNAinsurance for each EVSvolunteer does not cover risks associated with travelling (such as loss of luggage), therefore, you are advised to read the insurance conditions carefully and arrange an additional insurance if you feel it is necessary. Your SO can provide you with detailed information on the AXAinsurance.
HOW TO APPLY& FURTHER SELECTION PROCEDURE
Please send us your CV and motivation letter (do not forget to mentionthe code EVSPD-2016R3 in the subject of your email).