SOME RECENT INTERNS AND FELLOWS

Shannon Dionne

USA. 2003.

Shannon was our very first intern and she did a joint three-month training with the International Marine Project Activities Centre (IMPAC) and us. Shannon is an extremely talented and outgoing young lady and she organised our first training workshop on International Fisheries Instruments. She successfully completed her degree and is currently employed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington.

Jeanine Almany

USA. 2003-2005

Jeanine did a joint internship with IMPAC/IOI (Australia). An outstanding hard worker, one of her major tasks was assisting Profs. Russell Reichelt and Robin South in the research leading to the completion of the Education Task Force report for the Nippon Foundation's International Ocean Governance Network's initiative. Jeanine co-wrote excellent reports during her internship, and is currently based in Brisbane working for The Nature Conservancy.

Anne Caillaud

University of Paris, France. 2004-2005

Anne is a self-motivated and an extremely diligent worker. She did a joint internship with IMPAC/IOI (Australia) and was tasked with organising short training courses. Her high productivity rate resulted in four published reports. Anne returned to France to complete her degree and went on to work with PEMSEA in the Philippines. She is currently back in Townsville working with the Townsville City Council.

Jeremy Goldberg

James Cook University, USA. 2004-2005

Jeremy was still completing his Masters degree at James Cook University when he joined us. He proved himself to be a calm and efficient worker and was a strong help in the publication of the Status of Coral Reefs of the World in 2004. He followed this up by co-editing the Status of Coral Reefs in Tsunami affected countries in 2005. During 2005, Jeremy assisted with the organisation of the Pacem in Maribus XXXI Conference.

Constantin Boese

Humboldt University, Germany. 2006

Connie did a four-month internship with us. He’s background in Agriculture added a new dimension to the activities that we do, and he focused on some research looking at catchments. He provided the much needed boost to complete the PIM Conference Proceedings. His memorable Euro-vision motifs on the CD-version of the Proceedings will be hard to repeat.

Damien Sweeney

Deakin University, Australia. 2005-2007.

Damien is currently completing his Masters degree at the Deakin University. He joined IOI (Australia) in November 2005 tasked with designing the Marine Natural Hazards course for OceanLearn. Damien is a talented worker, excellent communicator and has a strong work ethic. He is currently the Project Officer and continues his work with OceanLearn. He is assisting in the coordination of the Marine Protected Area course, of which he wrote four of the 13 modules. The MPA course is offered as a joint partnership between IOI OceanLearn and UN/DOALOS.

Flora Akwilapo

Ministry of Environment, Tanzania. April – October 2006

Flora is a Senior Environment Officer of the Tanzania Government, who successfully completed a nine-month fellowship under the Nippon Foundation funding to the UN-DOALOS. Flora joined us from April for six-months analysing the management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Flora hopes to translate lessons and successes from Australia to assist her Government in managing their marine resources. Whilst attached with us, Flora was an active volunteer of the SeagrassWatch Programme. Flora's report: National policy on MPA's in Tanzania based on the Australian experience.

Sibylle Seubert

Germany. 2006

Sibylle’s three month internship was timely, as she assisted us in pulling together the resource materials required for the Marine Protected Area course. Sibylle also assisted with SeagrassWatch and wrote two articles for the United Nations Atlas of the Oceans..

INTERESTED IN DOING AN INTERNSHIP WITH US!

Interns assist with research, workshops, conferences and publications in areas where their interests best match those of IOI (Australia). Interns will be expected to complete an individual research project during the term of their internship.

DISCIPLINE/SKILLS: Required: academic background in any one or a combination of: International/Environmental Law, Environmental Sciences; Oceans Policy; Natural Resource Management; Marine Biodiversity; Coastal Management or Planning; Fisheries; Anthropology; Social Science. Preferred: ability to work independently; previous work in similar areas; good analytical and computer skills.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS: Good communication skills are required. Interns will work among world-experts based at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, James Cook University and the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre. Other nearby facilities include the Museum of Tropical Queensland and the Reef Headquarters.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY:  English.

EQUIPMENT: The Intern will be provided with office space, a computer and access to high speed internet facilities, as well as eMail. A personal laptop computer would be an asset.

LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP: The minimum internship would be for three months; we prefer a six-month stay.

TIMING OF INTERNSHIP: No specific preference. The months of January – March are the least pleasant in Townsville because of high temperatures and humidity.

ORIENTATION:  The intern would be met on arrival, and would be provided with an orientation to the local environment and the workplace.

ACCOMMODATION:  We are unable to cover costs of accommodation. The estimated living costs (e.g. shared accommodation, food and local transport, etc.) would be in the range of A$1,000 – A$1,200 per month (ca. US$950/month) [estimate based on experience of recent interns]. We can assist with finding accommodation if necessary.

COST OF LIVING: (see above).

Housing:  A$600/month

Food: A$400/month

Local transportation: A$50/month

Miscellaneous: A$150/month

Visa/Work Permit:  The Australian Government does not allow interns/fellows to take up employment 

Medical insurance will be required – cost could be up to A$150/month. Check the Medibank Private website (www.medibank.com.au ).

STIPEND/ALLOWANCE: We are unable to provide this, because of Australian immigration regulations. We might be able to provide some in-kind support.

DRESS CODE: The tropical climate does not require warm clothing.

ORGANISATION CULTURE: Informal

EMEREGENCY INFORMATION:

Supervisors: Mobile +61 405836496; or +61 405836497

Local emergency number: 000 (fire, police & ambulance)

Nearest Hospital: Townsville

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The twin cities of Townsville and Thuringowa, which make up Australia’s largest tropical city, are in the centre of a vibrant region enjoying unprecedented new development and dynamic growth. With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, the region is Australia’s sunniest. Costs are comparatively low, and there is excellent infrastructure, good dining and night life, and a variety of accommodation options. Townsville is located in the dry tropics, and is in the cyclone belt; cyclones are most likely from December - March.

Life in Townsville is geared towards the outdoors, and facilities include the famous 4.5 km long Strand (designated as Queensland’s Cleanest beach in 2003), public swimming pools and other recreational and sporting facilities, Castle Hill, a complex including the Reef HQ Aquarium and IMAX Theatre, the Museum of Tropical Queensland and a new cultural centre, art galleries, the Townsville Civic Theatre, the Maritime Museum and other attractions. Townsville focuses on sustainability, and there is a demonstration wind turbine located on the Strand. Magnetic Island, a National Park, is located a 20-minute ferry trip from Townville and is a popular place to visit on day trips, or longer. One of the world’s largest concentrations of tropical marine scientists is located in Townsville, at James Cook University, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre.

The North Queensland economy receives major contributions from several industries including raw sugar production, beef processing, grazing, public administration, defence forces, manufacturing, mineral refining, tourism, fishing, education, research, and tertiary services.

Most visitors to Australia will require an Australian Visa: check at the nearest Embassy or Consulate or the website (www.immi.gov.au ) for application procedures, and leave sufficient time for processing.

Apart from occasional localised outbreaks of the mosquito-borne dengue fever, Townsville is generally free of tropical diseases. Visitors are strongly advised to protect themselves from the high UV radiation levels in Queensland, by using a full strength sunscreen (for UVA and UVB protection) and avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun during the hours of 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Queensland is home to a diverse and exotic terrestrial and marine flora and fauna. While famous for its venomous snakes, snake bites are rare. The box and irukandji jellyfishes are a problem in coastal areas during the months of November – May: use swimming areas that are patrolled and protected by nets, or wear stinger suits, available from tour operators or for purchase in local dive shops. The sea temperature is usually in the range of 25-28C.

Australia has very strict quarantine regulations, and the importation of food, plant and animal materials is strictly forbidden. Travellers contravening the regulations may be subject to very large fines. Check the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services Website for more information  (www.daff.gov.au ).