Become Part of Our Team

Volunteer Background Screening & Safeguarding Officer — Volunteer (100% Unpaid)

About Voices for Animal Welfare (VfAW)

Voices for Animal Welfare (VfAW) is an international NGO bridging Europe and Africa to give a voice to animals and empower communities. Through legal advocacy, education, veterinary support, and the arts, we unite volunteers, experts, and advocates to create sustainable, culturally inclusive change in animal welfare. Our fully remote, global team shares a mission: a more humane world for animals and people.

VfAW is based in Tanzania and France, with most of our projects taking place in Tanzania. Our work brings us into contact with animals, children, local communities, volunteers, and professionals from a range of countries.

Role Summary

This is a 100% volunteer, unpaid position.

Location: Remote

Start date: ASAP

We are looking for an experienced professional to help strengthen our volunteer screening and safeguarding processes.

Our volunteers and professionals may come from Tanzania, other African countries, Europe, and elsewhere internationally. You will help us verify the identity and background of people joining the organization, particularly those who may work with children, animals, local communities, finances, equipment, or other positions of trust.

Responsibilities

● Conduct background screening of prospective volunteers and team members

● Verify identity and identification documents

● Review criminal record and police clearance documentation

● Verify professional qualifications, licences, employment history, and credentials when relevant

● Conduct reference checks when required

● Identify inconsistencies or possible misrepresentation in applications or supporting documents

● Carry out additional screening for individuals who will work with children or other vulnerable groups

● Help assess appropriate screening requirements for volunteers coming from different countries

● Maintain confidential records of completed checks

● Flag concerns to VfAW leadership when further investigation or verification is needed

● Help develop a consistent background check and safeguarding process for our Tanzania based projects and international volunteers

What You Bring

We are particularly interested in:

● Current or retired police officers or other law enforcement professionals

● Lawyers or other legal professionals

● Professionals with experience in investigations, safeguarding, compliance, security, or background screening

● Experience conducting identity, criminal record, employment, reference, or professional credential checks

● Knowledge of background checks or safeguarding international procedures is highly desirable

● Experience working across different countries or legal systems is an advantage

● Strong attention to detail and good judgment

● Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information responsibly

● Commitment to safeguarding children, animals, communities, and the organization

What You’ll Gain

● Meaningful impact with an international animal welfare NGO

● The opportunity to directly strengthen VfAW’s safeguarding and screening processes

● Cross regional collaboration with teams across Africa and Europe

● Experience supporting an international volunteer organization

● Networking within the nonprofit and advocacy space

How to Apply

https://forms.gle/LUf1mc19q67ZfH2q7

Partnerships Coordinator — Volunteer (100% Unpaid)

About Voices for Animal Welfare (VfAW)

Voices for Animal Welfare (VfAW) is an international NGO bridging Europe and Africa to give a voice to animals and empower communities. Through legal advocacy, education, veterinary support, and the arts, we unite volunteers, experts, and advocates to create sustainable, culturally inclusive change in animal welfare. Our fully remote, global team shares a mission: a more humane world for animals and people.

Role Summary

This is a 100% volunteer, unpaid position.

Commitment: 10 hours per week

Location: Hybrid Tanzania

Start date: ASAP

We are seeking a well-connected, proactive, and career-driven professional based in Tanzania who can leverage their network to identify, secure, and manage strategic partnerships while representing VfAW on the ground.

This role is ideal for someone motivated by impact and professional growth, with a strong understanding of the local landscape and the ability to independently drive partnerships forward.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and engage potential partners (institutions, NGOs, academic bodies, private sector)

• Develop and maintain a strong and active partnership pipeline

• Represent VfAW in meetings and build strong, professional relationships in person

• Lead partnership discussions and support the development of mutually beneficial collaborations

• Ensure all agreements are clearly defined, reliable, and fully followed through

• Maintain consistent follow-up and relationship management to secure long-term partnerships

• Support VfAW in expanding its network and visibility in Tanzania

• Provide insights on local opportunities, stakeholders, and developments

Profile & Expertise

• Strong existing professional network in Tanzania, particularly within institutions, universities, or private sector stakeholders

• Solid understanding of the local institutional and regulatory landscape

• Background or specialization in at least one of the following is an asset:

– Animal Law / Policy

– Veterinary Science

– Animal Health / Welfare

Skills & Competencies

• Proven ability to identify, approach, and secure partnerships

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills

• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities

• Strategic mindset with the ability to align partnerships with organizational goals

• High level of autonomy, reliability, and accountability

• Creative and solution-oriented approach to challenges

Language Requirements

• Fluent in Swahili

• Good command of English (professional working proficiency)

What You’ll Gain

• Meaningful impact with an international NGO

• Opportunity to expand and leverage your professional network

• Hands-on experience in partnerships, negotiations, and international collaboration

• Professional growth and career development in a purpose-driven environment

Call for ApplicationsNetwork of Local Photographers – Tanzania

Voices for Animal Welfare (VfAW) is building a network of local photographers in Tanzania who are interested in developing their skills in animal photojournalism, documentation, and ethical storytelling.

This opportunity is mainly designed for photographers who already have strong technical photography skills, but who may not yet have experience in photojournalism. Through training and field practice, selected participants will learn how to document animal-related realities with accuracy, respect, and ethical responsibility.

We are seeking skilled and committed photographers who are interested in capturing meaningful visual stories related to animal welfare, human-animal interactions, farming systems, companion animals, local practices, and community contexts.

About the Opportunity

Selected applicants will take part in an initial unpaid training phase designed to strengthen:

• ethical photography practices

• visual storytelling skills

• photojournalism principles

• animal welfare and behavior

• caption writing and contextual documentation

• fieldwork readiness in animal-related environments

This phase is part of a selection process for a future paid project in Tanzania, if confirmed.

Our objective is to identify reliable photographers who can grow into animal photojournalists and contribute to long-term documentation projects led by VfAW.

What We Offer

• Training in ethical animal documentation and visual storytelling

• Opportunity to be selected for future paid assignments

• Collaboration with experts in animal welfare, law, and photography

• Certificate of participation

• Credit and visibility when work is published

• Integration into a professional and mission-driven network

Requirements

1. Technical Photography Skills

• Advanced knowledge of photography

• Strong command of manual settings: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO

• Ability to produce high-quality images

• Ownership of a camera, preferably DSLR or mirrorless

• Ability to work in low-light or challenging field conditions

• Ability to provide image metadata

• Respect for post-processing integrity, with no addition or removal of elements

2. Interest in Photojournalism and Storytelling

• Interest in learning animal photojournalism

• Ability or willingness to create meaningful visual stories, not only individual images

• Understanding of context, including environment, conditions, and interactions

• Willingness to learn how to tell a story through a sequence of 5–10 images

• Basic caption writing or willingness to learn how to describe images clearly

3. Animal Interest and Context Awareness

• Interest in animals, including farm animals, companion animals, and wildlife

• Willingness to work in animal-related environments

• Knowledge of local traditions or practices involving animals is an asset

• Species knowledge is appreciated

4. Ethics

• Strong commitment to ethical photography

• Respect for animals, communities, and environments

• Willingness to follow strict ethical guidelines

• Ability to document difficult realities without staging, manipulation, or sensationalism

5. Professionalism and Availability

• Availability for unpaid training sessions

• Availability for field practice

• Reliability and respect for deadlines

• Good communication skills

• Ability to work independently and within a team

• Interest in long-term collaboration

• Availability for future paid opportunities if selected

6. Language

• Fluency in Swahili and English

Application Process

To apply, please click on the application link.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Selection Process

• Initial review of applications and portfolios

• Shortlisting of candidates

• Invitation to complete a short quiz on photography, ethics, storytelling, and commitment

• Interview with the VfAW team

• Participation in the training phase

• Final selection for future paid projects, if confirmed

Our Vision

Through this initiative, VfAW aims to build a strong local network of photographers in Tanzania who can progressively develop into animal photojournalists. The goal is to document animal-related realities with accuracy, respect, and ethical integrity, while contributing to awareness, education, and long-term impact.

Training Overview

Selected participants will join an initial unpaid training phase combining online learning, group discussions, and field practice in Tanzania.

The training will introduce participants to:

• the difference between photography and photojournalism

• ethical animal documentation

• animal welfare and behavior

• visual storytelling and building a photo story

• working respectfully with animals, communities, farms, markets, and shelters

• basic caption writing and contextual documentation

• image selection and post-processing integrity

• field behavior, consent, and safety

The training will include practical exercises and may involve documenting animal-related environments such as farms, markets, shelters, and community settings.

The initial training phase is expected to last approximately 4 to 6 weeks, combining online sessions, practical assignments, and field practice. The final duration may be adjusted according to the level and availability of selected participants.

This training is part of a selection process for future paid opportunities, if confirmed.