Vacancies and volunteering

Vacancy: Sanctuary Director – Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary (Liberia) 

Background

The Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary is a Liberian-registered non-profit wildlife rescue and release center, established in 2017 in Margibi County, Liberia. Founded by the owners of Libassa Ecolodge, the sanctuary is open daily for public tours to raise awareness and c

Vacancy: Sanctuary Director – Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary (Liberia) 

Background

The Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary is a Liberian-registered non-profit wildlife rescue and release center, established in 2017 in Margibi County, Liberia. Founded by the owners of Libassa Ecolodge, the sanctuary is open daily for public tours to raise awareness and combat illegal wildlife crime in Liberia.

We are the only sanctuary in Liberia that cares for all wild species apart from chimpanzees (who are cared for by Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection). Animals arrive through confiscations from the bushmeat and pet trades across Liberia, and occasionally from neighboring countries. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release wildlife back into protected areas of Liberia. Reptiles, birds, antelopes and pangolins make up the majority of releases, but we are actively seeking release opportunities for our growing primate population. On average, around 200 animals are in rehabilitation at any given time, with a small percentage that are non-releasable.

We are a small but highly committed team working in a challenging environment. The role requires dedication, resilience, and strong leadership, as well as the ability to step in clinically when necessary.

Job Description

As Sanctuary Director, you will lead the sanctuary’s management while, ideally, also serving as a veterinary backup when needed. The position combines administrative leadership with the ability to support the Sanctuary Veterinarian during busy periods, emergencies, or absences.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership to ensure achievement of the organization’s mission. 
• Supervising and supporting staff, fostering teamwork and professionalism. 
• Overseeing sanctuary funds, financial management, and record-keeping. 
• Securing new grants and funding, and preparing donor/grant reports. 
• Ensuring compliance with taxes and NASSCORP payments.
• Maintaining sanctuary communications, including social media and donor relations. 
• Representing the sanctuary at meetings with NGOs, government, and partners. 
• Preparing and sending quarterly and annual reports timely.
• Coordinating rescues and overseeing animal releases.
• Ensuring the sanctuary is well-maintained, organized, and safe.
• Providing veterinary backup support in the clinic when required (routine care, emergencies, animal monitoring), in close collaboration with the Sanctuary Veterinarian.

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Preferred qualifications include a DVM, VMD, BVSc degree.
• Experience in wildlife rehabilitation and medicine.
• Demonstrated experience in grant writing, fundraising, and financial management. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred/Advantageous:

• Previous experience working in West Africa or Africa in general. 
• Experience in management or NGO leadership.
• Ability to work in challenging environments with limited resources.

What we offer:

• Salary will be commensurate with experience and can change through new grants 
• Food and accommodation on-site
• Entry and working visa
• Internet
• Free access to Libassa Ecolodge (www.libassa.com)
• Return flight ticket to visit home after 1 year
• A vehicle is available, but fuel will not be provided for personal use.

What applicant will need to provide:

• Flight to Liberia 
• Necessary vaccinations 
• Health insurance

This role is ideal for a veterinarian with strong management skills who is ready to take on the challenge of leading Liberia’s only multi-species wildlife sanctuary, while also ensuring high standards of animal care through occasional clinical support.

The position will open until filled. For any additional questions or if interested in this position, please email CV and motivation letter to libassa.wildlife.sanctuary.lib@gmail.com.

“Something challenging, something unique, no two days are the same”

The Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary is the only multispecies wildlife sanctuary in Liberia and home to more than 170 animals confiscated from the illegal bushmeat and wildlife pet trade. The sanctuary officially opened in 2017 after the government passed an act in October 2016 

“Something challenging, something unique, no two days are the same”

The Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary is the only multispecies wildlife sanctuary in Liberia and home to more than 170 animals confiscated from the illegal bushmeat and wildlife pet trade. The sanctuary officially opened in 2017 after the government passed an act in October 2016 making it illegal to hunt, buy, sell, capture, eat or have as a pet any wildlife. From critically endangered pangolins to different monkey species, duikers and reptiles; every animal species confiscated by the government is brought to this sanctuary (excluding chimpanzees). Working at Libassa wildlife sanctuary will give you a real hands-on glimpse into the life of an African sanctuary.

Volunteering positions at the sanctuary are not for the faint-hearted: hard work, lack of first-world luxuries, a tough environment/climate, etc., long hours and unpredictability makes the position tough but exciting for the right people. We are looking for people who can handle and enjoy it at the same time. 

What Libassa is looking for: 

- Be a hardworking, flexible individual who enjoy a challenge

- Good at working in a team and also on your own

- Hygiene and attention to detail are paramount when working with animals

- You have the team spirit to ensure animal welfare with our local team

- The English language isn’t a problem for you

- You won’t sit down if there is a day without tasks, you always seek work to be done

- You will be an ambassador to the sanctuary and be positive and enthusiastic at all times

A little more information about the Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary: www.libassawildlifesanctuary.org 

- Home to more than 170 animals (We have had 70 different species at the sanctuary since 2017. 

- Main goal: restore their health - rehabilitation - release

- Most animals brought to the sanctuary are either very young (taken from their mothers to be sold as a pet) and/or require wound care (caught in traps for bushmeat or in the wrong hands for too long)

- Since our goal is to release animals we have as limited human-animal interaction as possible - except for the youngest monkeys who need a surrogate mother/father

What Libassa will provide for you:

- Accommodation and food (3 meals a day)

- Transfer to and from the airport

- Limited internet (depends on service)

- Access to Libassa Eco Lodge https://www.libassa.com/ 

What you will need to provide for yourself:

- Flight ticket

- Visa

- Vaccinations 

- Health insurance

Cost for volunteers payable to Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary: 

- 1 week: 400 USD

- 2 weeks: 800 USD

- 3 weeks: 1150 USD

- 4 weeks: 1500 USD

- for longer periods, please contact us

Your fees go towards food accomodation and much needed financial support for the animals at the sanctuary. 

For further information please contact us on libassa.wildlife.sanctuary.lib@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!