Conservation Program Officer - Kekoldi, Costa Rica

Lead Biodiversity Research in the Rainforest

Location: Kekoldi, Costa Rica | Start Date: December 2025/ January 2026|  Duration: 1-year

🌎 BRING YOUR FIELD SKILLS TO LIFE WHERE IT MATTERS MOST

You’re passionate about wild spaces, thrive in challenging conditions, and want to lead meaningful conservation work on the front lines. You’re ready to step into a leadership role - where your field experience, mentoring mindset, and logistical know-how can drive real-world biodiversity outcomes.

At GVI Kekoldi, we’re looking for someone like you to help run our conservation programs, support a dynamic team of volunteers, and ensure the smooth, impactful delivery of daily research.

✨ WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

As our Program Officer, you’ll work from our remote rainforest base, helping to deliver high-quality biodiversity monitoring programs. You’ll support training and mentoring of volunteers and interns, lead fieldwork, and oversee key aspects of project logistics.

This is a highly hands-on role designed for someone who loves fieldwork, values structure and safety, and is excited by the opportunity to live and work in one of Costa Rica’s most ecologically important regions.

🎯 WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Leading and supporting biodiversity surveys and research activities
• Coordinating volunteers, interns, and staff in day-to-day fieldwork
• Delivering training workshops and safety briefings
• Mentoring interns and supporting their development
• Managing data collection, reporting, and field documentation
• Maintaining project equipment and supplies
• Supporting logistics, safety, and communication with stakeholders
• Reporting progress, needs, and challenges to the Senior Program Coordinator and Program Manager

🚀 WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Previous experience in field-based conservation work
• Ability to manage fieldwork safely and effectively in remote conditions
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Confidence in mentoring others and delivering group training
• Physical stamina and resilience in tropical environments
• A proactive, organised, and collaborative approach
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field

Bonus if you also have:

• Emergency First Response or First Aid certification
• Previous GVI experience

🎉 WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• Monthly salary

• A unique and immersive conservation experience

• All meals cooked by our wonderful local chef

• Visa support (where applicable)

• Growth opportunities across our 17 locations

• A pathway into long-term conservation work

• A collaborative, purpose-driven culture

• In-house training and mentoring

• Emergency medical and travel insurance

🌴 LIVING & WORKING CONDITIONS AT KEKOLDI

Click here to see what the team is up to!

Our home is a wooden treehouse-style station, deep in the jungle, powered by solar energy. You’ll hike 20 minutes on a rainforest trail to reach us, so pack light - but come prepared.

🏠 Living Conditions:

• Basic but cosy private or shared rooms
• Wi-Fi available (signal strength varies)
• Staff are on duty 1 in every 2–3 weekends

🚗 Getting Around:

• Base is a 20-minute hike from the main road
• Nearby towns are 5–15 minutes away by taxi or bus
• Weekends off unless on rotation - plenty of time to explore the area

🧗 Fitness & Conditions:

• You must be physically fit - work includes long hikes, heat, humidity, mud, and heavy lifting
• You’ll work outdoors in the elements 5 days a week
• Adaptability and resilience are a must

🧳 Packing & Gear:

• Tall wellies, long socks, strong headtorch, binoculars
• Waterproof clothing and layers for cooler evenings
• Laptops and basic field kit are required (full packing list provided on acceptance)

🌱WORKING AT GVI

At GVI, we're driven by the desire to make a positive impact on our planet and its people. Our dedicated teams are actively working to address global challenges and together, we leverage a diverse set of specialised skills to pursue a shared vision: cultivating a brighter and more sustainable future for all.

Working at GVI is fast-paced and fun. You will join a community that values passion, authenticity and innovation, and where we treat each other with respect. But we can do better than words to show you who we are! To see what it's really like to work for GVI:

🎥 Watch Here

📰 Read Here

👥 Meet the Team

✅ YOUR NEXT STEP

If you’re ready to live your values, lead with purpose, and contribute to meaningful wildlife conservation, we want to hear from you.

Please send us your CV and a short Cover Letter sharing why this role is the right fit for you.

Kindly note: We genuinely appreciate every application we receive. If you haven’t heard from us within 3–4 weeks, it likely means we’ve moved forward with other candidates this time. That said, we’d love for you to stay connected and consider applying again in the future!

SDG Impact