African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the direct responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. Headquartered in Bryanston, they manage over 20 national parks across 12 countries. Their Business Intelligence Unit is at the heart of their “Data-Driven Conservation” strategy, using tech to protect Africa’s most vulnerable ecosystems.
📊 Job Summary: Business Intelligence Intern
- Job Title: Business Intelligence Intern
- Location: Bryanston, Johannesburg (In-office role)
- Duration: 12-Month Full-Time Internship
- Stipend: R18,000 per month (based on a 40-hour week)
- Closing Date: Late January 2026 (Apply immediately as positions are being filled for a February start)
📋 Key Responsibilities
- Dashboard Development: Design and roll out standardized reports using Power BI and ArcGIS.
- Data Engineering: Manage automated data pipelines and clean large datasets from the field.
- Integrity & Auditing: Audit protected area data to ensure accuracy for strategic decision-making.
- Tech Research: Explore how AI and open-source datasets can be integrated into conservation tools.
- User Support: Manage user accounts and permissions across Esri and Power BI platforms.
🎓 Requirements & Skills
- Education: Pursuing or completed a degree in Sciences or Tech (Conservation, Ecology, Informatics, or Computer Science).
- Technical Stack: Familiarity with DAX & M (Power BI), Python, R, or SQL.
- Geospatial Tools: Working knowledge of ArcGIS Pro and the Esri online environment.
- Language: Fluency in English is required; French or Portuguese is a major advantage.
- Nationality: Open only to South African citizens or valid work permit holders.
💡 Career Advice: The “Conservation Tech” Edge
- Portfolio of Maps: If you have used ArcGIS or Power BI before, include a link to a portfolio or screenshots of your best work. In conservation, “showing” is better than “telling.”
- Highlight the “Eco” Link: This isn’t just a corporate IT job. Emphasize any experience you have with ecological data or your passion for the African wilderness.
- The BI Mindset: Focus on Impact Evaluation. African Parks wants to know how your data analysis will actually help save a rhino or support a local community.
🎤 Possible Interview Questions
- “How would you handle a situation where data coming from a remote park in the DRC is inconsistent or missing?”
- “Can you explain a complex data visualization you created and how it helped someone make a decision?”
- “Why do you believe Business Intelligence is critical for the future of wildlife conservation in Africa?”