CAREERS & VOLUNTEERING

 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Project Manager

Maldives Manta Conservation Programme

Manta Ray Project Laamu Atoll

Deadline: 10th May

 
 

The Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP) has gone from strength to strength and over the last few years we have built an ever-growing network of marine biologists in our flagship project in the Maldives. With so many islands, reef systems, and potential manta sites, we continue to expand our research and partnerships to enable us to monitor manta ray populations throughout the Maldives archipelago. The MMCP is happy to announce the opening of a project position within the Maldives: We are currently looking to fill a Project Manager role for Laamu Atoll.

Essential Requirements:

  • Applicants must have successfully completed a BSc degree in Marine Biology/ Environmental Conservation, Note – for Maldivian nationals, a BSc degree is not a requirement but experience working in the field of marine conservation is preferred;

  • Minimum: PADI Divemaster Certification in active status (SSI/BSAC equivalent);

  • AIDA2 (or equivalent) freediving qualification OR willingness to complete certification course if successful in application to the position.

  • Physically fit – it is likely you will spend 2-3+ hours a day diving / swimming in the ocean. When conditions are rough/there is a current, it can be physically demanding to deploy research equipment;

  • Leadership/managerial experience;

  • Fluent in spoken and written English (and Dhivehi is desirable);

  • Experience of data collection, data analysis and report writing;

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and foster relationships with diverse stakeholders including environmental organizations, community members, and government agencies;

  • A strong interest in manta rays, conservation, and marine/environmental research and education.

  • Computer literate with experience in Microsoft Excel and comfortable working long hours at a desk;

  • Self-motivated individual with a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude with a flexible approach to a diverse workload;

  • Excellent guest relations and communication skills. Comfortable with public speaking and giving presentations;

  • The ability to live and work as part of a team in a resort island environment;

  • Availability: June 2024 –2025.

Desirable skills:

  • Experience in community development, social work, or a related field.

  • Leadership/managerial experience;

  • Demonstrate organisational and administrative skills with the ability to plan and deliver to deadlines;

  • Excellent customer related skills;

  • Previous experience working in the Maldives.

  • Experience conducting scientific dives.

Roles and responsibilities include:

  • Lead manta excursions (dive trips to manta cleaning sites, more rarely snorkel trips);

  • Carry out daily research activities, site surveys, data collection on all manta sightings;

  • Data entry – survey results; sightings updates; research study analysis;

  • Maintain the regional manta sightings database and branchial ID gallery;

  • Lead on research and reporting requirements of project;

  • Supervision of MSc Student Projects;

  • Writing scientific reports on research findings;

  • Conduct weekly manta presentations for guests;

  • Promote safe and responsible tourism interactions with manta rays;

  • Communicate effectively between resort management, on-site dive centre, and MMCP colleagues and management;

  • Work with the Assistant Project Manager to engage the local community - raising awareness about marine conservation issues, and implementing projects and activities that contribute to the protection and sustainable use of marine resources;

  • Produce material for MMCP social media;

  • Management of MMCP staff on-site and overall team administration and logistics;

  • Data collection in the field, including by snorkel and SCUBA diving, of the local manta ray population;

  • Provide mentorship and training to research & outreach interns.

  • Represent, when requested, the MMCP at government organised taskforces, workshops and the like.

  • Support the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) in other research activities whenever needed, this can include reef surveys, coral spawning research, sea turtle research etc.

Equipment Requirements:

  • Personal Laptop with photo editing software (e.g. Lightroom);

  • Dropbox Plus Subscription (minimum 1TB storage space)

  • Camera equipment (incl. underwater housing and SD cards) – Eg. Olympus Tough TG-6 + Housing.

  • Personal dive gear or willingness to purchase this on acceptance of job offer.

Inclusions & Exclusions:

  • This is a self-employed (consultancy) role. Consultants will be entitled to a monthly consultancy fee of $1200;

  • Food and shared accommodation provided, plus internal work-related travel and reimbursement of one international return flight, on completion of contract;

  • Consultants will be required to take out their own insurance cover, including but not limited to, travel and personal liability insurance;

  • Additional details available on request. 

If you are interested, and meet all requirements please send your CV/resume (maximum two pages), and a covering letter (maximum one page) to mmcp.careers@mantatrust.org, quoting the reference above and your name in the email title e.g. ‘Laamu Project Manager Application #MMCP2024 Your Name’.

Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be conducted with short-listed candidates before the application deadline. 

Due to limited capacity only successful candidates will be contacted.

VOLUNTEER WITH US

Marine Summer Training Program, Isla Mujeres

Manta Caribbean Project

ONE-MONTH PROGRAM:

May, June, July, September 2024

 

We have a new modality for our summer marine science experiences focused on students or any discipline or professionals interested in learning about manta and devil ray research and conservation work.

All the money goes directly to boat rental costs and housing, the payment goes through the (Manta Caribbean Project) Non-Profit Bank Account.

The process remains the same:

Send your CV, motivation letter, and a professional or academic recommendation.

The second phase is an interview through video call.

In the third phase after a month only successfully selected candidates receive the notification by email, any questions: 

karen@mantacaribbeanproject.org or manzafuentes@gmail.com

Note: our program starts the first day of the month, and ends the last day of the corresponding month. This 2024 we have an excepción of two weeks only starting from 1st August to 15th, cost $1,450​.

1-month program: include field trips, housing, marine research training, handling equipment, weekly presentations, educational activities, the extension of database management, creation of outreach materials, and beach clean-ups.

COST: $1,900 USD

Doesn´t include: flights, food other personal expenses.

Five participants are limited to this program.

This program helps us to keep working towards the conservation and research of the species of mobulid rays within four Marine Protected Areas, the money is the contribution from participants and in exchange, we provide experience from a local non-profit organization and conservation involvement in our region.

Key responsibilities:

·    Follow your instructor's indications at any time and procedures related to the task assigned to your person.

·    Perform data analysis and assist with preparing scientific publications, grants applications, etc.

·    Create outreach materials for schools, and communities about marine megafauna and wider marine conservation.

·    Maintain equipment and contribute to keeping accommodation facilities clean and in order.

·    Conduct fisheries surveys.

·    Conduct interviews with local community stakeholders connected with mobulid rays, marine debris, and others.

 Requirements:

·     Minimum 21 years old.

·    Environmental or conservation of previous work experience.

·    Excellent swimming and snorkeling skills.

·    Willing to work sporadic and occasionally long hours on a boat (it is very sunny and hot during those months).

·    Strong passion for marine ecosystems/ manta rays/ conservation/education.

·    English with an intermediate level minimum.

·    We are in a Spanish-speaking country. Applicants with some level of Spanish language knowledge will be given special consideration.

·    Creative and innovative person.

·    Computer skills (excel. PowerPoint, word, photoshop, graphs).

·    Comfortable working long hours at a desk.

·    Friendly and enthusiastic personality.

·    Comfortable sharing work, and housing with other people.

·    Can relate to people of different backgrounds. 

·    Diving insurance and or full medical insurance.

 

Website Volunteer

Manta Watch New Zealand

 
 

We have a fun and creative opportunity for a WordPress website expert to join the Manta Watch New Zealand whanau. Duties will include updating and creating content as well as more advanced tasks, which will enable our website to be the best it can be.

If you are interested (or know someone who is) and are keen to learn more, please send an email to mantawatchnewzealand@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you.