CAREERS & VOLUNTEERING

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 an Assistant Project Manager role for Baa Atoll.

Location: Baa Atoll, Maldives (Resort based)

Position Type: Self-employed (Consultancy) 

Availability: Minimum March 2025 to March 2026

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Project Manager in overseeing research, guest engagement, and resort partnership activities.

• Conduct daily fieldwork, including snorkelling and diving, to collect and analyse manta ray data.

• Manage and oversee local research efforts, maintenance of scientific equipment, data entry, and safety protocols as the designated Safety Officer.

• Assist with the production of reports and publications for stakeholders, government, and scientific journals.

• Represent MMCP and The Manta Trust in the participation of education and awareness initiatives, workshops, taskforces, and events.

• Lead resort guests on manta ray snorkel excursions, providing educational briefings and in-water guiding to ensure safety and enjoyment.

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 4+ hours a day swimming in the ocean. Mantas love to be uncooperative, and when conditions are rough/there is a current, it can be physically demanding;

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

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

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

• 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: March 2025 - 2026.

Desirable skills:

• Strong foundational knowledge in marine biology and ecology;

• Experience with fieldwork and marine species identification;

• Data collection, analysis, and report writing expertise;

• Proficiency in processing and analysing large datasets using R or similar software packages;

• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to meet deadlines;

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously;

• Effective teamwork in multidisciplinary settings;

• Experience in developing and delivering educational programs;

• Excellent customer-related skills;

• Ability to engage with diverse audiences (students, stakeholders, public);

• Leadership and managerial skills;

• Drone pilot;

• Previous experience working in the Maldives.

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 (please note that GoPro cameras will not be suitable).

• Personal snorkel 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 between $850 – 1000 depending on skills and level of experience

• Food and shared accommodation will be provided, plus internal work-related travel and one international return flight.

• 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. ‘Baa Assistant Project Manager Application #MMCP2025 Joe Bloggs’. 

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.