CAREERS & VOLUNTEERING

Are you interested in working to inspire the next generation of ocean guardians in the Maldives? The Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP) is seeking a passionate and experienced Marine Education & Outreach Coordinator. In this role, your primary responsibilities will be to lead our marine education and outreach work in Baa Atoll. This unique role involves working with our team in Baa Atoll to expand marine education to schools and local communities. You will work to improve ocean literacy in the Maldives, coordinating and delivering our established Moodhu Madharusaa programme to schools and organising community events like the Baa Atoll Manta Festival.

In addition to your primary education responsibilities, the role will also involve working with the rest of our team in Baa Atoll to contribute to our research efforts, particularly during the busy manta season.

• Programme Leadership: Develop, deliver, and promote the Moodhu Madharusaa programme, collaborating with local stakeholders to foster understanding and conservation of marine ecosystems.

• School & Community Engagement: Lead educational sessions (in person and/or virtually) for local schools in Baa Atoll, and train educators.

• Community Outreach: Organize and implement outreach events, like the Manta Festival, in collaboration with councils, resorts, and schools to inspire environmental stewardship.

• Research & Field Work: Collect and analyse manta ray data, including photographic ID and environmental variables, spending up to three days per week on a research boat when needed.

• Programme Expansion: Support funding and grant application efforts for programme growth, working with the RahVeshi Programme Coordinator and Manta Trust Education Manager.

• Intern and Apprentice Training & Management:  Training, and day-to-day management of interns and apprentices, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to the programme.

Essential qualifications and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in marine biology, ecology, education, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Note – for Maldivian nationals, a BSc degree is not a requirement but experience working in the field of marine conservation or science education is preferred;

• Active PADI Dive Master certification or equivalent (with details on diving experience).

• Strong swimming skills, fluent in English, and excellent public speaking and communication abilities.

• Competent in MS Office, data collection, and analysis.

• Ability to engage audiences across different backgrounds and ages, with a ‘can-do’ approach to managing a diverse workload;

• Strong administrative, organisational, and independent work skills.

Desirable skills:

• Prior experience in environmental education or outreach, especially with children.

• Managerial or team leadership experience.

• Demonstrable skills necessary for collaborating with local and governmental organisations effectively

• Familiarity with the Maldives environment and previous experience working in the Maldives.

Additional requirements:

• Personal laptop with photo editing software (e.g., Lightroom).

• Personal snorkel gear, waterproof timepiece and camera equipment (not including GoPro).

What we offer:

• Monthly consultancy fee ($800 - $850 depending on experience), shared accommodation, and food provided.

• Opportunity to work within a dynamic team committed to marine conservation.

• Internal work-related travel expenses covered.

To Apply: 

Please send your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience to mmcp.careers@mantatrust.org.

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 short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Preference will be granted to Maldivian candidates who meet all essential requirements.

Manta Ray Conservation Community Officer

Maldives Manta Conservation Programme

Laamu Atoll | Ref: #MMCP2025

Deadline = Open until filled

Please note: we are only able to accept Maldivian candidates for this recruitment.

Are you passionate about marine conservation and eager to immerse yourself in the incredible world of manta rays? This is your chance to join The Maldives Manta Conservation Programme as a field research intern in Baa Atoll, Maldives, for 2025!

For three months, you'll work alongside a dedicated team of researchers studying the world's largest-known population of reef manta rays. From cruising the atoll on our research vessel in search of mantas and new aggregation sites to contributing to over a decade's worth of vital manta ray data, this internship offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the life of a manta scientist.

This role is physically and mentally challenging but deeply rewarding for those with a passion for marine research, conservation, and adventure.

Requirements:

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

• Applicants must be able to commit to one of two 3-month periods (1st June – 31st August, or 1st September - 30th November). Applicants that are flexible and able to commit to either period will be preferred.

• Minimum PADI Divemaster certification in active status (SSI/BSAC equivalent). Please give details of diving experience and number of dives logged. Whilst diving is not a common activity for an intern, applicants without this diving qualification will NOT be considered.

• Excellent swimming/snorkelling skills. A demonstrated ability to comfortably free-dive to at least 10-15m. You will spend a lot of time snorkelling down beneath manta rays to get photos of their ID spot patterns.

• Physically fit – it is likely you will spend 4+ hours a day, 6 days a week 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.

• Computer literate and comfortable working long hours at a desk. After a long day at sea, interns will be expected to spend 3 hours+ in the afternoon/evenings processing ID photo data in the office with the other researchers.

• Fluent in spoken and written English (additional languages desirable).

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - comfortable with public speaking and giving presentations.

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

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

Roles and responsibilities include:

• Carry out daily research snorkels and site surveys;

• Collect data on all manta sightings (ID photos, gender, injuries, pregnancies, behaviour, etc.);

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

• Lead manta excursions for guests (snorkel and dive trips to manta feeding and cleaning sites);

• Promote safe and responsible tourism interactions with manta rays;

• Active participation in education and awareness events, including the Maldives Education Programme (Moodhu Madharussa);

• Produce material for Manta Trust social media;

• Participation and assistance in ongoing research projects at the base. These include but are not limited to the Eyes on the Reef project, Ultrasound and SVP measurements; zooplankton sampling.

Equipment Requirements:

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

• Dropbox Plus Subscription (minimum 1TB storage space).

• Fins (preferably long blades), Mask and Snorkel.

• A waterproof timepiece (to be worn when conducting all in-water activities).

• Underwater camera.

Note: for Maldivian Nationals a camera and laptop are not a requirement.

Inclusions & Exclusions:

• All food, shared accommodation and internal flight transfers will be covered.

• For those not certified with any Freediving qualification, a theory training course will be provided free of charge.

• Scientific training and experience conducting research in the field.

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

Note: Maldivian Nationals will receive a stipend of $300/month.

If you are interested, and meet all requirements please send your CV/resume (maximum two pages), and a covering letter (maximum one page) to baa@mantatrust.org, quoting the reference above and your name in the email title e.g. ‘Internship Application #MMRP2025 Joe Bloggs’.

This is an extremely popular and highly competitive opportunity, so really try and impress us if you want to stand out! It should also be highlighted that completion of this internship may present the opportunity to work with the Manta Trust in the future. We look forward to reading your application.

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.