CAREERS & VOLUNTEERING

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Project Manager Baa Atoll

Maldives Manta Conservation Programme

Baa Atoll | Ref: #MMCP2025

Position Type: Self-employed (Consultancy) 

Availability: Minimum March 2025 to March 2026

Deadline = 6th February 2025

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 Baa Atoll.

Location: Baa Atoll, Maldives (Resort based)

Position Type: Self-employed (Consultancy)  

Availability: Minimum March 2025 to March 2026  

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage research studies, guest engagement, and resort partnership activities;

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

• Support the professional development of the team, ensuring effective communication and guidance, whilst maintaining a culture of professionalism, dedication and mutual respect;

• Lead on 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;

• Management and maintenance of all Baa Atoll administrations and accountancy;

• Develop & maintain risk assessments and ensure all appropriate paperwork including consent and liability forms are in place for research and outreach programmes;

• Maintain awareness of risks and changes in the external environment that may impact the team.

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);

• 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 $1000-$1200 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 tam@mantatrust.org, quoting the reference above and your name in the email title e.g. ‘Baa 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.

Education & Outreach Coordinator

Maldives Manta Conservation Programme

Baa Atoll | Ref: #MMCP2024

Position Type: Self-employed (Consultancy) 

Availability: Minimum April 2025 to April 2026

Deadline = 12th February 2025

The Manta Trust is seeking to fill a new 6-months paid position reserved for a local resident in Laamu Atoll, preferably from the islands of Hithadhoo, Kunahandhoo, Mameendhoo, Gan or Fonadhoo (for transportation reasons). The Conservation Community Officer will work closely with the Manta Trust project manager and assistant project manager who are based at Six Senses Laamu. The Conservation Community Officer will work remotely from a local island 4 days / week and visit the resort for trainings and research 1 day / week. The officer will work a total of 5 days / week.

Essential qualifications & skills:

• Interest and experience in conservation or a related field;

• Fluent in spoken and written English and Dhivehi;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to represent the Manta Trust to members of the public, external organisations and colleagues;

• Confident public speaker eager to engage student and community audiences;

• Knowledge of MS Office Package (Excel, Word, Power-Point, etc.);

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

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

Desirable skills:

• Experience leading environmental education and outreach initiatives;

• Experience working with children;

• Teaching experience;

• Community outreach experience;

• Experience in snorkelling / in water activities.

Roles and responsibilities include:

• Collaborate and develop effective working relationships with local Councils, community and organisations that are involved within the community;

• Establish strong connection / liaison with schools and environment clubs;

• Promote and implement an education programme;

• Arrange, organise and assist in snorkel sessions with the help of other Manta Trust team members.

• Development and deliver community awareness sessions;

• Conducting surveys with local community;

• Investigate ways of benefitting the local community through environmental conservation;

• Active participation in education and awareness events on the local island or nearby islands;

• Possibility to be involved and learn about reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) data collection in the field (photographic ID, parasites sampling, environmental variables, etc.). Dependent on in-water capabilities;

• Data analyses through photo-ID editing and matching and updating survey spreadsheets.

Equipment requirements

• Dropbox Plus Subscription (minimum 1TB storage space)* to be reimbursed upon completion of contract term.

Inclusions & Exclusions:

• This is a self-employed (consultancy) role. Consultants will be entitled to a monthly consultancy fee between $800- $900 depending on skills and level of experience.

• 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.

Please submit a cover letter and CV to laamu@mantatrust.org if you meet the essential requirements and would like to apply.

Only those who meet the essential requirements will be considered for the role.

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.

Although we encourage applications from any Maldivian national, people local to Laamu will be prioritised in the recruitment process

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Field Research Internship

Maldives Manta Conservation Programme

Baa Atoll Field Season 2025 | Ref: #MMCP2025

Deadline = 27th January 2025