Manta Ray Conservation Community Officer

Laamu Atoll | Ref: #MMCP2024

Deadline = Open until filled

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

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.