Marine Biologist

Unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live in the beautiful Maldives pursuing a passion while gaining experience in marine conservation: Naifaru Juvenile has an opening for a marine biologist position that will rotate schedules between the main Atoll Marine Centre and resort marine centres.

About Naifaru Juvenile

Naifaru Juvenile is a young and vibrant NGO based in the beautiful Maldives. We welcome international volunteers from around the world for a range of programmes including medical and teaching placements, and our most well-known Marine and Turtle Conservation

About the Role

The qualified candidate must be committed and passionate as the role involves a lot of responsibilities. On a daily basis, the candidate will lead and interact with volunteers from all over the world of different backgrounds and needs; the candidate must be able to multitask and strive to ensure our volunteers have a meaningful and impactful program. The chosen candidate will be expected to complete his/her duties in a disciplined and professional manner while maintaining a balance between work and fun.

Atoll Marine Centre, located on the local island of Naifaru, will generally have two marine biologists on duty. Duties include: caring for the sea turtles, progressing our coral gardening efforts, raising environmental awareness within the community, monitoring local reef health, and managing the international volunteers who pay to participate in the Marine and Turtle Conservation program. Daily work revolves heavily around sea turtle husbandry and care. If the candidate is able to effectively delegate roles to the volunteers’ strongest assets, more time can be dedicated to more varied and impactful projects.

The resort marine centre, located within Lhaviyani Atoll, will generally have one marine biologist on duty that will make frequent visits back to Naifaru. Duties include: performing beach patrols of and implementing protection for sea turtle nests, progressing our coral gardening efforts, leading formal/ informal educational sessions/activities regarding marine conservation for resort guests, holding children’s club, and leading excursions to Atoll Marine Centre. Daily work revolves heavily on resort guest interaction. A successful candidate will be very knowledgeable on turtles and the marine environment and able to convey the importance of conservation to the resort guests and be able to advocate Atoll Marine Centre and its mission in a positive way.   

Duties Include:

1. Manage the operation and expansion at Atoll Marine Centre and resort centre on a rotating schedule as needed

  • Maintain and improve aesthetic appeal of facilities and educational content/displays
  • Receive and educate visitors during business hours including guest talks, kids’ clubs, fundraisers
  • Advise the resort on ecological matters

2. Manage, expand, and improve Turtle Conservation programme

  • Ensure proper daily sea turtle husbandry duties and data collection
  • Work towards effective monitoring and protection for sea turtles, their nests, and their eggs on beaches including resort, local, and/or uninhabited islands
  • Establish and maintain constructive communication with other sea turtle institutions
  • Continue turtle conservation contributions for the Maldives Sea Turtle Monitoring Network

3. Manage, expand, and improve Marine Conservation Program

  • Monitor and expand coral gardening work through data collection
  • Monitor reef health through fish and coral population surveys in surrounding areas within Lhaviyani Atoll
  • Assist with Clownfish Breeding Program

4. Conduct educational awareness outreach programs to local community and resort guests 

  • Hold weekly nature club lessons (ages 10-15) 
  • Host environmental events for community members
  • Network and maintain contacts with neighbouring islands within Lhaviyani Atoll
  • Marine Biologist at resort will plan and accompany guests for excursion from resort to Atoll Marine Centre 

5. Lead and manage local and international volunteers and marine interns

  • Check-in on safety and health status of volunteers and interns periodically
  • Plan, delegate, and oversee assigned duties or projects are carried out appropriately by volunteers and interns

6. Create and write progress reports, funding reports, and funding/grant proposals as needed

7. Work closely with two other marine biologists on a rotating schedule between Atoll Marine Centre and resort centre

Requirements to Apply 

1. Possess a Bachelors degree with experience in a related field (I.e. Marine biology, Marine Ecology, etc)

2. Possess proven experience working in a tropical and/or developing country. 

  • Living conditions such as shared accommodation is basic, food is simple and limited in variety, culture runs on “island time” which is more relaxed as far as time schedule, supplies are limited

3. Be hospitable and approachable with a friendly “team player” amongst colleagues, volunteers, and interns

  • This position requires daily communication and interaction with resort guests, staff, volunteers, and community. Advocate for Atoll Marine Centre and its mission by educating and communicating with resort guests

4. Have the ability to work both independently and/or in a group to create ideas to mould the programs going forward

5. Must feel comfortable with public speaking, confident in his/her marine science knowledge, and be charismatic when delivering informative presentations to tourists, children, or even members of the council or other NGOs

6. Must be physically fit, a comfortable/strong swimmer, and preferably a confident free-diver. Candidate will perform strenuous activity (including lifting heavy loads 20+kg, standing, bending, kneeling, squatting) and must commute the island by foot under extremely hot weather without much shade/shelter

7. MUST be available by end of November 2020 for minimum 3-6 months

8. Only applications with a cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV) will be considered

Preferred/Desirable:

1. Experience working with sea turtles (either in a wild- or captive-scenario)

2. Experience with coral propagation and gardening

3. Working knowledge of reef ecology and tropical marine species identification and behaviour

4. Experience working in hospitality

5. Able to lift minimum 23 kilograms

Salary: Unpaid 

Start Date / Duration: end of November 2020, for 3-6 months

Benefits: 

• Boarding and Accommodation covered

• Domestic/Internal Travel covered

• Visa application and processing covered

• One fun Weekly Excursion (snorkel trips, visits to uninhabited islands, etc) covered

• 20% discount if you return in the future as a volunteer

To be considered, applicant must submit: CV and cover letter to coordinator@atollvolunteers.com 

Questions are welcome. Check our website & social media atollmarinecentre.com, atollvolunteers.com , Instagram: @atollmarinecentre, @atollvolunteers , Facebook: Atoll Volunteers(Maldives), Atoll Marine Centre

This is an urgent position and therefore we will be rolling applications until the best candidate has been selected. Applicants must be available to begin working by the end November 2020 and commit for a 3-6-month period

 
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