Communications Officer

Ya’axche Conservation Trust manages protected areas to maintain healthy rainforests and water quality to help protect Belize’s Unesco World Heritage Barrier Reef.

The Communications Officer will work as part of Ya’axché Conservation Trust’s Development Team, liaising closely with our Marketing & Communications Officer.

The Communications Officer is responsible for maintaining a positive image of Ya’axché among stakeholders, businesses and communities, in accordance with the Communication Strategy. You will also be involved in promoting the work of Ya’axché’s business arm - Ya’axche Institute for Conservation Education (YICE). 100% of YICE’s profits are used to deliver Ya’axché’s conservation and community livelihood projects and programs, including our tourism business, EcoTourism Belize.

This role involves:

• Ensuring effective, consistent communication of Ya’axché’s vision, mission and associated activities to all stakeholders
• Managing the organization’s website, membership program and online campaigns
• Creating consistent and high quality communication pieces (social media, websites, newspapers, televisions, radio, etc.)
• Creating  and maintaining a searchable database for the organisation’s photos and videos
• Acquiring high quality photos and videos for marketing materials
• Supporting the marketing of EcoTourism Belize and special events (Race Against Fire, Farmer of the Year, Summer Camps, etc)

Duration of placement

Minimum 6 months commitment

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in marketing, communication or related field

Skills and experience

• Experience working for conservation and/or development NGO’s
• Communication and marketing experience
• Excellent written and spoken English is essential (fluency)
• Experience in graphic design and web development
• Excellent organizational and computer skills
• Strong interest in environmental science and conservation
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Desired qualification

• Masters degree in Marketing or related field.

Desired skills and experience

• Experience of working for conservation and development NGO's in Belize and/or other developing countries.
• Proficiency in graphic and web design
• Knowledge of conservation and community development issues in developing countries.

Benefits of volunteering with Ya’axché

• Free, shared housing at Golden Stream Corridor Preserve field station.
• Opportunity to work closely with friendly, professional and dynamic multi-cultural staff.
• Adventure in a country with easy access to pristine ecosystems, world-class snorkeling and SCUBA, and cultural heritage.
• In-depth, interactive cultural experience unattainable by tourists.

Volunteer personal expenses

The volunteer is expected to arrange and pay for:

• Transportation to Punta Gorda, Belize, including international airfare
• Food, personal expenses, in-country travel, rent (if living in Punta Gorda where our head office is based, instead of the field station)