Conservation Intern, Belize

Position Title:                                Conservation Intern 

Closing date for applications:          June 19th 2014

Contract duration:                         6 months

Start date:                                    As soon as possible

About Blue Ventures

Blue Ventures is an award-winning marine conservation organisation working to rebuild tropical fisheries with coastal communities. We’re committed to protecting marine biodiversity in ways that benefit coastal people. We work in places where the ocean is vital to local cultures and economies, and where there is a fundamental unmet need to support human development.

Summary job description

The role of the Conservation Intern involves analysing coral reef, bird and manatee data collected via Blue Ventures expeditions, and leading in-water surveys of invasive lionfish across Belize under the management and guidance of the Country Coordinator. With these analyses, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to contribute towards programmes that have real conservation impact, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the development of a national strategy for control of invasive lionfish in Belize. The Conservation Intern will also assist with the collection of socioeconomic data, under the direct supervision of the Community Officer, helping us streamline the design of our invasive lionfish campaign, understand the impact of our work, and ensure that our projects accurately address community needs.

The position will be based at Blue Ventures’ office in Sarteneja and includes travel to remote locations across Belize. The role requires a highly motivated and outgoing individual with a proven track record in planning, development and coordination of marine research programmes. The individual must be a qualified SCUBA diver, well-versed in the lionfish invasion, and have demonstrated experienced in Caribbean reef fish identification.

The selected candidate will have the opportunity for authorship on reports, with potential for submitting for peer review, will build their experience in applied natural and social sciences, and receive training to PADI Dive Master.

Responsibilities

National Lionfish Control Strategy

• Organise and lead lionfish threshold density surveys at coral reef sites across Belize with a network of partner organisations, ensuring lionfish focused search and prey fish biomass survey methods are strictly adhered to.
• Lead data entry and management, and assist with analysis and reporting.
• Liaise with the Country Coordinator on a regular basis, discussing research activities and project progress.
• Work with the Community Officer to conduct social surveys and implement our lionfish social marketing campaign, including designing promotional materials, organising events and liaising with community members.

Expeditions

• Work closely with Field Scientists and volunteers to ensure all data collected via Blue Ventures expeditions are entered correctly and backed up appropriately.
• Analyse data and create annual reports for bird, manatee and coral reef monitoring programmes in Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park.
• Ensure that site rules and regulations are respected and adhered to by all personnel.

Communications

• Produce Blue Ventures’ conservation reports and assist with peer review publications.
• Work with other research staff on site to produce regular research updates, blogs and social media updates, summarising efforts, findings and results.

Additional duties are shared by all staff and include support in the day to day running of the project, endorsement of site rules and regulations, and regular communication with staff in Sarteneja, Bacalar Chico, and London.

Requirements

Essential

• Undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in marine biology or related discipline
• Experience of field research on Caribbean coral reefs
• Excellent Caribbean coral reef fish identification skills
• Skilled SCUBA diver (minimum PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent)
• Excellent data analysis and report writing skills
• Fluency in English
• Good time management, administrative and organisational skills
• Confident, strong interpersonal skills and ability to relate to and work effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, at all levels
• Capacity to work independently and as part of a team
• Willing and able to travel to remote locations across Belize to conduct fieldwork

Desirable

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in marine biology or related discipline
• Certified PADI Dive Master / AAUS Scientific Diver
• Experience living and working in the Mesoamerican Reef region
• Enthusiastic, outgoing and sociable, with excellent networking skills
• Professional working proficiency in Spanish

Application

Applicants should send a cover letter and a recent copy of their CV (with three professional referees) along with the application form to jobs@blueventures.org. Please include the reference “Belize Conservation Intern” in the subject line. The deadline for applications is Friday 19^th June 2015.