Marine Biologist / Turtle Specialist / Project Leader

Marine Biologist / Project Coordinator

Organization: Turtle Watch Camp

Location: Pulau Tengah, Malaysia

Start date: April 2015

Principal function:

The position of project coordinator would suit an ambitious individual who wishes to pursue to a career in turtle conservation. Previous expertise in turtle conservation projects is mandatory. Your core responsibilities are the supervision of the conservation work, for example the planning of the night patrols and data collection, the maintenance of the research material and data entry. You will work in an inter-cultural environment and a mixed team of international volunteers and interns.

Responsible for the successful running of the project including the management of all staff & volunteers, project logistics, administration and accounts. To ensure the smooth running of day to day operations, including the science and community projects.

You will need a high level of physical and mental energy and be resilient and determined. The job of conservation coordinator carries a lot of responsibility, and work is extremely demanding both at a physical and mental level.

General role description

Responsible for the overall project management, making sure the project remains on track moving forward to achieve its goals

Administration and control of project budget, ensuring that expenditure does not exceed allocated funds

To ensure the health and safety of all volunteers and expedition/local staff involved in the project

Overall organization and supervision of expedition staff and activities, including the scheduling of science and community programs

Manage and support volunteers, expedition/local staff ensuring all remain happy, motivated and focused on the expedition goals

Duties

• Manage all aspects of field work: ? scheduling of the patrols, ? task allocation, ? equipment maintenance and ? data collection; • Train newly arriving volunteers; • Participate in night patrols and lead morning surveys; • Oversee specific research activities such as: ? tagging and measuring of the nesting turtles, ? nest relocation and subsequent exhumation, ? hatchery functioning; • Organize beach clean ups

• Maintain good communication with field coordinators, camp organisation coordinator or other staff; • Report updated data every week.

Education & awareness: • Assisting with organised turtle watching tours for school/community groups & Batu Batu guests; • Participating and helping with school camps; • Helping design school and community education talk topics & activities (e.g. using drama, art, songs and games) in subject matter concerning marine environment and turtle conservation; • Participating in marine conservation awareness events; • Assist in carrying out educational workshops and activities

Logistics

Undertake any site maintenance with the help of the local staff from Batu Batu resort

Liaise with the logistic manager from Batu Batu resort to ensure volunteers and staff are collected and dropped off in Mersing at their start and end expedition dates

Other

Write project progress reports and other documentation for the organization’s website

Undertake any other tasks that are in the interest of the camp and well being of the volunteers

Qualifications

Applicants are expected to fulfill certain requirements in order to participate in our program. These include:

• Available for 6 months at least

• Masters or bachelors degree in a biology field. • Experience working with turtles in nesting beaches

• Project coordinators should have previous experience in managing camps and/or organizing events; • Experience in working in an inter--cultural environment; • Need to be fit and motivated, and enjoy working outdoors; • Should be a team player with proven leadership skills; • Physically in good condition and good health; • Be a calm and a extremely responsible individual, that withstands extremely difficult and sometimes adverse living and working conditions; • Must have up to date First Aid Certification; (Can be trained on site if needed) • Being able to work in remote areas under extremely basic conditions (no sanitation) • Flexibility to adapt to changing schedules as required (changing between night and day shifts) Living conditions Applicants must be able to withstand basic living conditions and have a true interest in nature conservation. You will be living and working on a very remote island and need to be prepared to live without shops, night life etc. and with limited variations of food. All participants are expected to take active part on camp maintenance and cleaning, as well as some cooking. Applicants should be physically fit and must be able to sit, stand and kneel for long periods of time. Work is sometimes required in rainy conditions and at times bugs and flies are not only common, but abundant.

Terms and Conditions

Contract Duration – 6-9 months contract, with possibility of extension at end of contract term

Salary: Up to 350 US dollars per month and end of contract bonus, depending on performance during contract term

Basic shared accommodation and food provided at the site If you wish to apply for this vacancy please send CV and cover letter to : dive@batubatu.my.com (please state in the subject line, the role you wish to be considered for)

Applications for 2015 will be received until April 10th