Marketing Intern

Marketing Internship with the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, Belize

The Toledo Institute of Development and Environment (TIDE) is a Belizean NGO working to protect some of the most pristine coastal and marine ecosystems in Central America, including one of the healthiest coral reefs in the whole Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. TIDE works by building local capacity for conservation and fostering community participation in sustainable management of natural resources.

TIDE is one of the leading conservation organizations in the region and is pioneering new approaches, including the first implementation of a managed access fishery policy in the Caribbean as well as an award-winning environmental education and sports competition, the “TIDE Freshwater Cup.”

Presently, TIDE is financed almost exclusively through grant funding. In an effort to achieve greater financial security and ensure long-term support for our important conservation and development programs, we are diversifying our funding streams. One of the funding mechanisms is TIDE’s subsidiary TIDE Tours, a premier eco-tourism operator that provides tours of natural, cultural and archaeological attraction in Toledo, Belize’s “forgotten district”. A second, novel, funding mechanism is a pay-to-participate volunteer program called Ridge to Reef Expeditions. The program will combine eco-tourism with valuable hands-on experience in a wide range of TIDE’s exciting research and monitoring activities, all taking place in one of the most pristine parts of the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot.

The mission of this marketing internship is to lead the implementation of TIDE’s marketing strategy for its two eco-tourism subsidiaries, Ridge to Reef Expeditions and TIDE Tours. This will involve:

-       Refining the marketing strategy and implementation plan for Ridge to Reef Expeditions in partnership with TIDE’s development director

-       Refining the marketing strategy for Tide Tours in partnership with Tide Tours’ manager

-       Participating in TIDE conservation activities in the field then publishing blogs and articles about them to promote Ridge to Reef Expeditions

-       Taking tours with TIDE Tours then publishing blogs and articles about them to promote TIDE Tours

-       Registering Ridge to Reef Expeditions on volunteer referral sites and creating content for the sites

-       Creating new and unique content for Ridge to Reef and TIDE Tours’ websites and social media pages

-       Creating brochures, videos and other marketing materials

-       Assisting the development director, Ridge to Reef Expeditions manager and TIDE Tours manager in general promotion and marketing duties as required

The successful candidate will possess the following skills and qualities:

-       Excellent writing and/or visual communications skills (either one will suffice – candidates possessing both will have an advantage)

-       Good interpersonal skills

-       Good understanding of the motivations and needs of at least one of our target markets, such as gap year volunteer travellers or older ‘responsible travellers’ with families

-       A passion for travel and the natural world

-       Creativity and a flare for creating smart, professional documents

-       The energy, confidence and initiative to manage your own work and seize the many opportunities at TIDE

-       Willingness and ability to commit to a minimum of six months unpaid work

The following would be desirable:

-       A qualification in marketing or communications

-       Experience in a marketing or communications role

-       Experience living in a developing country and among people of other cultures

-       Desktop publishing or graphic design skills

-       An understanding of environmental issues

-       Photographic and/or videographic skills

The marketing intern will be supervised by TIDE’s development director and will also work closely with TIDE Tours’ manager and Ridge to Reef Expeditions’ manager. Guidance will be provided but the successful candidate will be proactive and self-sufficient. Benefits of volunteering for TIDE include:

-       A chance to gain valuable experience

-       A chance to make a lasting, positive impact

-       Living and working in a beautiful, peaceful, multi-cultural Caribbean town

-       Being part of a friendly and dynamic team of committed individuals in a leading Belizean conservation NGO

-       Appreciation for your dedication and hard work

-       Opportunities to visit the protected areas managed by TIDE and get involved in other aspects of TIDE’s work

-       Adventure in a country with pristine ecosystems, world-class snorkelling and SCUBA

Please see our websites (http://www.tidebelize.org/ and http://www.tidetours.org/) for more information about our programs and activities and our Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TIDEBZE for the latest news. Questions may be addressed to Alexandra Smith, development officer intern at asmith@tidebelize.org. To apply, please send your c.v. and a cover letter in an email with the subject line “TIDE marketing intern” to James Lord, development director, at jlord@tidebelize.org by Friday 29^th November. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to arrange a telephone interview by the following Friday.