Marketing Internship

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 (R2R), a product of TIDE Tours. The program will combine eco-tourism with valuable hands-on conservation 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 TIDE Tours, with a significant focus on R2R. The intern will be responsible for:

Implementation of the marketing strategy for TIDE Tours in partnership with TIDE Tours manager and R2R manager. This will include, but is not limited to:

-       Participating in TIDE conservation, development, educational 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;

-       Assist with registering R2R on volunteer agency referral sites, including creating content;

-       Creating new and unique content for Ridge to Reef and TIDE Tours’ websites;

-       Creating monthly cross-organizational newsletter for the past and potential clients, donors, and partnering organizations;

-       Managing social media for R2R, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn;

-       Creating and editing brochures, videos and other marketing materials;

-       Representing TIDE Tours and R2R at local events;

-       Assisting the TIDE Tours manager, R2R manager and TIDE Development Director in general promotion and marketing duties as required.

The successful candidate will possess the following skills and qualities:

-       An undergraduate degree level qualification in marketing or communications;

-       Excellent writing and/or visual communications skills including the proficiency in use of PowerPoint, Prezi, Photoshop and/or similar;

-       Creativity and a flare for creating smart, professional marketing materials;

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

-       Good interpersonal skills;

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

The following would be desirable:

-       Sound understanding of the target markets and methods by which to reach them;

-       Experience in a marketing or communications role;

-       A passion for travel and the natural world;

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

-       Desktop publishing or graphic design skills;

-       An understanding of integrated environmental, social and economic issues;

-       Photographic and/or videographic skills.

The marketing intern will be supervised by TIDE Tours’ manager and work closely with the 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 in promoting ecotourism and marketing strategies;

-       A chance to make a lasting, positive impact for the 3 pillars of sustainable development: conservation, community, and economy;

-       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 as well as to experience some of the exciting tour activities TIDE Tours and R2R offer;

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

Please see our websites (http://www.tidebelize.org/, http://www.tidetours.org/ and www.fromridgetoreef.com) for more information about our programs and activities and our Facebook pages (https://www.facebook.com/TIDEBZE, https://www.facebook.com/tidetours and https://www.facebook.com/RidgeToReefExpeditions) for the latest news. To apply, please send your c.v. and a cover letter in an email with the subject line “TIDE Tours marketing intern” to Caroline Oliver, Expeditions Manager, at ridgetoreef@tidebelize.org by Friday 4thth September. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to arrange a telephone interview by the following Friday.