Volunteers for Community-based Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Maio Island (Cape Verde)

The Maio Biodiversity Foundation (FMB – Fundação Maio Biodiversidade) was established in 2010 to protect biodiversity on the island of Maio, one of the last remaining rural islands in the Republic of Cape Verde. Maio has pristine beaches, wetlands that support migratory and breeding birds, and a marine ecosystem that is one of the global biodiversity hotspots. Since its establishment, FMB rapidly grew to be one of the most successful conservation NGOs in West Africa. We have internationally recognized projects on marine protected areas, sea turtle conservation, bird monitoring and ecotourism. FMB has strong links with local communities and our projects are supported by local, national and international organizations.

With the approach of the loggerhead nesting season, FMB is now looking for VOLUNTEERS to join our team in Cape Verde. Currently Maio is an international model for its innovative community-based conservation strategy, engaging local communities to the cause of turtle protection. FMB runs this project during the nesting season of loggerhead sea turtles, which goes from June to October every year. 2016 is the fourth year FMB is running the project, covering 95% of beaches and having teams in all main villages in the island.

FMB is looking for volunteers for the following positions:

• Turtle Monitoring and Patrol Volunteer
• Volunteer Research Assistant
• Volunteer Office Assistant  

Volunteers will have the unique opportunity of experiencing closely the Cape Verdean lifestyle and culture while spending the nights walking along stunning beaches under the stars in company of a great team of nature lovers. It is a great chance of learn about the sea turtles, see for yourself all details of the nesting phases and participate in community activities. The volunteer will normally live and work with the protection teams in the communities and will experience different aspects of sea turtle conservation.

Turtle Monitoring and Patrol Volunteers will have as main responsibility to participate in nesting beaches patrols and census and other conservation activities developed by the protection team.

Responsibilities:

1. Help ensuring the protection of nesting beaches and loggerhead females
2. Participate on night patrols and morning census, on a daily regime between 8 pm and 6 am
3. Assist the team leader and guards in field procedures and methodologies
4. Participate in educational and raising awareness activities in local communities
5. Other conservation activities requested by the team leader or team coordination team

Requirements:

1. Minimum age of 18
2. Able to commit with the project for a minimum of 1 week (excluding travel)
3. Interest in conservation and protection of local biodiversity
4. Organize and finance the trip to Maio and contribute to the participation costs

Research Assistants will have as main responsibility to assist the team leader in the scientific data collection and help training new volunteers and guards. Also, will work closely with the project coordinator and have the possibility of being directly involved in scientific projects.

Responsibilities:

1. Ensure the protection of nesting beaches and loggerhead females
2. Participate in night patrols and morning census, on a daily regime between 8 pm and 6 am
3. Assist the team leader in scientific data collection
4. Help training volunteers and guards
5. Participate in educational and awareness raising activities in the host community
6. Establish a good relationship with the host family and the local community
7. Other conservation activities requested by the team leader or the coordination team

Requirements:

1. Minimum age: 19
2. Able to commit with the project for a minimum of 4 weeks
3. Previous experience in turtle or marine conservation and/or academic background in biology or related fields
4. Attention to detail and capacity to follow protocols
5. Organize and finance the trip to Maio and contribute to participation costs

Desirable:

1. Be familiar with nest/track identification
2. Experienced in sea turtles handling and tagging, tissue sampling and nest excavations

Office Assistants will help the coordination team in FMB’s headquarters and will live in the island’s capital and share the working hours between office tasks and field work. This is a great opportunity to learn about the functioning of a NGO and have valuable insights on conservation work in Africa. The volunteer could have the opportunity to get involved in other FMB projects.

Responsibilities:

1. Manage datasheets and data entry
2. Participate in night patrols and surveys
3. Prepare educational material and help organize educational and community events
4. Translate documents
5. Communications: Update FMB’s site, blog and Facebook page
6. Participate in educational and awareness raising activities
7. Other conservation activities or tasks requested by the coordination team

Requirements:

1. Minimum age of 19
2. Able to commit with the project for a minimum of 4 weeks
3. Bring their own laptop
4. Good command of Microsoft Office package (Excel, Word, Powerpoint)
5. Good knowledge of English (oral and written)
6. Organize and finance their trip to Maio and contribute to their participation costs

Desirable:

1. Good knowledge of Portuguese (oral and written)
2. Knowledge of GIS and/or statistical packages

For all the volunteers to be engaged in sea turtle conservation project, it is recommended:

1. Be responsible and trustful nature lovers
2. Be physically and mentally able to walk long distance on soft sand and/or rocks during both dark night or day light, stand or knee for several minutes up to one hour on humid sand
3. Strong interest in interacting with local community and living in sometimes small and isolated coastal villages
4. Interest and respect for the local culture and habits
5. Be physically and mentally able to work under extreme weather conditions: heat, humidity, rain, strong wind, mosquitos and flies – both at night and day time – and keep a positive attitude!
6. Be a good team player and demonstrate initiative, tolerance and motivation when working as part of a small team under sometimes stressful conditions of the turtle protection work
7. Keen to get involved in all aspects of the sea turtle conservation: from field work to educational activities
8. Be able to work independently and be autonomous
9. Some knowledge of English is recommended, unless you have notions of Portuguese, Creole or Spanish

Applications will be accepted for the period between 15 June and 30 November 2016. Please keep in mind that the nesting period, as well as the main project activities, take place between 30 June and 15 October 2016. Office and research assistant positions are limited. We advise you to contact us as soon as possible or at least 2-3 weeks before the desired participation period.

If you are interested in joining our team in Maio this summer, please send an email specifying your desired position, together with your CV, to volunteer@fmb-maio.org. You will receive the application form, information on Maio, FMB and the project and further details on participation conditions and costs.