Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 02:18:29 +0000
From: Vaidas Kirsys <vaidas.kirsys@gili-lankanfushi.com>
Subject: [Coral-List] Volunteer opportunity in an eco conscious resort
in Maldives
To: “coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov” <coral-list@coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
Message-ID:
<F9B7C530D9B59442B535871822076E0B4242937D@glmrsvrmail1.gili-lankanfushi.com>

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Greetings from Maldives!

Gili Lankanfushi, an eco-conscious resort in the Maldives, is urgently looking for a volunteer to work in a guest-awareness focused position. The resort will provide accommodation and food, and the volunteer will have to cover the flight costs.

The particular focus for the volunteer will be work on the Coral Lines project http://lines.lankanfushi.com, which is a long-term reef rehabilitation project and research study.  For this project we will be using a 2 stage method, based on forestry principles i.e. grow out coral fragments in a mid-water nursery on ropes, and transplant to the reef after 1 year, experimenting with transplantation techniques. In addition to the Coral Lines Project, the volunteer will assist in our guest awareness programmes and the guided snorkeling activities that we run in the resort.

Before you apply please consider if you would be able to work on a remote, small-island (700m by 200m) in a very small community of fellow employees where you live in a designated staff area.
Also, Maldives is a strict Muslim country, so any candidate must be very sensitive to the culture and religious beliefs and you are expected to maintain an exemplary attitude and appearance even when off-duty.

POSITION:           Volunteer Marine Biologist

GENERAL SCOPE:              Assisting the Marine Biologist & Environmental Officer with the Coral Lines project through research, as well as actively helping with guest and host education programs, biological consultancy and monitoring, as well as nature conservation projects. The role involves a lot of guest contact.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
-Bsc in Marine Biology related degree, with knowledge of coral reef and island ecology, experimental design and statistical analysis
-PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent)

SPECIAL SKILLS:
-Excellent communication, presentation and guest contact skills
-Fluent in both spoken and written English
-Computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Minitab, SPSS and internet navigational skills. Underwater photography skills an advantage

MAIN DUTIES:
-Assist in all the maintenance and monitoring activities of the Coral Lines project including scuba work at underwater nursery, electronic database and website management.
-Collect data and conduct active research on Coral Reef Rehabilitation science within the framework of the Coral Lines project.
-Guide guest snorkeling trips once a day in the house reef or by boat
-Accompany guests on scuba diving trips as required
-Provide regular presentations about any issues related to sea and island life
-Write articles for the Underwater World blog.
-Organise reef and beach cleaning at the resort and local islands
-Contribute to promotional and educational material concerned with natural features of the resort (flora, fauna, marine life information) for newsletters, posters, etc.
-Carry out monthly measurements at benchmark positions as part of beach monitoring
-Assist in reef monitoring
-Highlight any other conservation issues to resort management that could be improved, and find ways to improve them for overall sustainability.
-Ensure that all injured/distressed marine and terrestrial organisms are looked after and that animal welfare issues are addressed.
-Engage, contribute, drive and develop research and conservation programs that are relevant to the North Male Atoll and Maldives, e.g. diving for data collection for Manta Trust

BENEFITS:
-Volunteer position
-Shared (twin) staff accommodation and all meals at staff restaurant will be free-of-charge.
-More details will be provided in the information package as part of the application process.

LOCATION:         Lankanfushi Island, North Male Atoll, Maldives
PLACEMENT:      1 year.
START DATE:      May 2014

HOW TO APPLY?  Do not reply directly to this email. Please send your application, including your CV with a photograph and a covering letter to Vaidas.kirsys@gili-lankanfushi.com<mailto:Vaidas.kirsys@gili-lankanfushi.com>. An information package will follow with more background information.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 21st of April 2014.

With Regards
Vaidas

VAIDOTAS KIRSYS
MARINE BIOLOGIST & ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives