CAREERS & VOLUNTEERING

Assistant Project Manager*

Maldives Manta Conservation Programme

Laamu Atoll

Ref: #MMCP-LMU-2026

Deadline: 31st August 2026

*Maldivian Nationals Only

The Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP) is excited to offer an Assistant Project Manager position within our Laamu Atoll project base.

This is a unique opportunity to live and work at the forefront of manta ray research and conservation, combining hands-on marine science with the dynamic world of 5★ luxury hospitality. Based at a world-class resort in one of the Maldives’ most important manta ray habitats, you’ll play an active role in field research - spending your days diving at manta cleaning sites, collecting data, deploying research equipment, and contributing to ongoing conservation projects.

The role also offers the chance to bring marine conservation to life for resort guests and local communities, sharing your knowledge and passion for manta rays while building meaningful connections around the importance of protecting Laamu’s marine environment.

We’re looking for a confident, proactive and adaptable marine conservationist who thrives in the water, enjoys working with people, and is excited by the opportunity to grow their research, project management and science communication skills in a unique and fast-paced environment.

Essential Requirements

• Maldivian nationality (required for residency arrangements tied to this role)

• Interest in, and ideally previous experience of, marine conservation work

• Minimum PADI Divemaster certification in active status (SSI/BSAC equivalent accepted)

• AIDA2 (or equivalent) freediving qualification, or willingness to complete certification if successful

• Physically fit; expect 2–3+ hours a day diving, sometimes in demanding conditions while deploying research equipment

• Fluent in spoken and written English and Dhivehi

• Experience in data collection, data analysis and report writing

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to engage stakeholders including resort management, government agencies and local communities

• A genuine interest in manta rays, conservation, and marine or environmental research and education

• Computer literate, comfortable with Microsoft Excel, and confident learning specialist software such as Lightroom and MantaBase

• Self-motivated with a positive, can-do attitude and a flexible approach to a varied workload

• Willing and able to live and work as part of a small team in a resort-island environment

• Full availability for the contract term: Oct 2026 – Oct 2027

Desirable Skills

• Experience in community development, social work, or a related field

• Prior leadership or managerial experience

• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to plan and deliver to deadlines

• Previous experience working in resorts in the Maldives

• Experience conducting scientific or survey dives

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead guest dives to manta aggregation sites, deliver Code of Conduct briefings, and share MMCP's conservation work with guests

• Collect field data by SCUBA, including deployment, retrieval and maintenance of monitoring equipment

• Carry out photo-ID editing, matching and image analysis, and help maintain the regional manta sightings database and branchial ID gallery using MantaBase

• Assist with research and reporting requirements of project;

• Conduct weekly manta presentations and kids club activities for guests;

• Act as Safety Officer — oversee safety protocols, maintain Health & Safety checklists and Risk Assessments

• Communicate research results clearly to the public and assist with Dhivehi translations of MMCP content

• Support the Project Manager with reporting, including regular updates and an annual report for the national government

• Lead community outreach; engaging local councils and communities through consultations, surveys and awareness activities

• Represent MMCP, when requested, at government taskforces and workshops

• Deputise for the Project Manager during absences, keeping communications and logistics on track

• Support the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) in other research activities whenever needed, this can include reef surveys, coral spawning research, sea turtle research etc.

Equipment Requirements

• Personal laptop and mobile phone for work purposes, with photo-editing software installed (e.g. Lightroom — please note GoPro cameras do not qualify for this role)

• A project camera (with underwater housing) will be provided on loan, with the expectation of acquiring a personal camera within the first 6 months

• 1TB Dropbox subscription, reimbursed by The Manta Trust on completion of the contract term

• Personal dive gear (excluding tanks and weights) and a waterproof timepiece for in-water activities

Inclusions & Exclusions

• This is a self-employed consultancy role, paid at a rate of USD $900-950/month (depending on experience)

• Shared accommodation and 3 meals/day provided by the host resort for the full contract term

• Consultants are responsible for arranging their own insurance, including personal liability cover for diving and snorkelling activities

How to Apply

If you're interested and meet the requirements above, please send your CV/resume (maximum two pages) and a covering letter (maximum one page) to tam@mantatrust.org, quoting the reference above and your name in the email subject line, e.g. 'Laamu Assistant Project Manager Application #MMCP-LMU-2026 – Your Name'.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be held with shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date. Due to limited capacity, only successful candidates will be contacted.

Research & Guest Engagement Internship

Maldives Manta Conservation Programme

Raa Atoll

Ref: #RAA2026

Deadline: 23rd August 2026

The Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP) is excited to offer a Research & Guest Engagement Internship within our Raa Atoll project base.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of marine science, conservation, and luxury hospitality within a 5★ resort environment. The role combines hands-on research and conservation activities with engaging, guest-facing experiences in one of the world’s most iconic marine tourism destinations.

As a resort-based programme, guest engagement is a key part of this role. We therefore particularly welcome candidates who are fluent in English and additionally speak Mandarin or Russian, as these languages greatly enhance our ability to engage with key visitor demographics. We also strongly encourage applications from Maldivian nationals, with fluency in Dhivehi considered a valuable asset for supporting community engagement. However, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, and language skills are just one part of the broader skill set we are looking for.

This internship is designed for individuals seeking hands-on experience in marine conservation within a luxury resort environment, combining guest engagement, education, research support, and data management. While rooted in manta ray science, the role places a strong emphasis on delivering high-quality guest experiences, communicating marine science to a diverse audience, supporting outreach initiatives, and contributing to ongoing research and conservation efforts.

The position also offers a unique opportunity to live and work within a world-class resort environment, while contributing to globally significant manta ray research and conservation.

We are looking for a confident, adaptable, and proactive marine conservationist who thrives in a dynamic, guest-focused environment and is excited to develop both their fieldwork and communication skills.

Location: Raa Atoll, Maldives (Resort-based)
Position Type: Internship
Availability: Minimum October 2026 to December 2026

Requirements

• A BSc degree in Marine Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience). For Maldivian nationals, a BSc degree is not required, although experience working in marine conservation is preferred;

• Ability to commit to the full three-month period, with the possibility of extension;

• Minimum PADI Divemaster (or equivalent) in active status;

• Freediving experience and confidence in freediving between 10-15 metres. Applicants must hold, or be willing to obtain prior to starting the internship, a minimum AIDA 2 freediving certification (or equivalent);

• Strong snorkelling and swimming ability, with confidence in open-ocean conditions;

• A genuine passion for marine conservation, manta rays, and public engagement;

• Confident public speaker with excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

• Comfortable working both in front of guests and independently on data-heavy tasks;

• Computer literate, with experience using Microsoft Excel and general data handling;

• Highly motivated, adaptable, and proactive, with a positive “can-do” attitude;

• Ability to live and work in a remote, small-team, resort environment;

• Fluent in spoken and written English; additional languages are an advantage.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Actively support and deliver guest engagement activities, including presentations, informal discussions, and resort-based educational sessions;

• Assist in hosting and guiding manta-related guest experiences, including snorkelling and diving excursions where appropriate;

• Maintain a strong and professional guest-facing presence, acting as an ambassador for MMCP and our resort partner;

• Assist with the organisation and delivery of structured weekly activities, such as “Mini Manta Biologist” sessions and conservation talks;

• Support data processing and management, including photo-ID processing, database updates, and data entry;

• Contribute to outreach and content creation, including social media, guest materials, and presentations;

• Participate in research fieldwork when opportunities arise, including snorkel surveys and opportunistic sightings;

• Assist with general project administration and logistics;

• Promote safe and responsible marine wildlife interactions in line with best-practice guidelines.

Equipment Requirements

• Personal laptop with photo-editing software (e.g. Lightroom);

• Personal fins, mask, and snorkel;

• A waterproof timepiece, to be worn during all in-water activities.

Inclusions & Exclusions

• Maldivian nationals will receive an internship stipend of USD 500 per month.

• All food, shared accommodation, and internal flight transfers will be covered;

• Scientific training and hands-on experience conducting marine conservation research in the field;

• Interns are required to arrange their own insurance cover, including but not limited to travel and personal liability insurance.

How to Apply

If you are interested and meet all requirements, please send your CV/resume (maximum two pages) and a covering letter (maximum one page) to tam@mantatrust.org, quoting the reference above and your name in the email title, e.g. ‘Internship Application #RAA2026 Joe Bloggs’.

This is an extremely popular and highly competitive opportunity, so really try to impress us if you want to stand out! Completion of this internship may also present opportunities to work with the Manta Trust in the future.

We look forward to reading your application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be conducted with shortlisted candidates before the application deadline.

Due to limited capacity, only successful candidates will be contacted.

If you are a Maldivian interested in future internship opportunities with our Maldives Manta Conservation Programme, we invite you to register your interest. Full details and information on how to get involved can be found via the link below.

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If you are a young person, aged 13-17, you might be interested in applying for our Ocean Ambassadors programme. Find full details and information on how to apply through the link below.