Overview

Love The Oceans (LTO) is a lean start-up non-profit marine conservation organisation about to head into our 6th year of operation in Mozambique. Yay! We are looking for smart, educated, passionate Marine Biologists who want to work hard in a spectacular location with stunning megafauna.

Location: Guinjata Bay, Mozambique
Responsibility: 1 week training, support of 2x 5-week long Love The Oceans Research Programs + support

of the 1st week of a 3rd 5-week Research Program.
Required Dates: June 28th 2020 – September 20th 2020 (84 days)

Compensation: Field Specialists do not receive monetary compensation, however LTO does sponsor a variety of costs/activities e.g. accommodation, meals and a contribution towards flight/visa costs. Please see full details below.

Necessary Skills:

We will only accept applications from people who meet the following criteria:

–  Marine Biology or similar Degree
–  PADI Rescue Qualified and above
–  Full, valid driver’s licence
–  Confident public speaker
–  Approachable and open minded
–  Field data collection experience – experience with datasets, data compilation and quantitative analysis
–  Physically fit and able with a positive attitude

We would also like to see (but not a requirement) people who have:
–  Experience working in a pressured environment
–  The ability to work independently and take initiative
–  Experience in a third world country/remote region, preferably Mozambique

The type of person we are looking for:

We need awesome people who have a strong passion for marine conservation, have practical experience with data collection in the marine environment, and who understand the importance of ensuring that we secure a robust data set. You will be adept at separating the personal from the professional as you will be in charge of the welfare of a group of residential volunteers.

In addition to your general awesomeness, you will be smart, able to keep your cool in high pressure situations and be a friendly, approachable sort. You will be dealing, on average, with 19-25 year olds on a daily basis in a stunning but also remote beach location in Mozambique. We’re not going to lie, you will be on-the-go a lot of the time.

Most days you’ll be working from when you wake up to when you go to sleep so someone with great energylevels and a super positive attitude is essential. If this sounds like you, we can’t wait to hear from you!

What we expect you to do:

You will be joining some Venture Leaders and Field Specialists that have already been part of the program in previous years. Our volunteers are a valuable resource in achieving our research goals, and are key to our success. As a Field Specialist you will be responsible for ensuring their safety, keeping them motivated and overseeing their delivery to ensure we secure a robust data set. Your activities as a Field Specialist will be to support the Venture Leader in the organization of, and delivery of all of our research volunteer activities which consist of: coral reef research, fisheries research, megafauna research, ocean trash research and community outreach.

Within these areas your key responsibilities will be:

– Training: Support the delivery of program training materials, including lectures and lab practicals
– Program Delivery: Supporting the day to day activities and ensuring people are in the right place at the right time with the required equipment (including weekend activities) as determined by the Venture Leader
– Research Data Quality Assurance & Equipment: specifically, making sure that data is collected and logged correctly, photographic records and file transfers are completed, and responsibility for equipment management on a daily basis
– Community Outreach & Engagement: supporting a variety of activities that further LTO Initiatives in partnership with the local communities including, ecobricks, education/mural painting at the local schools, swimming lessons, beach cleans
– LTO Representation: you will be responsible for ensuring LTO is represented to our community and stakeholders in a positive and professional manner at all times, and in accordance with LTO ethics, values and behaviours
– Health and Safety: Monitoring the adherence of all program participants to LTO’s Code of Conduct, and ensuring adherence to Health & Safety, raising issues/concerns to the Venture Leader (in the first instance) and/or LTO Management

About Love The Oceans

Love the Oceans is a non-profit marine conservation organisation working in Guinjata Bay, Mozambique since 2014. Guinjata Bay, whilst home to a huge host of marine life, has never been studied in depth for any prolonged amount of time. Love The Oceans is working to protect and study the diverse marine life found here, including many species of sharks, rays and the famous humpback whales. We use research, education and diving to drive action towards a more sustainable future. Our ultimate goal is to establish a Marine Protected Area for the Inhambane Province in Mozambique, achieving higher biodiversity whilst protecting endangered species.

We have developed a cutting edge, ethical volunteer program that gives individuals the chance to get hands on conservation experience, working alongside our marine biologists doing research, community work and diving in Mozambique.

In 2019 Love The Oceans was recognised as 1 of 15 global grassroots #forcesforchange by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and received international recognition for our work.