Marine & Turtle Conservation Program Manager

Overview:

MRCI (Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute) is seeking a passionate and experienced Marine and Turtle Program Manager to lead our Marine Conservation and Turtle Monitoring Programs. This is a unique opportunity to live and work in a globally significant marine environment, managing two hands-on conservation initiatives that directly contribute to the protection of coral reefs, marine biodiversity, and endangered sea turtles.

This position is highly immersive and requires a motivated, adaptable individual who thrives in remote, challenging environments. The successful candidate will balance both fieldwork and program administration, with a willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends, as required by conservation priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Management

• Oversee the planning, coordination, and delivery of marine conservation projects, including reef health monitoring, artificial reef construction and maintenance, species surveys, coral restoration, and underwater clean-ups in partnership with Ocean Conservancy and PADI AWARE.
• Manage the turtle monitoring program at Ampohana and other sites, ensuring regular data collection on nesting, hatching, and in-water turtle activity using best-practice methodologies.
• Progress collaborative projects with global partners (e.g., Olive Ridley Project, Wildlife Conservation Society, Korai), including research proposals, stakeholder engagement, and contributions to large-scale initiatives such as the GEF-7 coral reef refugia project.

Volunteer Coordination and Training

• Lead training sessions for volunteers, including species identification (fish, corals, invertebrates) and survey methodologies.
• Oversee volunteer participation in daily fieldwork activities such as fish, invertebrate, and substrate surveys, artificial reef cleaning, coral nursery maintenance, and turtle monitoring.
• Ensure volunteers receive thorough orientation on health and safety protocols, research techniques and conservation ethics.

Field Research & Data Collection

• Conduct regular field surveys to monitor coral reef health, fish population density, and invertebrate biodiversity.
• Coordinate turtle monitoring activities, including beach patrols, data collection on nesting and hatching success rates, and tagging turtles for research purposes.
• Analyse and report collected data to contribute to ongoing research and conservation efforts and share findings with partners, government bodies, and stakeholders.

Community Engagement & Education

• Foster relationships with local communities to promote sustainable fishing practices and increase awareness of marine and turtle conservation.
• Organise community beach clean-ups and educational workshops in collaboration with local leaders to enhance environmental awareness.
• Work with the community development team to support environmental education initiatives in local schools.

Partnerships & Reporting

• Collaborate with global partners such as PADI AWARE, Ocean Conservancy, and other organisations to strengthen the impact of MRCI’s marine conservation efforts.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports on program activities, progress, and challenges for MRCI’s management team and stakeholders.
• Assist in writing grants and securing funding for new and ongoing conservation projects.

Key Qualifications:

Education: Degree in Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in marine conservation, project management, or a related role.
• Strong understanding of coral reef ecosystems, marine biodiversity, and sea turtle conservation.
• Experience in volunteer management, community outreach, and training is beneficial.

Certifications:

• PADI Divemaster or equivalent.
• Experience in leading dive trips and supervising underwater research activities.

Skills:

• Excellent organisational, leadership, and communication skills.
• Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities.
• Ability to work in remote, challenging environments and adapt to changing conditions.

Personal Attributes:

• Passion for marine conservation and a commitment to MRCI’s mission.
• Highly motivated and proactive with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural team and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.