[Coral-List] Job announcement for Banyan Tree Maldives Marine Lab

[Robert Tomasetti]

Dear All,

Please note that the application closing date for the position advertised below is 15th August 2009. Any interested parties should submit their application (resume and cover letter) to robert.tomasetti at banyantree.com for consideration as soon as possible. Preferred starting date for the position of Marine Laboratory Manager and resident marine biologist is 20th August 2009.. Therefore, a “quick start” is preferred but negotiable. Please forward this notice to all qualified individuals. Besides the position noted, a competitive benefits scheme exists within Banyan Tree Holdings. There are no nationality limits for the applicant but fluency in English is a must.

Sincerely,

Robert Tomasetti

Location: Banyan Tree Marine Lab
Property: Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru, N Malé Atoll, Maldives
Position Title: Marine Laboratory Manager

Job Description (Brief)

The Banyan Tree Marine Lab is looking for a Marine Lab Manager/Marine Biologist. The ideal candidate should be an ‘all rounder’ with experience in research, practical conservation, project and team management, and environmental education, and be able to initiate and conduct independent research as well as maintain diverse research projects in collaboration with international scientists. Please find below the outline of the job description, person specifications, and lab overview. We are looking for a quick start. If you would like more information or to submit an application please email robert.tomasetti at banyantree.com.

Job Purpose: Working within a high-end resort environment you will maintain and develop the on-site Banyan Tree Marine Laboratory research and conservation programmes and manage and provide operational support for the Marine Lab and staff of Angsana Velavaru, Angsana Ihuru, and Banyan Tree Madivaru as well as upcoming resorts in the Maldives. Environmental projects must be maintained on two neighboring islands but you will occasionally be asked to coordinate with research programmes at our Marine Lab on Angsana Velavaru.. You will be reporting to the Director of Conservation.

The Lab’s current work includes maintaining and expanding a nine-year sea turtle conservation and tagging programme, coral restoration and reef monitoring work, stingray feeding and monitoring, beach erosion research, and overseeing and coordinating experiential educational programmes and internships for school children.

The Lab receives a fair amount of media coverage from international television, film makers, radio, newspapers, magazines, and other journalists and the Marine Lab Manager must convey the conservation ethics of Banyan Tree and the environmental needs of the Maldives in a personable manner.

Many of our projects are conducted in collaboration with members of the international scientific community. The Lab has affiliations with Southern Cross University, Australia; The University of Auckland School of Geology, Geophysics, and Environmental Science, New Zealand; The University of Guam Marine Laboratory and Aspidochirote Working Group; and Biorock and the Global Coral Reef Alliance, among others, including individual researchers worldwide.

A. Education
i. Communication of Marine Lab and resort ethos; of basic marine biology and relative environmental conservation needs to resort guests and educational interns through marine biology classes and fieldwork.
ii. Expand knowledge and skills base of resort staff regarding environmental awareness & appropriate behaviours.
iii. To create and develop educational materials as required

B. Training of Marine Lab Staff regarding
i. Increasing relevant knowledge through internal lessons and training sessions
ii. Acquisition of necessary project management and scientific skills such as data collection and analysis
iii. Up to date scientific research initiatives and scientific knowledge
iv. The framework for initiating (sustainable) projects
v. Education of other groups as outlined in section A.

C. Information Dissemination
i. To communicate Marine Lab activities to resort guests and visitors through regular newsletters and written information displayed in the noticeboard as well as through hour-long marine classes (powerpoint presentations) held four times per week for resort guests.
ii. To communicate Marine Lab activities to Head Office in Singapore through whatever means necessary
iii. To communicate Marine Lab activities to the public through press releases, reports and articles that can be fed through the corporate PR network

D. Communication Networking
i. To increase the Marine Lab position by liaising and initiating communications and collaborative projects with relevant scientific groups or individuals. This is to be done in consultation with the Director of Conservation.
ii. To maintain contact with the scientific community and to stay up to date with current research efforts, scientific knowledge and other related matters.
iii. To liaise with existing scientific / research partners to oversee research and maintain continual communication to ensure the success of research initiatives and projects.
iv. To expand awareness of the Marine Lab and communicating environmental consciousness in the host country by establishing links with schools etc, to conduct workshops/lessons and organize activities to achieve this goal.

GENERAL DUTIES
1. Maintain staff attendance records
2. Maintenance of Lab environment and equipments
3. Ordering of Lab equipments and stocks, to follow up where needed
4. Completion and submission of training, attendance and all other administrative reports to relevant department
5. To attend Head of Department meetings, morning briefings and all other assemblies and conferences where applicable
6. To liaise with all other departments and departmental heads regarding both Marine Lab and general resort operations
7. To mediate between other departments, senior management and head office regarding Marine Lab staffs and operations, and to disseminate information from all other sectors of the business to Marine Lab staffs
8. To organize and chair weekly/monthly meetings and to maintain minutes
9. To coordinate administrative duties and to ensure the smooth running of the Lab and well being of the Marine Lab team including developing and maintaining holiday/leave planners.
10. To oversee and coordinate the general daily operations of the Marine Lab including feeding times and guest liaison.
11. To ensure that all Marine Lab staffs perform all their duties to the highest standard and to ensure that guest liaison, customer service and guest activities are conducted in accordance to company standards.
12. To perform all guest liaison activities as requested or required.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION CRITERIA
1. Welfare and condition of all research projects and facilities, including captive animals
2. Accuracy, rigor and consistency of data collection, analysis and other administration
3. Successful operation of Lab research efforts and general duties, including guest relations
4. Production of reports, assessments and publications, including presentation of work at scientific conferences
5. Feedback from visiting scientists / research partners
6. Guest comments and interactions (including generation of revenue for Lab)
7. Safety record of Marine Lab operations, staffs and guests.
8. Interdepartmental relations and cooperative efforts
9. Punctuality, personal presentation and productivity

Personal Specification Requirements
1. Educated to at least degree level in marine biology or related/relevant discipline. Masters of Science degree in marine science or a related discipline is preferred.
2. Min. 4 years experience working in conservation and/or scientific research field with preference given towards those with heavy marine science experience.
3. At least 1 year experience in team leadership/management and project management.
4. Fluent in English, both spoken and written.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
6. Experience writing formal and scientific reports.
7. Broad knowledge of tropical marine life / ecosystems as well as global conservation issues.
8. Must be a strong swimmer/ comfortable in the water.

Desirable Qualifications
1. Masters degree or higher in a relevant discipline.
2. PADI open water qualified scuba diver.
3. Experience living/working abroad for prolonged periods.
4. Good understanding or fluency in other European or Asian languages a significant advantage.
5. Experience working in public relations, customer service industry or hospitality industry also an advantage.

Banyan Tree Marine Lab

Banyan Tree Marine Lab is a small, independent research facility based on the resort islands Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru in North Malé Atoll, Maldives. The Lab is primarily funded by Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, a Singapore based company with an excellent environmental and social responsibility ethos, and through the Green Imperative Fund (an optional and small nightly surcharge paid by guests which is matched by the resort).

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is an exclusive, luxury resort island comprising 48 individual guest villas and recreational facilities. The Marine Lab has been in operation since 2001, but in 2004 the Lab itself was expanded, now comprising a two room facility (wet lab and dry lab) and additional outdoor space manned by a team of five people fulfilling various operational roles including a Director of Conservation, 2 Marine Environment Officers and a Corporate Social Responsibility Manager.

For more information on the Marine Lab and the projects please visit http://www.banyantree.com/csr

Robert Tomasetti
Marine Lab Manger / Marine Biologist
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, N Malé Atoll, Maldives
Tel. (960) 664 3147
Fax. (960) 664 3843
Email. robert.tomasetti at banyantree.com
Web. www.banyantree.com/csr

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