Media and Sea Turtle Research Assistant

Organisation : Lang Tengah Turtle Watch

Title : Media and Sea Turtle Research Assistant

Location : Tanjong Jara Resort, Terengganu, Malaysia

Duration : minimum 3 months, starting March 2023 (or soonest possible)

Lang Tengah Turtle Watch is looking for a passionate and engaging individual who is willing to gain experience in conservation communication work at their mainland project, based at the prestigious Tanjong Jara Resort on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This project provides plenty of opportunity to get practical field experience and document the hands-on conservation work being undertaken by yourself and the organisation.

Work description

LTTW operates a Visitors’ Hut and multiple hatcheries in collaboration with Tanjong Jara Resort, as well as one new project site further down the coastline (Chakar Hutan), an island research camp (Lang Tengah Island) and an island AirBnB property (Perhentian Besar). You will be primarily based at our Tanjong Jara Resort project site, following and documenting the activities undertaken by yourself and the rest of the team on site – from day-to-day activities, to one-off events.  You will also be required to travel between project sites periodically, to document events there and gather content.  Your scope of work will include, but isn’t limited to, the following:

• Documenting daily activities and special events with which you will be partaking at project sites, through photographic and video mediums
• Compiling content we can use for social media, reports, sponsors, newsletters, media coverage and more
• Creating engaging stories that can be turned into social media campaigns and articles about our work and wider conservation news, research and discoveries that relate to LTTW’s work
• Liaising with project managers across sites and in Kuala Lumpur
• Assisting on-site staff members with aspects of conservation work, which may involve any of the following:
• Collecting biometric and photo-ID data of nesting mothers.
• Relocating sea turtle nests into our hatcheries.
• Carrying out nest checks, hatchling releases and post hatch inspections.
• Inputting data gathered during nest monitoring, relocations, nest checks and post-emergence inspections.
• Giving informative briefings to guests during these activities.
• Being based at our Visitors’ Hut and being on hand to chat with resort guests and answer any questions.
• Ensuring the hatchery, visitors’ hut and our accommodation are kept clean and tidy at all times.
• Liaising with Tanjong Jara Resort staff to inform them about hatchling releases, nest inspections etc.
• Helping to coordinate and carry out beach cleanups and outreach programmes involving local schools.
• Ensuring the project house is kept clean & tidy with the help of our team through daily chores on a rota basis.
• Adhering to all safety measures, protocols, procedures and budgets as directed by LTTW.
• Assisting in any other duties that may be required including cover for team member’s leave and illness, shop for project supplies and participate in local events.

One-week training at Lang Tengah Island

For this role, (depending on start date) you will be sent to Lang Tengah for a week of training at our jungle camp before you come to Tanjong Jara, where you will learn about sea turtle and coral biology, ecology, and conservation.  You need to be comfortable living in a stripped-back and open-air camp, which lies slightly recessed behind the secluded beach of Turtle Bay. Think rustic, jungle living - bucket-showers and campfires.  This will also offer you an introduction to the project site and team here, and an opportunity to start compiling photographic, videography and storytelling materials from the Lang Tengah project.

Take a tour around our campsite with this video made by our volunteers!

As Tanjong Jara Resort is a 5-star hotel (http://www.tanjongjararesort.com) we aim to maintain a high quality of operations and therefore want you to be able to answer any questions that may be directed your way without hesitation.

General requirements

• Passion for conservation communication
• Passionate and skilled photographer & videographer
• Excellent English proficiency
• Experience in public outreach and engagement
• Outgoing - you will representing the organisation on a daily basis while liaising with resort staff and guests
• Organised and have strong attention to detail
• A shared understanding and passion for LTTW’s vision, mission and brand
• Able to live and work in a small team, in shared accommodation
• Be a self-starter, with initiative and drive, being able to work independently
• Willing to travel between our project sites to gather content
• Expecting to work irregular, sometimes long hours, during the day and sometimes at night
• Culturally sensitive
• Basic understanding of conservation, ecology and the associated challenges
• Background in ecology and conservation would be beneficial

This is a great opportunity to get involved with a small organisation that is growing rapidly and needs help in engaging more of the general public with its work, in order to create the interest and societal change that LTTW wants to see. This means that your work has a real impact on the success of the project and you will also be contributing to shaping the future of the organisaton. In 2022 we were able to save over 20,000 eggs at Tanjong Jara Resort, which would have otherwise been sold to the market for human consumption. All of these nests were relocated into the safety of our hatcheries, where they were monitored by our team until their release.

This position will offer a stipend of 800 MYR/month and we will also cover your in-country travel costs, food and accommodation whilst on the project. You will be living in the staff quarters of the resort, along with up to four other interns. Travel to and from Malaysia is at the expense of the candidate.

If you feel you’re the right person to be part of our young, passionate and dynamic team of conservationists, please do send through a copy of your C.V., a cover letter and a portfolio of your conservation/environmental/nature photography and/or videography and/or storytelling work to our Co-Founder, Raphe van Zevenbergen at raphe@langtengahturtlewatch.org by 23rd March 2023 with 'Media and Sea Turtle Research Assistant' as the subject heading.

To find out more about the project: www.langtengahturtlewatch.org 

Facebook: Lang Tengah Turtle Watch

Instagram: lang_tengah_turtle_watch