Sawfish: Shark or Ray?

Sawfishes are fascinating and enigmatic animals that, at first glance, resemble sharks due to their elongated bodies, triangular dorsal fins, and shark-like tails. However, these unique fishes are members of the superorder Batoidea, the group of elasmobranchs that includes stingrays and guitarfish. Why are Sawfishes Classified as Rays? Despite their resemblance to sharks, sawfishes possess […]

New Hammerhead Species Discovered

When we hear about a new species discovery, we often picture a rare animal that has defied capture or sightings for years. However, many new species descriptions arise from scientists applying both new and existing knowledge to animals that are already known. This includes examining their body structure, genetics, behavior, and interactions with their environment. […]

A Shark Diversity Hotspot Revealed in Cabo Verde

MarAlliance has conducted a pioneering study to explore the relative diversity and abundance of shark species within the Cabo Verde archipelago. Our latest publication stands as the first baseline study of shark populations in Cabo Verde’s waters, providing critical insights into the biodiversity and ecological significance of these marine predators. The Cabo Verde archipelago, consisting […]

A Beacon of Hope: Transforming Marine Conservation in Belize

Belize, renowned for housing the second-largest barrier reef in the world and three of the four atolls in the Western Hemisphere, is recognized as a hotspot for marine biodiversity and a vital area for ocean conservation efforts.  At the heart of this marine paradise is Lighthouse Reef Atoll, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters and captivating […]

Inspiring Change: Engaging Students in Marine Conservation in Belize

Since Turneffe Atoll was designated as a Marine Reserve in 2012 by Minister Lisel Alamilla, it has become a hub for tourism and research. At MarAlliance, we’ve been deeply involved in studying this unique ecosystem, focusing on fisheries and the economic value of Turneffe’s environmental assets. Thanks to the support from the BIOPAMA program, we’ve […]

Imagine a World Without Sharks: Dream or Nightmare?

Consider a common misconception: many people believe a world without sharks would be ideal. They imagine our oceans liberated from the “fearsome predators” often portrayed in movies and folklore. But what if one of the ocean’s most crucial inhabitants were to vanish? The consequences would ripple far and wide, impacting not just marine ecosystems, but […]

What Happens to Marine Life When a Hurricane Approaches

Hurricane season has arrived with intensity this year, and residents across the Caribbean are closely monitoring NOAA’s Tropical Weather Outlook, but what do marine animals do during storms? Understanding marine life behavior during a hurricane can provide valuable insights into the resilience of our ocean ecosystems. For a long time, this question was challenging to […]

Can You Identify Sharks Based on Their Teeth?

There are over 500 known species of sharks in our oceans, all of whom have unique and fascinating sets of teeth that are specialized to meet the needs of their unique diets and feeding habits. So yes, sharks can be identified based on the shape of their teeth because each species has distinct dental characteristics.  […]

Fin Fiction: The Root of the Damaging Narrative Surrounding Sharks

“Dangerous, blood thirsty, sharp-toothed apex predator of the sea…” While reading this description, did your mind immediately conjure the image of a shark?  Studies conducted in various parts of the world have found that there is a shared apprehension among people towards sharks. While some might dismiss it as a trivial fear, galeophobia (fear of […]

Asistente de comunicación (Internship)

MarAlliance es una organización internacional sin ánimo de lucro registrada en EE.UU., Belice, Panamá y Cabo Verde, cuyo objetivo es explorar, facilitar e inspirar cambios positivos para la fauna marina amenazada, especialmente tiburones y rayas, sus hábitats críticos y las comunidades humanas dependientes. Nuestra misión es amplia y ambiciosa, y trabajamos en tres idiomas y en siete países de tres regiones. Ante el declive de muchas poblaciones de megafauna marina, estas especies necesitan una voz fuerte, eficaz y con base científica que las represente para ayudar a los socios dependientes a dar forma a las estrategias y acciones de gestión y conservación para invertir el declive.

Resumen del puesto:

Buscamos a un becario (6 meses) proactivo, con conocimientos digitales y excelente capacidad de redacción y edición de textos, que apoye la creación de contenidos escritos de alta calidad y recursos multicanal para difundir el trabajo que MarAlliance realiza a través de sus plataformas en línea (sitio web, redes sociales, boletín, entre otras) y fuera de línea, y que interactúe con nuestro público externo para contribuir a nuestros objetivos generales de comunicación y marketing. El Asistente de Comunicación dependerá directamente del Coordinador de Comunicación y Marketing, y trabajará en estrecha colaboración con el resto del equipo para apoyarles en los elementos de comunicación de su trabajo.

Las funciones y responsabilidades incluirán, entre otras, las siguientes:

  1. Proporcionar apoyo creativo, editorial y operativo a los proyectos. 
  2. Apoyo en la organización, etiquetado y etiquetado del archivo fotográfico y gestión del archivo de vídeo.
  3. Gestión de la comunidad: Gestionar activamente los canales de medios sociales, así como identificar nuevas tendencias y oportunidades de colaboración. Generar reels y visuales.
  4. Apoyo en la redacción de artículos de blog (SEO) y contenido de boletines. 
  5. Ayudar a construir y desarrollar materiales, herramientas y acciones para campañas (online y offline).
  6. Ayudar en diferentes tareas relacionadas con la comunicación trabajando mano a mano con contratistas externos (desarrollador web, diseñador gráfico…) para mejorar el compromiso de las audiencias externas.
  7. Apoyo en la elaboración de informes de campañas y comunicaciones (Google Analytics, métricas de redes sociales, informes de marketing por correo electrónico).
  8. Como parte del Equipo de Comunicación de MarAlliance, apoyar al Coordinador de Comunicación y Marketing en cualquier otro proyecto de comunicación, coherente con las habilidades y experiencia del titular del puesto, en circunstancias no rutinarias.

Experiencia, conocimientos y aptitudes requeridos:

  1. Licenciatura en comunicación, periodismo, marketing o cualquier disciplina relacionada.
  2. Experiencia en comunicación digital o marketing.
  3. Pasión e interés por la naturaleza, la vida marina y la conservación.
  4. Capacidad demostrada para redactar y presentar comunicaciones creativas.
  5. Presencia y conocimientos de medios sociales y digitales.
  6. Capacidad para realizar múltiples tareas y detectar buenas historias.
  7. Capacidad para trabajar a distancia y cumplir los plazos establecidos.
  8. Conocimientos de diseño gráfico deseables, pero no necesarios.
  9. Conocimientos de edición de vídeo deseables pero no necesarios. 

Salario y prestaciones:

Estipendio durante 6 meses.

Idiomas:

Español, con fluidez en inglés

Localización:

Nacionales o residentes de Panamá, Belice, México, Honduras, Guatemala.

Este contrato será a distancia dentro de las zonas horarias de América, flexible, a tiempo completo y desde casa con hasta un 10% de viajes ocasionales locales e internacionales.

Cómo presentar la candidatura:

Por favor, envíe su currículum, portfolio si lo tiene, y carta de presentación a info@maralliance.org con “MAR-CA_Apellido” en el asunto antes del 21 de marzo, 2024. No se admiten llamadas.

Communications Assistant (Internship)

MarAlliance is an international non-profit registered in the US, Belize, Panama and Cabo Verde that aims to explore, enable and inspire positive changes for threatened marine wildlife – notably sharks and rays – their critical habitats and dependent human communities. Our remit is broad and ambitious, and we work in three languages and across seven countries encompassed by three regions. In the face of declines in many populations of marine megafauna, these species need a strong, effective, and science-based voice to represent them to help dependent partners shape management and conservation strategies and action to reverse declines.

Position summary:

We are seeking for a proactive, digitally savvy Paid Intern (6 month) Communications Assistant with excellent writing and copy editing skills, who will support the creation of high-quality written content and multichannel assets to broadcast the work MarAlliance does through its online (website, social media, newsletter, among others) and offline platforms, and engage with our external audiences to contribute to our overall communications and marketing goals. The Communications Assistant will directly report consistently to the Communications and Marketing Coordinator, and work closely with the rest of the team to support them on the communications elements of their work.

Duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  1. Provide creative, editorial, and operational project support. 
  2. Support organizing, labeling and tagging the photo archive and video archive management.
  3. Community Management: Actively manage social media channels, as well as identify new trends and collaboration opportunities. Generate reels and visuals.
  4. Support with writing blog articles (SEO) and newsletter content. 
  5. Help build and develop materials, toolkits, and actions for (online and offline) campaigns.
  6. Assist in different communications-related tasks working hand in hand with external contractors (web developer, graphic designer…) to improve the engagement of external audiences.
  7. Support in campaign and communications reporting (Google Analytics, social media metrics, email marketing reports)
  8. As part of the MarAlliance Communications Team, support the Communications and Marketing Coordinator with any other communications projects, consistent with the skills and expertise of the post holder, in non-routine circumstances.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills Required:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or any related discipline.
  2. Experience working in digital communications and or marketing.
  3. Passion and interest for nature, marine life and conservation.
  4. Proven ability to write and deliver creative communications.
  5. Social Media and digital presence and knowledge.
  6. Ability to multitask and spot good stories.
  7. Capable of working remotely and meeting established deadlines.
  8. Graphic design skills are desirable but not required.
  9. Video editing skills are desirable but not required.

Salary and benefits:

Stipend for 6 month.

Language:

English, Spanish are mandatory.

Location:

Panama, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala nationals or residents. 

This contract will be remote within the Americas time zones, flexible, full-time and home-based with up to 10% occasional local and international travel.

How to apply:

Please send your resume, portfolio if you have one, and cover letter to info@maralliance.org with “MAR-CA_Last name” in the subject line by 21st of March, 2024. No calls please.