Program Manager - Cap Ternay, Seychelles

Take the Lead on Marine Research in Seychelles

Location: Cap Ternay, Seychelles | Start Date: Ideally May, 2026 | Duration: Long-term

🌊 WHERE LEADERSHIP MEETS CONSERVATION

You are passionate about the wild, driven by purpose, and ready to translate your management expertise into an environmental legacy. You want to do more than just participate -you want to lead, mentor, and oversee conservation efforts that have a measurable global impact.

At GVI Cap Ternay, you will be living in a marine paradise, guiding a dedicated team and managing the heartbeat of our Seychelles operations. This isn't just a management role; it’s your chance to be the architect of a sustainable future in one of the world's most vital ecosystems.

✨ WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

As the Program Manager, you are the steady hand and the visionary leader of the hub. While our teams dive into marine research and terrestrial surveys, you ensure the entire machine runs with precision. Your goal is to create an environment where volunteers thrive, staff are empowered, and conservation targets are met with excellence.

This is a role for a resilient leader who masters the balance between complex logistics, rigorous safety protocols, and the human element of communal, remote living.

🎯 WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Driving Impact: Oversee the daily delivery of projects, ensuring the highest standards of quality, impact, and safety across the hub.
• Mastering Logistics: Direct the day-to-day "rhythm" of the program, from participant arrivals and departures to complex base scheduling.
• Guardian of Safety: Lead Health & Safety protocols, acting as the primary escalation point for medical issues, logistics, or emergency responses.
• Strategic Partnership: Work with senior leadership to refine operating standards (OPES) and maintain vital relationships with in-country partners.
• Financial & Legal Stewardship: Manage the hub’s reporting and financial health, ensuring full legal compliance within the Seychelles.
• Mentorship: Act as a role model and leader, assisting in the recruitment and onboarding of the next generation of conservationists.
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🚀 WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Proven Leadership: 3–5 years of experience successfully managing both staff and volunteer teams.
• Scientific Grounding: A professional qualification in Science or Marine Conservation.
• Dive Master PADI certification (Dive Instructor certification advantageous) 
• Resilient Mindset: A "people-first" approach with the fluidity to solve problems in a remote, fast-paced environment.
• Safety First: Formally trained in Health & Safety with a proactive approach to risk management.

Nice to have:

• Technical Mastery: A valid RYA Boat License and EFR 
• Previous experience in safety management or PADI dive qualifications.
• A history of living and working in remote, communal conditions.

🎉 WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• The Essentials: Monthly salary, shared accommodation, and all meals provided.
• Global Growth: A clear pathway for development across our 17 international locations.
• Support System: Access to a training fund, social allowance, and in-house counseling support.
• Peace of Mind: Full emergency medical and travel insurance, plus covered visa costs (where applicable).
• Unbeatable Setting: Live and work in a world-renowned conservation hotspot with a collaborative, purpose-driven culture.

🌴 LIVING & WORKING AT THE HUB

Set in the stunning Cap Ternay, your "office" is defined by turquoise waters and lush tropical terrain.

• Base Life: Experience true communal living. You will share space and stories with a global team of experts and enthusiasts.
• The Pace: Days are active and demanding. You will need the physical fitness to navigate hilly terrain and the mental stamina for long, rewarding days in the field.
• The Reward: You are not just managing a base; you are living at the forefront of the fight to protect our oceans.

🌱 WORKING AT GVI

At GVI, we're driven by the desire to make a positive impact on our planet and its people. Our dedicated teams are actively working to address global challenges, and together, we leverage a diverse set of specialised skills to pursue a shared vision: cultivating a brighter and more sustainable future for all.

Working at GVI is fast-paced and fun. You will join a community that values passion, authenticity, and innovation, and where we treat each other with respect. But we can do better than words to show you who we are! To see what it's really like to work for GVI: 

🎥 Watch Here

📰 Read Here

👥 Meet the Team

✅ YOUR NEXT STEP

This is more than a management position—it’s a chance to apply your skills to something bigger than yourself. If you are ready to lead our mission in Cap Ternay, we want to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and a Cover Letter sharing why you are the right person to take on this mission.

Kindly note: We appreciate every application. If you haven’t heard from us within 3–4 weeks, it means we have moved forward with other candidates, but we encourage you to stay connected for future opportunities!