ThaiNGO

1. Background:

For over 50 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. As the world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works across 100 countries and is supported by close to 5 million members globally. WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at all levels locally to globally, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.

WWF-Thailand is initiating its Rewilding the Dawna Tenasserim Program, designed to accelerate tiger recovery and habitat connectivity in the Dawna-Tenasserim Landscape, composed of 21 protected areas in the Western Forest Complex and the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex. The Program will consist of two components:

1. Develop a partnership with Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) to augment large native herbivores  -- historic tiger prey --  in multiple protected areas where populations are currently insufficient to support tiger populations.  Over 5 years, the program will evaluate protected areas for augmentations, improve prey habitat, translocate 200 sambar and possibly other prey species into suitable habitat,  and monitor their survival post-release. Our goal is to accelerate prey recovery, setting the stage for tiger population range expansion in available habitat.

2. Build a multi-faceted program to restore the Tenasserim Corridor, the 120 km-long natural linkage between Thailand’s two primary tiger ecosystems, the Western Forest and Kaeng Krachan Forest Complexes, both designated as World Heritage Sites. Over 5 years, the program will collaborate with local communities, provincial and national agencies, and small and large landholders to implement a suite of complementary landscape recovery activities, including technical support for community forest designation and management, collaboration with government land managers to manage remaining forests to maximize connectivity for wildlife movement, and assessment and mitigation of existing and planned linear infrastructure barriers to wildlife movement (roads, high tension lines, pipelines, etc.). Our ultimate goal is to stop forest fragmentation and establish a positive trajectory of restored habitat connectivity, ultimately leading to improved movement of a range of wildlife species throughout  the corridor.

WWF is seeking a Senior Program Manager at 100% level of effort to lead the project in Thailand

2. Major Functions:

The Senior Program Manager (PM) will be responsible for overall program management to achieve the program’s goals and targets, and ensure all activities comply with the project agreement and WWF’s contractual obligations, and donor’s requirements.

The Senior Program Manager will take full responsibility for technical, financial and administrative aspects of the project.

3. Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Senior Program Manager:

• Maintain positive program relationships with  Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Protection, Royal Forest Department, other government agencies, academics, and local and international NGOs;  
• Supervise 2-3 Program Officers;
• Hire temporary field staff as needed;
• Advise and support the Augmentation Program Officer in implementation of WWF’s collaboration with DNP’s Wildlife Breeding Center Division, Research Division, and Protected Area leadership in ungulate translocations; ensure compliance with WWF’s Translocations and Animal Handling and Environmental and Social Safeguards Standards;
• Supervise consultants as needed;
• Advise and support Connectivity Program Officer(s) in implementation of the Tenasserim Corridor connectivity restoration initiative, including high-level coordination with senior government and NGO partners;
• Coordinate with partner INGOs/CSOs;
• Ensure timely completion of permitting and reporting requirements of Thailand government agencies;
• Monitor deadlines and tangible achievements;
• Report on activities according to donor requirements and M&E plans;
• Support other work as required.

4. Profile:

Required Qualifications       

• Postgraduate degree (MSc. or Ph.D.) in wildlife or conservation biology, natural resource management, or related fields;
• At least 10 years of experience in (Thailand preferred) conservation program oversight, protected area management, wildlife research, or wildlife management;
• Demonstrated experience in wildlife and landscape conservation program development and leadership.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and diplomatic skills with the ability to manage and interact at all levels of an international, multicultural and multilingual organization;
• Ability to advance the goals of two parallel programs that may experience scientific, management, and/or political uncertainties;
• Experience in training field staff;
• Familiarly with governmental and non-governmental environmental conservation initiatives, key players, and challenges in Thailand;
• Fluency in Thai and competence in English.

5. Working Relationships:

Internal: WWF-Thailand Conservation, Finance, and Communications staff, as well as WWF Greater Mekong specialists and WWF-Network donor offices (WWF European and other national offices).

External: Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation and Royal Forest Department leadership, provincial and military representatives, individual protected area and wildlife breeding center managers, and wildlife researchers, as well as academic and INGO partners.

This JD covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.