ThaiNGO

RE-ADVERTISED
TRANG BASED
IKI SPIRULINA FARM
TRANG PROVINCE, THAILAND - FIELD COORDINATOR for A COMMUNITY-BASED SPIRULINA AQUACULTURE PROJECT

Background
NIRAS International Development Consulting (https://www.niras.com/sectors/development-consulting/) is one of Europe's largest development consulting firms. We employ +400 permanent staff and have a pool of +25,000 experts in our network. We run projects across the globe and have 51 offices in 27 countries. NIRAS International Development Consulting is part of NIRAS Group, an international, multidisciplinary consultancy company with over 2,200 employees. NIRAS Group provides consultancy in a variety of fields such as construction and infrastructure, public utilities, environmental and natural resources, climate change and energy, planning, process industry and development consulting.

UNON (on behalf of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)), NIRAS, together with Save Andaman Network (https://saveandamannetwork.org/), as the community development organization, are currently setting up a community-based spirulina farm in Trang Province which will grow in constructed ponds. The farm itself will be located in Nam Rab—in all likelihood in the West Kantrang District, approximately 40 km from Trang city centre.

The secretariat of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and their Habitats throughout their Range (Dugong MOU) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is currently implementing the project entitled Conservation of Biodiversity, Seagrass Ecosystem and their Services – Safeguarding Food Security and Resilience in Vulnerable Coastal Communities in a Changing Climate. The Project is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation Building and Nuclear Safety (BMU) through their International Climate Initiative (IKI) and is targeting sites in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
The project includes capacity building activities on spirulina farming to coastal communities in two sites in southeast Asia, leading to the implementation of spirulina farming social enterprises that benefit both communities and coastal conservation in southeast Asia.

Overview
The Field Coordinator is responsible for helping the industry experts implement the project from construction to production and commercial kick-off with the support of a Save Andaman team and the Nam Rap community-based tourism group.
Acting as the eyes and hands of the industry experts on a daily basis, your key achievement will be to:
● Ensure the quality and functionality of the spirulina farm based on clear specifications delivered by the industry experts and technical team.
● Bring together the right local team to take over responsibilities related to daily farm operations.
● Facilitate technical knowledge to wider community members as the opportunity of business expansion and also alternative livelihood for the communities
● Express awareness raising / action toward environmental and natural resource conservation

Responsibilities/duties
● Organize and supervise the construction of the farm by local contractors (including earthworks, erecting a few standard <20-sqm single-storey buildings, several ~200-sqm raised plastic-lined ponds, as well as greenhouses or pond covers with a bamboo frame).
● Liaise between the farm staff and the industry experts to make sure that best practices and operational processes are applied consistently.
● Ensure that all other both internal and external procedures (regarding programme, logistics, administration, legalization etc.) are fulfilled and in particular carry out the authorization, execution and reporting of expenses at field level.
● Ensure the cost-effectiveness of local operations and the sourcing of goods and services required for the project.
● Ensure coordination and the sharing of relevant information with the local partner organization, the local community and NIRAS.
● Supervise or conduct data collection as required by the industry experts.
● Prepare timely and accurate project progress reports as required.
● Facilitate and supervise community workshops related to spirulina production, in liaison with the local partner community development organization and industry experts.
● Facilitate and supervise community workshops related to social entrepreneurship, in liaison with the local partner community development organization and NIRAS staff/consultants.
● Facilitate community workshop related to alternative livelihood and conservation (particularly on the value on spirulina linked to socio-economic to community and how it linked to benefit on seagrass ecosystem conservation).
● Take part in shaping the operational model of the community-grounded spirulina farm with NIRAS staff/consultants and the local partner community development organization.
● Represent NIRAS locally when requested, especially in dealings with communities and local authorities.
● Perform any other task that is necessary to implement the mission programme.
Required skills and experience
 

Experience
● Significant project management experience is compulsory (multiple years or projects).
● Experience involving construction is essential.
● Hands-on experience in community work within a social enterprise or community-grounded project is preferable.
● Experiences on background knowledge of agriculture is preferable.
Personal skills:
● Proficiency in English (especially oral), Thai and/or Thai Southern dialect. The Field Coordinator will indeed have to liaise between the international consultants managing the project, local organization, and the chosen local community in Trang province. The Field Coordinator will also have to source and negotiate products and services, interview workers, etc., locally.
● Proficient in computerized communication (email, Whatsapp, Microsoft office) and basic office skills. It must be noted that the industry experts will mostly work remotely from Europe, with two field missions planned at critical junctures.
● Strong interpersonal skills proportionate to a field position requiring significant teamwork (including in remote teams).
● Demonstrated adaptability, flexibility, reliability, discernment and initiative. Creative resourcefulness is essential.

● Commitment to learn the basics of agri-food management (hygiene, critical control points, etc.) and any other industry-specific fundamentals with the support of the industry experts.
● Commitment to serve the host community in its best interest.

To apply please send your updated resume in English, monthly salary expectations, and a short introduction letter in English to RNIV@NIRAS.DK before Friday, May 6 2022, at 5 PM (BKK/JKT time).

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
Interviews will be conducted online.