ThaiNGO

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 in the Dawna-Tenasserim Landscape, composed of 21 protected areas in the Western Forest Complex and the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex. The Program will work in 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.

WWF is seeking a Project Officer at 100% level of effort to lead the project in Thailand

Major Functions:

The Project Officer (PO) will be responsible for overall project management to achieve the project’s goals and targets, and ensure all activities comply with the project agreement and WWF’s contractual obligations, and donor’s requirements.

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

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Project Manager:

Lead partnership with Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Protection’s Wildlife Breeding Center Division, Research Division, and Protected Area Leadership;

Collaborate with DNP in development of protected area-specific Tiger Prey Recovery Plans, including coordination of any data analyses or field studies identified through planned structured decision-making workshops;

Hire and supervise temporary field staff as needed;

Purchase supplies and equipment in collaboration with Finance Department

Support DNP in translocations, including providing supplies, feed, and equipment for animal rearing, transport, holding, release, and post-release monitoring; Ensure compliance with WWF’s Translocations and Animal Handling and Environmental and Social Safeguards Standards;

Supervise consultants as needed;

Coordinate with partner INGOs/CSOs;

Complete required permitting and reporting to Thailand government agencies;

Monitor deadlines and tangible achievements;

Report on activities according to donor requirements and M&E plan;

Support other work as required.

Profile:

Required Qualifications       

Postgraduate degree (MSc. or Ph.D.) in wildlife or conservation biology, natural resource management, veterinary science, or related fields;

At least 5 years of working experience in protected area management, wildlife research, wildlife breeding, or wildlife management;

Demonstrated experience in wildlife translocation/handling and/or wildlife inventory project design and implementation (camera-trap, line transect surveys, or similar) .

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 a new species recovery program that may experience scientific, management, and/or political uncertainties;

Experience in training field staff;

Familiarity with WWF’s Environmental Social Safeguard Framework (ESSF) or a similar framework preferred;

Familiarly with governmental and non-governmental environmental conservation initiatives, key players, and challenges in Thailand;

Fluency in Thai and competence in English strongly preferred.

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), and temporary field staff.

External: Thailand DNP leadership, 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.