Purpose of the TOR: In this context the purpose of this TOR is to contract an appropriately-qualified person to: coordinate and implement field operations related to research, ecosystem restoration and outdoor education in the context of NM-ED led projects.

 

Background

NatureMind-ED leads transdisciplinary community-based biodiversity conservation projects with the aim of building social-ecological resilience in Southern Thailand. We collaborate with various international and local institutions, Universities, NGOs, Civil Society Organizations and individuals from diverse sectors and integrate multiple agendas. As we are entering the UN decade for ecosystem restoration, ongoing projects specifically target coastal and marine ecosystems but also include terrestrial forest ecosystems with effort towards monitoring and restoring degraded habitats and its emblematic endangered species from Land to Sea. We use the restoration sites as learning opportunities for hands-on learning and awareness building.

The projects we are implementing involve a large portfolio of methods and tools ranging from quantitative ecology and geospatial analyses to qualitative community engagement and stakeholder mapping. The outputs we produce range from reports, academic journal articles, policy briefs, standard operating procedures and public communication material while the outcomes we foster align with adaptive capacity building, social-ecological innovation, transformative learning, community ownership, adaptive governance and biodiversity conservation.

The conservation projects we lead are community-based and transdisciplinary. As such community engagement, transformative learning and participatory processes are central tenets of our projects implementation contributing to project outcome sustainability via increased community ownership an stewardship, contextualized social innovation towards natural resource adaptive management and diversified income sources.

 

While our objectives are project-specific, our overarching aims, transversal to all our projects, include the following:

1. Co-designing, through participatory methodologies, conservation/restoration areas co-managed by communities, private organizations and national authorities geared towards sustainable fisheries, agroecology, carbon off-settings schemes and climate change mitigation and adaptation
2. Build Technical capacity and advance community-based research leadership related to forest, sea grass, mangrove and coral nursery establishment, in situ propagation and monitoring, (various methods including sonar and drone/aerial counting)
3. Co-design Nature-based Solutions with local stakeholders to support alternative livelihoods and income that also contribute to ecosystem regeneration.
4. Planning game-changing communications and awareness plans to inform communities and the general public about ecosystem vulnerability in relation to tourism, climate change and large-scale environmental degradation

In this context, we are looking for an appropriately-qualified person to assist the Principal Investigator and Project Director to manage, coordinate and implement restoration research, and take part in experiential environmental education as requested.

 

Job title: Research & Intern Coordinator

Roles /Responsibilities: there are two main responsibilities that are mutually reinforcing:

 

1. Field research planning, coordination,  implementation and reporting:
2. 1. To assist with field research design and implementation of research/monitoring following established protocols/SOPs under the supervision of the PI/Project director and assistant manager
   2.  Assist with equipment and material purchase + receipts management with the assistance of the administrative officer
   3. To collect field data using a variety of tools and methods such as drone mapping, transect monitoring, scuba diving, water sample collection, biodiversity surveys, camera trapping, seed collections, etc…
   4. To take care as well as monitor projects’ nurseries (Forest, Mangrove, seagrass and coral)
   5. To compile and analyze field data using various softwares under the supervision of the PI and research manager and to keep data organized and up to date with efficiency storage system (google drive)
   6. To conduct stakeholder and governance analysis via desk research on target research sites
   7. To draft technical reports in English/Thai and participate in research manuscript drafting
   8. To assist with the development of research proposals, grant proposals and reporting, outreach programs and funding campaigns
   9. Assist with logistic budgeting and planning for the research project department and financial reporting
   10. To liaise with partners, collaborators and project beneficiaries
   11. Assist with accounting and administrative duties (e.g. DNP research permits application, etc.)
   12. To support social medias and communication

 

2. Research interns coordination:
3. 1. To act as the main coordinator with research students, volunteers and field research team to implement the research activities calendar and ensure execution of research and monitoring following established protocols/SOPs under the supervision of the PI/Project director
   2. To provide weekly debriefs with the students/interns via group discussions as well as regular 1-on-1 sessions to check in with their program process

 

Skills, experience and qualifications

We are looking for a dedicated Thai citizen with good spoken and written English and a holistic mind, preferably with a Bachelor equivalent in Environmental sciences, Ecology and/or project management/coordination. Background in ecology, data collection, monitoring and sampling designs as well as statistics is highly valued. Experience in coordinating with community development projects and interpersonal and communication skills geared towards interacting with local communities in an authentic and genuine manner is highly valued. SCUBA diving qualifications and experience is valued as our projects include coral reef restoration and underwater data collection.

 

Duties

1. During the Engagement the Employee shall:
2. provide the Services in an expert and diligent manner with all due care, skill and ability and use his best endeavors to promote the interests of NM-ED (NM-ED);
3. The Employee shall use reasonable endeavours to ensure that he/she is available at all times on reasonable notice to provide such assistance or information as NM-ED may require.
4. Unless he/she has been specifically authorized to do so by NM-ED in writing, the Employee shall not:
   1. have any authority to incur any expenditure in the name of or for the account of NM-ED; or
   2. hold him/herself out as having authority to bind NM-ED.
5. The Employee is representing NM-ED at all times and should be mindful that their behaviour both professionally and personally should not harm NM-ED's reputation and in signing this Agreement, the Employee is confirming that they accept this responsibility.
6. The Employee should give priority to NM-ED related projects and activities over other employment opportunities and perform other employment only after NM-ED informed consent.
7. Communication about activities under this agreement need to be discussed and approved by NM-ED prior to posting, and should acknowledge NM-ED as project owner and lead entity

 

Qualification of Employee

• Advanced or University-level degree in biology, environmental studies, geography, or related field
• Experience in field-based Ecosystem restoration
• Experience in facilitation and delivering environmental education programs at a high level

 

Compensation:

Compensation will be based on experience.

 

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Contact : pierre.echaubard@naturemind-ed.com / marina.tornorsam@naturemind-ed.com

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ผู้ประสานงาน / Coordinatorนักวิจัย / Researcher