ThaiNGO

Earthworm Foundation

Earthworm Foundation (EF) is an international and dynamic non-profit organization, which helps companies transform their supply chains across the world for the benefit of people and nature.

EF is seeking a motivated

Environmental specialist

based in Surat Thani, Thailand

This position will be responsible for technical and coordination support to farmers, national public and private scientific institutions and Nature-based Insights (NBI), a social venture spin-out from the Nature-based Solutions Initiative at the University of Oxford. S/he will be in charge of maintaining research quality for biodiversity monitoring in the project area. She/he will be responsible for ensuring high quality and timely preparation of research plots, and coordination/interaction with national and international experts to assure research quality of biodiversity monitoring in a cost effective and timely manner.

As an Environmental specialist, s/he will support the Project to lead biodiversity research actions in project with close consultation with the project manager and NBI.

Based in Surat Thani Province, she/he will work alongside with an existing Earthworm Foundation team in Surat Thani, working collaboratively with farmers and other local partners to create value and improve smallholder resilience to fluctuations in climate and markets. 

About Earthworm Foundation

Earthworm Foundation currently has a presence in more than 15 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and several locations within Europe and the Americas. We employ more than 200 people worldwide and work with big and small companies, communities and producers of raw materials, to transform practices in global supply chains. With an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, we work on the ground with people to create inspiring transformation stories. We focus on creating value, engage without judging and carry hope and a positive vision of the future.

What Makes Us Unique

Beyond providing advice on policy set up based on our strong technical expertise, we see the world through interactions and relationships. Operating between two worlds (NGO-Companies/Buyer-Supplier), we encourage our partners to look inside, and are not only their environmental conscience. In addition to traceability and assessments, we create and innovate solutions to the challenges companies and communities face.

What We Offer

• A unique work experience in a dynamic non-profit directly impacting the conservation of the biodiversity/ecosystem, and improvements in human rights and social equity through supply chains.
• An organic environment with the chance to work in a multicultural team

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and prepare biodiversity research sites with team in close consultation with national and international experts notably NBI
• Coordinate and provision of technical supports and guidance to farmers and national experts/stakeholders to carry on quality research i.e. installation of traps, quadrats

• Coordinate and provision of financial, administrative and logistic supports to farmers and experts to carry on research
• Coordinate and prepare for relevant trainings required by national and international experts
• Field sampling, processing, preservation and deliver of samples for laboratory or expert analysis
• Manage and maintain scientific equipment as part of quality assurance for reliable results
• Attend all relevant trainings to ensure compliant with biodiversity research methodology i.e. management of scientific tool/equipment, sampling and preservation techniques, taxonomic identification of flora and fauna and scientific data management

• Work closely with the team and project manager to coordinate, and plan any other relevant business

• Support the reporting of progress, challenges including the collection and management of raw data
• Plan, coordinate and organize own travel arrangements
• Support other monitoring and evaluation of the effects and impact of the project
• Support the project team to develop new partnerships with stakeholders, including Sustainable Rubber Producing Farmers Association of Surat Thani (SRA), government, NGOs and businesses
• Support school ecosystem education and Human-Elephant Coexistence Initiative
• Communicate and engage with local, regional and global Earthworm teams to share and receive lessons learned, creating opportunities for exchange and personal growth
• Follow EF human resources and administrative procedures and guidelines, including expense reports and timesheets
• Support other EF activities as required

Requirements – Candidate Profile Minimum Qualifications

• University degree or higher-level in natural science, forestry, ecology, natural resource management etc.
• Minimum 3-5 years of work experience in relevant fields particularly to biodiversity research and monitoring
• Understanding of and/or interest in smallholder farming systems and good agricultural practices (preferably for rubber), including regenerative agriculture notably agroforestry rubber
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and activities
• Experience and ability to build strong relationships with farmers and researchers leading to enabling factors for biodiversity monitoring at farm level
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated experience to work in a team environment
• Enjoys spending time in rural areas and working with local stakeholders
• Experience working with researchers and scientific data management
• Possess a valid driving license to drive car and/or motorcycle in Thailand
• Competent in use of Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Positive attitude and high level of initiative
• Committed to Earthworm Foundation values:
  • Action oriented;
  • Entrepreneurial spirit;
  • Client-focused;
  • Collaborative and communicative;
  • Humble;
  • Respects different perspectives.

Language skills

• Native Thai Speaker including Southern dialects
• Strong in spoken and written English

Working conditions / Physical effort

• Position based in Surat Thani Province, Thailand
• Requires a mix of office and field work, engaging with farmers and stakeholders
• Business travel beyond Surat Thani Province

Other information

• Full time (40 hours/week)
• 1 year contract via local partner, for renewal
• As soon as possible (negotiable)

To Apply

Interested candidates are invited to send a cover letter (1 page maximum) and CV (3 pages maximum) in English only via email to malaysia.recruitment@earthworm.org by 5pm Friday 29 March. Please put your “Family name” and “Environmental specialist” in the subject line of the email. Successful candidates will be contacted by email for an initial interview. The position will be open until filled. Only candidates who send a full application will be considered. Only selected candidates will be contacted.