ThaiNGO

Vacancy announcement  

Position: Programme Manager, EXPLORE Programme  

Deadline for application: 30 September 2025

RECOFTC is an international nonprofit organization working towards a future where resilient communities with respected rights thrive in forest landscapes that they manage sustainably and equitably. We take a long-term, landscape-based and inclusive approach in supporting local communities to secure their land and resource rights, stop deforestation, find alternative livelihoods and foster gender equality. We have almost 40 years of experience, we have built trusting relationships with partners from communities, governments, businesses, academia and civil society organizations. Our innovations, knowledge and initiatives enable countries to foster good forest governance, mitigate and adapt to climate change and achieve the UN Global Goals. 

We operate in the Asia-Pacific region, with country offices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam.

RECOFTC is seeking a Programme Manager for the Explore programme, based at the RECOFTC Main Office in Thailand. The position is full-time, with an initial contract duration of 24 months and the possibility of extension, contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance.

About the programme

Explore is a research network and community of practice dedicated to expanding and applying knowledge on forest landscape governance in Southeast Asia. The network is funded by the government of Sweden. It is hosted by RECOFTC, in partnership with the CIFOR-ICRAF, in collaboration with universities, research institutes, governments, civil society organizations, local communities and the private sector in Southeast Asia.  

As a programme, Explore takes a multi-disciplinary, participatory, inclusive multi-stakeholder approach to contribute to climate and development goals such as the SDGs, emphasizing gender equality and social inclusion. It enhances the research capacity of universities and research institutions in the region for the inclusive and sustainable management of forest landscapes in Southeast Asia. 

Currently in Phase 2 (October 2022 to September 2027), Explore supports researchers in conducting quality and transformative research, as well as leveraging these for policy development and implementation at the landscape, national and regional levels.

Tasks and duties

The Programme Manager is a member of the Programme Coordination and Technical Services unit and reports to the Unit Director. The Programme Manager is the head of the Explore Programme Secretariat. Current members of the Secretariat are the Programme Coordinator, the Policy Outreach and Gender Officer, the Administration and Grants Officer, the Finance and Administration Officer and the Communication Officer. 

The Secretariat is hosted by RECOFTC and is responsible for designing and delivering Explore’s primary activities with universities, research institutions and researchers in Southeast Asia in close collaboration with CIFOR-ICRAF. 

The Programme Manager’s main duties are to:

• Direct the implementation of the whole Explore programme
• Serve as the Explore programme’s focal point for:
  • Sida and other donors
  • CIFOR-ICRAF (key project partner) 
  • Sida network partners, including Sumernet, SHAPE-SEA and EPP-SEA 
  • Strategic partners for policy outreach, programme synergies, and fundraising (e.g. AFoCo, APFNet, AUN, FAO and FFP) 

• Oversee development and monitoring of Explore’s annual workplan and budget in line with its five-year programme
• Oversee the review and updating of Explore’s grant selection criteria and guidelines, as appropriate 
• Oversee the workplans and overall budget for Explore’s grant recipients, including ensuring that grant recipients adhere to the Explore financial and research guidelines
• Oversee the capacity development for grant recipients focusing on project management (incl. financial management)
• Contribute to the production of high-quality, effective and influential content focusing on the Explore’s key objectives and scope
• Oversee fundraising activities from non-Sida sources for Explore Phase 2 
• Refine and oversee implementation of the programme’s risk management plan, ensuring that identified risks are avoided and mitigated as necessary
• Provide technical review and advice to Explore research teams related to research plans, associated workplans and budgets, interim reports, and adaptive project and research programme management.  
• Liaise with the Explore Project Advisory Committee (PAC) drawn from academics, policymakers and forest governance experts from around the world. This includes:
  • facilitating the quarterly PAC meetings
  • reviewing and finalizing PAC meeting minutes
  • preparing progress reports for PAC
• Ensure that Explore’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems and efforts effectively serve and comply with RECOFTC’s institutional MEL standards 
• Promote understanding of RECOFTC’s whistleblower policy to ensure that all partners and network members are aware and know how to use it during the project implementation
• Supervise the Secretariat’s coordination with RECOFTC’s seven country offices and provide recommendations on how to engage with universities in ways that will benefit the network and potentially RECOFTC’s implementation of its strategic plan 
• Establish, support and monitor formal agreements with partners, including universities and research institutions in Southeast Asia
• Prepare documents and other key deliverables for the Explore donors, including Sida, in a timely manner
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Unit Director

Qualifications and experience

The Programme Manager must have the following qualifications and experience: 

Essential

• PhD degree in environmental science, social science, political science or natural resource management, or closely related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience implementing and monitoring budgets for a similar research network or multi-country/regional projects on natural resource management or forest governance
• Extensive experience in research and project management including planning, financial management and monitoring
• Demonstrated fundraising experience and effectiveness  
• Strong work ethic
• Extensive experience in working with universities on research or other types of collaboration
• Strong strategic communication skills in network environment and in working with communication teams  
• Strong team building, leadership and networking skills
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Willingness to work in the RECOFTC main office in Bangkok
• Willingness and ability to travel to countries for university coordination, awareness raising and fiscal oversight of grants with the implementing partners of the network
• Champions gender equity and social inclusion in natural resource management and development sectors

Desirable

• Familiarity with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning systems and principles
• Knowledge of one or more regional languages, especially those of Mekong countries
• Good understanding of the role of universities in informing regional and transboundary policy decisions
• Strong public speaking, facilitation and convening skills

RECOFTC’s core values

At RECOFTC, our core values are the foundation of our culture and guide all our work. In addition to job-specific skills and experience, the applicant should possess the following characteristics, attitudes and skills: 

• Embrace innovation 
• Adapt to and learn from challenges 
• Nurture commitment, responsibility and ownership 
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders 
• Commit to sustainability 
• Cultivate participation, gender equality and social inclusion 
• Prioritize well-being  

Commitment to RECOFTC policies and procedures   

At RECOFTC, we uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency and responsibility in all our operations. Our policies and guidelines are designed to ensure a safe, inclusive, sustainable and ethical environment for our staff, partners, consultants and the communities we serve.  

All staff, consultants and contractors engaged by RECOFTC are required to comply with RECOFTC’s policies and procedures while performing their roles with RECOFTC.  

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter. The cover letter should explain why the candidate is suitable for the position, include salary expectations, and provide the current contact details of three referees, including recent supervisors.  Please submit your application by clicking here. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. RECOFTC offers a competitive compensation package.   

For more information about RECOFTC, please visit our website at https://www.recoftc.org/ RECOFTC is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on ethnicity, religion, age, nationality, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, colour, marital status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by RECOFTC's values and code of conduct. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified disabled applicants to participate in the application process. If you require special accommodation, please inform RECOFTC's Human Resources in writing at the time of application. The successful candidate will be selected based on merit. RECOFTC strongly encourages women and individuals from Indigenous and ethnic groups to apply. apply.