ThaiNGO

The Center for People and Forests--RECOFTC--holds a unique and important place in the world of forestry. It is the only international not‐for‐profit organization that specializes in capacity development for community forestry and devolved forest management whilst taking a landscape approach to natural resource management. The Center engages in strategic networks and effective partnerships with governments, non-government organizations, civil society, the private sector, local people, and research and educational institutes throughout the Asia‐Pacific region and beyond. With over 30 years of international experience and a dynamic approach to capacity development—involving research, analysis and synthesis; strategic communication; training and learning networks; and piloting and demonstrating—the Center delivers innovative solutions for people and forests.

To address the needs and challenges of the Asia‐Pacific region, RECOFTC has developed a new strategy (2018-2023) to help local people find solutions together with government, the private sector, development partners, local institutes, academia, media and others. Building on its previous strategic phases, the 2018–2023 Strategic Plan puts people at the center of change, by empowering communities, governments and the private sector with rights, opportunities for dialogue, networking, technical expertise, tools and knowledge. The Center’s results will help nearly 5 million people in and near forest landscapes live more equitably, with dignity and greater empowerment to protect themselves from the injustices of poverty and environmental degradation.

The Center is currently seeking a qualified candidate to work as Senior Program Officer (SPO), Forest Governance, Institutions and Conflict Transformation, to support and implement its new Strategic Plan 2018 – 2023.  The SPO will particularly be focused on implementing research, policy dialogue and programmatic activities that fall under Strategic Goal 2: “Governance, Institutions and Conflict Transformation”, but will have to work closely with other SPOs to ensure SG2 work is integrated into all programming. This goal seeks to have the rights of local people in forest landscapes protected, expanded and exercised through collaborative management and dialogue. Local people will be connected with government officials, private sector actors and others who can help them establish land rights, govern more wisely, and resolve conflicts or tensions in their landscapes. Efforts will be closely linked climate change mitigation adaptation and mitigation commitments, principles of gender and social equality, and sustainable livelihoods.

The successful applicant will be based at the regional office in Bangkok, Thailand. The contract duration is for 24 months with a possibility of extension subject given satisfactory performance and funding availability. The position requires frequent travelling.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Program Officer, Governance, Institutions and Conflict Transformation (Strategic Goal (SG2)), will report to the Director of the Program Coordination and Technical Services Unit (PCTS). Her/his main role is to conduct and coordinate action research, perform analysis and assess best practices at regional, national (in RECOFTC’s focal countries) and landscape levels, on SG2 topics. The results of such analysis must be strategically used for project implementation, policy recommendations, business development and strategic communications. The SPO will also help in the design and delivery of training programs and capacity development exercises related to SG2, supervise staff who focus on SG2, and actively collaborate with other S/POs who provide technical/subject matter content to SG2-focused and other programs. S/he will constantly strive to innovate SG2 thinking and methods and actively look for ways to expand RECOFTC, particularly with respect to its SG2 portfolio.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior Program Officer’s main tasks and responsibilities will be as follows:

Strategic direction for RO programs and activities on SG2 (40% of time):

• Develop and coordinate action research and analysis in Governance, Institutions and Conflict Transformation. This will include developing, implementing, and monitoring protocols for conducting research.  This will be used internally, as well as by partners conducting work on behalf of RECOFTC;
• Review, analyze, synthesize and document relevant best practices, outcome evidence, and lessons learned related toSG2 topics from within and outside RECOFTC focal countries;
• Provide strategic direction t oRECOFTC staff in order to promote and mainstream SG2 issues institutionally and in country/regional programs;
• Coordinate white papers/policy briefs on SG2 topics based on needs or requests by synthesizing of documents, articles and other publications in order to generate a better understanding on these issues.  These documents will be prepared in response to requests from donors, to support specific project implementation, and to improve RECOFTC visibility and credibility as a learning center and hub of action research expertise on SG2 topics;
• Manage projects (e.g. project implementation, reporting, donor relationship, monitoring) related to SG2 issues in community forestry in close coordination with relevant staff and Director as needed;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of capacity development and training activities onSG2 issues in coordination with training experts and local/regional partners. This will include integrating research results into these trainings and planning for piloting and demonstration activities;
• Be RECOFTC’s primary representative at conferences where expertise on governance, institutions and conflict in community forestry is needed;

Strategic direction for country programs and activities on SG2 (30% of time):

• Lead in promoting and mainstreaming SG2 principles and activities into RECOFTC’s country programs. Work would be done both in response to requests from country Directors to support SG2 principles or activities in country projects, in response to requests from PCTS Director or Executive Director, as well as through own initiative;
• Develop a workplan which includes desired outputs, outcomes and indicators for SG2 activities across country (and regional) programs. Update work plan quarterly and share with PCTS Director for performance monitoring;

Knowledge Management and Strategic Communications (10% of time):

• Work with the Director and staff of the Knowledge Management and Strategic Communications Unit (KMSC), and project and country office Directors to identify and produce stories and other comms products as needed on the SG2 issues
• Lead on highlighting and representing the Center’s excellence in SG topics in strategic local, regional and global events; write trip/meeting summary report for each such engagement;

Business Development, Partnerships and Innovation (20% of time):

• Identify funding opportunities for RECOFTC’s SG2 portfolio with public, social enterprises and private sources;
• Support the Business Development unit to develop innovative project proposals that incorporate new techniques and tools for better SG2 work. This will require working with existing projects and country Directorsto identify best practices and building off those best practices to replicate where necessary and innovate when possible;

• Maintain and expand strategic networks with private sector, enterprise, and innovation partners and other organizations in Asia and the Pacific region and beyond;
• Represent RECOFTC and its SG2 work at strategic networking opportunities with key partners/donors; write trip/meeting summary report for each such engagement;

Other:

• Supervise junior staff and interns and provide quality mentoring with respect the leadership, management and SG2 issues;
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the PCTS Director and/or the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

The Senior Program Officer: Forest Governance, Institution and Conflict Transformation  will have the following essential qualifications and experience:

Essential:

• PhD [1] in political science, forestry, conservation, or related fields with a minimum of 5 years’ work experience in project development and implementation under the topic of forest governance, land right and/or conflict resolution;
• Demonstrated experience in natural resource management, local governance, land tenure, indgenous and women’s rights, and land use conflict issues;
• Experience in multi-stakeholder processes, land use governance dialogues and networking in the forestry and land use sectors;

• Proven analytical skills and an innovative thinker who actively contributes to team development;
• Reasonable record of publications
• Ability to work in multi-tasking in a variety of cultural and institutional contexts;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and fluent in English.

Desirable:

• Previous work experience in international organizations in the Asia-Pacific region is strongly desirable;

• Ability to communicate in one or more languages of the Center’s focal countries (China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar) is an asset;
• Familiarity with principles of social inclusion and gender equality.

General:

In addition to job specific skills and experience, all of the Center’s staff should possess the following characteristics (including attitudes and skills):

• Initiative and ability to embrace social inclusion and gender equity principles and willingness to make decisions based upon principled fairness, openness and transparency
• Interpersonal communication skills, individually and in-groups, with an ability to work as an active member of multicultural and multi-disciplinary teams. This implies flexibility, leadership and open-mindedness
• Initiative and ability to make informed independent judgments but commitment to team work
• Ability to work in a variety of cultural and institutional contexts

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV and a cover letter indicating why they are suitable for this position along with salary requirements and current contact details of three referees, including recent supervisors to HR@recoftc.org. Please quote the position title in the subject line of the email. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The Center has a competitive compensation package. However, offers shall be based on salary history, relevant experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.

To learn more about RECOFTC, please visit our website www.recoftc.org

Applicants shall not be discriminated based on ethnicity, religion, age, nationality, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by RECOFTC’s values and code of conduct. Reasonable accommodation may be made so that qualified disabled applicants can partake in the application process. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Please inform the Center’s Human Resources Office in writing of any special needs at the time of application.

The Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC) is an equal opportunity employer and the successful candidate will be selected based on merit.

The Center retains the right to offer this position at a job grade relevant to the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.