Thailand: Senior Program Officer, Transforming Forest Conflicts

Jul 24, 2014 | RECOFTC – The Center for People and Forests

RECOFTC – The Center for People and Forests holds a unique and important place in the world of forestry. It is the only international not-for-profit organization that specializes in capacity building for community forestry and devolved forest management. With over 20 years of international experience and a dynamic approach to capacity building—involving research and analysis, demonstration sites, and training products and services—RECOFTC delivers innovative solutions for people and forests.

In recent years, the organization has established Country Programs in Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, with its headquarters in Thailand. The Center’s work focuses on the four thematic areas of: securing community forestry; enhancing livelihoods and markets; people, forests and climate change; and transforming forest conflict; for building capacities for community forestry at all levels.

RECOFTC is currently seeking a qualified candidate to work in the Capacity Development and Technical Service (CDTS) Unit. The successful applicant will be based in Bangkok with regular travel to RECOFTC’s focal countries. The contract duration is for 2 years with a possibility of extension depending on performance and availability of funding.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Program Officer for Transforming Forest Conflict reports directly to the Manager of the Capacity Development and Technical Services Unit (CDTS). S/he will provide expertise in the field of capacity development for conflict transformation, governance, negotiation, mediation for community based forest management. S/he will work closely with other thematic area coordinators, research and training team, and country training co-coordinators to design and implement capacity development programs in RECOFTC at regional and country-level to support its goal and mandates.

RESPONDSIBLITIES AND DUTIES
Main tasks and responsibilities of the Senior Program Officer for Transforming Forest Conflict will be as follows:

Program Development:
o Take coordinating role for RECOFTC’s Thematic Area: Transforming Forest Conflict (TFC), by working closely with CDTS Unit Manager, relevant thematic coordinators, senior program staff and officers at regional and national levels;
o Develop, strategize, and expand TFC works for RECOFTC’s capacity development program including: research, analysis and synthesis; training and learning networks, strategic communications, and piloting and demonstration;
o Integrate and mainstream forest conflict transformation in RECOFTC’s overall program, and mainstreaming Social Inclusion and Gender Equity and other cross-cutting priorities;
o Work closely with RECOFTC’s training team to design and deliver RECOFTC capacity development activities on TFC as required;
o Design, document and support innovative conflict management and governance practices for Community based Forest or Natural Resource Management in close consultation with RECOFTC’s communication team for both internal staff and its clients;
o Based on an understanding of RECOFTC’s program and strategy, identify opportunities for RECOFTC’s capacity development programs or projects to support forest conflict transformation at both regional and national levels;
o Contribute to the development of policies and procedures for the overall program related to TFC and in particular to capacity development, program review, annual work-plans and regular reports;
o Engage and involve in relevant networks that support the outputs and outcomes of TFC as detailed in the program plan;
o Assist with identifying new organizations, partners, and funding opportunities and developing joint project proposals;
Program Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Support in planning, implementation, and monitoring of ongoing capacity development activities relating to TFC, including budgets, particularly for assigned projects at both regional and national level
• Assist in coordinating with other units and projects within RECOFTC to ensure a full integration of TFC with other thematic areas and cross-cutting themes.
• Contribute to the maintenance of the Management Information System (MIS) database for internal monitoring and coordination
• Support the development and implementation of participatory monitoring and evaluation methods and practices for the thematic work on TFC.
• Support the fulfilment of reporting obligations and leading the preparation of progress reports for assigned projects

Program Delivery:
• Take the lead role in the overall technical supports (training course content, budget, consultant contracts, agreements with partners, material preparation, contracting translation services, training of trainers, session plans, reporting, etc.) for TFC capacity development programs, products, and services.
• Take a lead role in the development, adaptation, documentation, and translation of appropriate training/learning materials, including manuals and case studies in relation to TFC
• Assist the CDTS and RECOFTC’s communications team with market research/needs assessment and for marketing of capacity-building programs, products, and services at all levels

Partnerships and Effective Resource Mobilization:
• Develop and maintain contact with strategic partners and stakeholders; keeping abreast of their strategies and priorities, as well as problems encountered, sharing this knowledge with colleagues, and using it for program development
• Contribute to, develop and maintain relevant networks in focal countries and facilitate their active participation and exchange with national, regional, and global thematic networks
Other:
• Coordinate a Cross-unit, cross-country task team on TFC
• Member of the Program Committee
• Any other tasks that may be assigned by the CDTS Manager and Executive Director

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential:
• At least 10 years experience in the field of conflict and governance in supporting community forestry/CBNRM/ participatory forest resource management
• Significant demonstrated experience in capacity development and participatory training delivery in the field of natural resources management
• M.Sc. or higher degree in forestry, or natural resources management
• Strong team building, leadership, and networking qualities
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Willingness to travel frequently

Desirable:
• Field work experience at the community level in community-based forest management or community-based natural resource management in Asia and the Pacific Region
• Fluent in one or more languages from RECOFTC focal countries; Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam, and Thailand

General:
In addition to job specific skills and experience, the applicant should possess the following characteristics (including attitudes and skills);
• Interpersonal communication skills, individually and in-groups, with an ability to work as an active member of teams. This implies creativity, flexibility and open-mindedness;
• Possess leadership personality, and able to take on and solve problems quickly and efficiently;
• Initiative and ability to make informed independent judgments (which is not inconsistent with an overall team approach); and
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural work environment with colleagues of different nationalities and cultures.

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. RECOFTC 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

Women and candidates from the Asia-Pacific region are strongly encouraged to apply. RECOFTC is an equal opportunity employer and the successful candidate will be selected based on merit.

*RECOFTC reserves the right to offer the position at a lower grade.