Project Officer, Regional Model Forest Network – Asia, Main Office

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 more than 36 years of experience working with people and forests and has built trusting relationships with partners at all levels. As a trusted, honest broker, we occupy a distinct position as an international organization that supports, informs and brings together governments, communities, businesses, academia and civil society organisations. Our innovations, knowledge and initiatives enable countries to foster good forest governance, mitigate and adapt to climate change and achieve the UN Global Goals.

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

We invite candidates to apply for the position of Project Officer for the Regional Model Forest Network – Asia Initiative. The successful applicant will be based in the RECOFTC Main Office in Bangkok, Thailand. The contract is for a 27-month duration, with the potential for extension based on funding availability and satisfactory performance. The position is for Thai nationals only. An offer of employment is subject to funding confirmation.

About the project

RECOFTC is implementing a regional project focusing on strengthening the model forest approach and network in Asia, supported by Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program.

Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program focuses on supporting activities related to expanding Canada’s international engagement, collaborations and partnerships, and sharing Canadian expertise abroad. This includes support for initiatives that contribute to:

• advancing the international forest policy agenda, including on climate, biodiversity, sustainable forest management, the bioeconomy, and wildland fire management;
• strengthening partnerships with like-minded organizations and countries through sharing expertise and forest stewardship assistance; and
• decreasing market barriers to sustainable forest product

International Model Forest Network (IMFN) is one such approach that strengthens Canada’s collaboration and approach to forest sector leadership with international and domestic partners. The program supports a resilient, innovative and environmentally-sustainable Canadian forest sector by catalyzing innovation from seed to market, providing continued support for Indigenous projects, improving climate-related knowledge around forests, enhancing international engagement, and expanding innovative use of wood in construction as a low-carbon-building material. IMFN has a network of more than 60 model forests across more than 30 countries, covering more than 70 million hectares of forest.

The Regional Model Forest Network – Asia (RMFN – Asia) initiative brings people across Asia together to help them sustainably manage their landscapes. It currently covers eight model forests spread across China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand. It aims to further expand the network in coming years to other countries, such as Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Viet Nam, depending upon the resource availability. The RMFN – Asia chairperson is based at the Royal Forest Department in Thailand.

Tasks and duties

The Project Officer is a member of the Program Coordination and Technical Services team and the RMFN – Asia’s Secretariat unit. The officer will work under the supervision of the Regional Project Manager with the role of supporting the RMFN – Asia’s secretariate functions meeting its priorities and interests.

The Project Officer’s specific tasks and duties include:

1. RMFN – Asia Secretariate

• Assist the Regional Project Manager to run the regional network secretariate functions effectively to meet the regional priorities and interests
• Assist RMFN – Asia members in articulating their interests to the IMFN, the IMFN Secretariate, the IMFN committee and strategic initiatives

2. Project coordination

• Support coordination of activities among network members, ensuring effective communication and collaboration to achieve common objectives in eight model forests and explore the opportunities and interests to expand the network in other countries in the region
• Assist in communicating with RMFN – Asia members, IMFN and partners as the main point of contact for the project
• Assist in reviewing technical and financial performance against established work plans and budgets monthly in close coordination with the Project Manager and Project Admin and Accounts Officer
• Prepare draft reports of the project with inputs from relevant RECOFTC staff from different units and partner organizations
• Liaise with RECOFTC staff, RMFN – Asia’s members, IFMN and partners to develop strong synergy with other projects and initiatives
• Support Project Manager and RMFN – Asia Chairperson in coordinating the organization of RMFN – Asia Annual Board meeting

3. Monitoring and evaluation:

• Support the RMFN – Asia’s chairperson and the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team to develop a monitoring plan with key deliverables and milestones for the project and ensure alignment with RECOFTC’s program plan
• Help monitor the technical progress of the project and update relevant monitoring systems and documents

4. Knowledge management and strategic communication:

• Work closely with the Knowledge Management, Information Technology and Strategic Communication team of RECOFTC and the RMFN – Asia members to develop the project webpage and ensure regular updating of that page
• Help document project achievements, lessons learned, and other knowledge and learning relevant to RECOFTC and partners (in established systems where possible)
• Coordinate with RECOFTC staff, RMFN – Asia members, IMFN, and partner organizations to produce and disseminate planned knowledge products in languages appropriate for identified audiences

5. Sub-grant management

• Support in preparing guidance, procedures, and policies for a sub-grant mechanism
• Coordinate with partners under the support of IMFN to implement their scope of work as agreed upon in the subgrant agreement
• Support regular meetings with partners to ensure clear communication between the grantees and the RMFN – Asia secretariate
• Prepare draft technical and financial reports from the partners, and in turn compile these with RECOFTC reports for the Regional Project Manager to review
• Help monitor partners’ budget and work plan monthly to ensure the project activities are progressing as planned and work with partners to adjust as needed

6. Other

• Perform any specific duty assigned by the Regional Project Manager

Qualifications and experience:

The Project Officer will have the following essential qualifications and experience.

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in natural resource management, international development, communication or related field
• At least five years of experience in natural resource management with international initiatives
• Proven experience in coordinating and documenting ground experience in different forms of reports
• Able to work with different cultures and diverse groups of people in the development sector
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and using web-based application
• Good English skills, with excellent Thai writing skills
• Result-oriented, able to meet deadlines
• Thai national only

Desirable:

• Proven understanding of forestry and land tenure laws and policies, including knowledge of supply chain control or forest certification
• Experience in facilitating meetings and networking
• Independent with good time management skills
• Strong interest in reading and research for knowledge improvement
• Willingness to travel

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
• Committed to sustainability
• Cultivate participation, gender equality and social inclusion
• Prioritize wellbeing