Regional Project Manager, 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 Regional Project Manager 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. 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 Regional Project Manager is a member of RECOFTC’s Program Coordination and Technical Services (PCTS) Unit and reports directly to the Unit Director. The Project Manager is responsible for the overall management of the project including acting as the head of the RMFN – Asia’s secretariate unit, working closely with the chairperson of the RMFN – Asia, leading communications with the partners, and donor for project coordination, monitoring, and delivery of project outputs.

The Regional Project Manager’s specific tasks and duties include:

1. RMFN – Asia Secretariate

• Work closely with the chairperson to ensure the regional network secretariate functions effectively and meets the regional priorities and interests
• Support and represent RMFN Asia members’ interests to the IMFN, the IMFN Secretariate, IMFN committee and strategic initiatives
• Represent the network in external forums, conferences, and meetings, advocating for the RMFN – Asia’s goals and interests

2. Project coordination:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the effective delivery of project activities, outputs and outcomes
• Understand and apply RECOFTC’s standard project management systems and practices
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the project contract and monitor compliance in coordination with relevant RECOFTC staff
• Refine and oversee implementation of the program’s risk management plan, ensuring regular reflection of potential risk areas and taking steps to avoid and mitigate risk as necessary
• Coordinate activities among network members, ensuring effective communication and collaboration to achieve common objectives in eight model forests and explore the opportunities to expand the network in other countries in the region
• Ensure clear communication and responses to IMFN as the main point of contact for the project
• Review technical and financial performance against established work plans and budgets monthly and adjust the workplan and budget as needed to ensure timely delivery of agreed project outputs
• Prepare regular reports, annual reports and financial reports of the project with inputs from relevant RECOFTC staff from different units, and partner organizations
• Coordinate with other project leads at RECOFTC Main Office and Country Offices to develop strong synergy with other projects and initiatives
• Secure the services of and work with individual consultants as and when needed to support project delivery

3. Monitoring and evaluation:

• Work closely with the RMFN – Asia’s chairperson and the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team with support from IMFN to develop a monitoring plan with key deliverables and milestones for the project and ensure alignment with RECOFTC’s program plan
• Regularly monitor the technical progress of the project and update relevant monitoring systems or documents
• Provide project-level monitoring and evaluation leadership and support and advice to RMFN – Asia members and project partners

4. Knowledge management and strategic communication:

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

5. Sub-grant management

• Develop guidance, procedures, and policies for a sub-grant mechanism
• Lead the coordination with partners under the support of IMFN to implement their scope of work as agreed upon in the subgrant agreement
• Conduct regular meetings with partners to ensure clear communication between the grantees and the RMFN – Asia secretariate
• Review technical and financial reports from the partners, and in turn compile these with RECOFTC reports to submit to IMFN secretariate
• Review partners’ budget and work plan monthly to confirm project activities are progressing as planned, and work with partners to adjust as needed

4. Other

• Ensure project implementation and administration strictly follow donor requirements
• Supervise the work of project team members and consultants contributing to the project
• Perform any specific duty assigned and agreed between the RMFN – Asia chairperson, IMFN and RECOFTC

Qualifications and experience:

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

Essential

• Master’s degree in environmental or social science, natural resource management, international development or related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience implementing international development projects focusing on natural resource management and stakeholder engagement covering multiple countries and partners
• Experience in project management including project planning and technical monitoring, funding/financial management and monitoring, reporting, staff management, and partner coordination
• Experience in convening and coordinating diverse stakeholders in development contexts
• Familiarity with strategic communication and knowledge management elements of project management and leadership
• Champions gender equity and social inclusion
• Strong team building, leadership and networking skills
• Strong work ethic
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Willingness to work in the RECOFTC Main Office in Bangkok
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally
• Commitment to practicing and promoting RECOFTC’s core values

Desirable

• Good training and facilitation skills, especially encouraging participatory processes
• Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation and learning systems and principles
• Familiarity with engagement, knowledge management and communication concepts, processes and technologies
• Familiarity with Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program

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