The Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC)
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. With more than 36 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.
We invite candidates to apply for the position of Senior Policy Outreach and Gender Inclusion Coordinator for Explore Project. The successful applicant will be based in the RECOFTC Main Office in Bangkok, Thailand. The contract is for a 24-month duration, with the potential for extension based on funding availability and satisfactory performance.
About the program
Established in 2020, Explore is managed by a Secretariat, hosted by RECOFTC in partnership with the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF). The program receives financial support from Sida. Explore develops the research capacity of universities in Southeast Asia on forest landscape governance. It supports researchers, universities and research institutions to improve their ability to conduct quality and transformative research, as well as leverage research to support policy development and implementation at various levels leading to more equitable, community-oriented forest landscape governance.
The overall objective of the Explore program is to support governments in using high quality research to improve policies and institutional frameworks for the inclusive and sustainable management of forest landscapes in Southeast Asia that contribute to climate and development goals such as SDGs.
The program is now in Phase 2. The main objective is for innovative and well-designed research to be used widely by key stakeholders and support informed policy and decision-making at landscape, national and regional levels. Phase 2 is being implemented from October 2022 to September 2027.
The Explore program is a long-term engagement between Sida, RECOFTC and CIFOR-ICRAF, and it envisages three phases with a timeline of 10-12 years.
Tasks and Duties
The Senior Policy Outreach and Gender Inclusion Coordinator is a member of the Program Coordination and Technical Services and the Explore Program’s Secretariat. The other members of the Secretariat are Program Manager, Program Coordinator, Administrative and Grants Officer, Finance and Administration Officer and the Communication Officer.
The Senior Policy Outreach and Gender Inclusion Coordinator reports to the Explore Program Manager and is responsible for developing the Explore research network and community of practice with universities, research institutions and researchers in Southeast Asia. The Secretariat is hosted by RECOFTC and work is implemented in close collaboration with CIFOR-ICRAF.
The Senior Policy Outreach and Gender Inclusion Coordinator’s main duties will be to:
-Design and oversee the implementation of the policy outreach strategy and plan for the Explore Program with guidance from the Program Manager and in consultation with relevant RECOFTC staff. This includes working with Explore grant recipients to ensure they have a systematic and practical policy outreach strategy and plan for their Explore-supported research and supporting its implementation and monitoring and evaluation
-Design and oversee the integration of gender in all areas of the Explore Program with guidance from the Program Manager and in consultation with relevant RECOFTC staff. This includes working with Explore grant recipients to ensure they have a systematic and practical gender inclusion research plan for their Explore-supported research and supporting its implementation and monitoring and evaluation
-Oversee the scholarship program for female PhD students, including designing the call for applications, and mentorship and capacity development programs, working with the Program Manager
-Coordinate Explore’s National Advisory Committee program in all countries, working with relevant RECOFTC country program offices
-Organize national policy workshops, working with relevant RECOFTC country program offices and staff at RECOFTC’s main office
-Oversee the development and implementation of Explore’s capacity development program for grant recipients supporting policy outreach working with RECOFTC’s Training and Learning team, Knowledge Management, IT and Strategic Communication team, and the lead for the Strategic goal on Governance and rights.
-Oversee the capacity development component for grant recipients to ensure they are systematically addressing gender issues in their research, working with RECOFTC’s Training and Learning team and Social Inclusion and Gender Equity team
-Oversee the technical components of Explore’s funding mechanism to address institutional barriers to tackle gender inequality in universities and research institutions
-Perform other duties as assigned by the Explore Program Manager
Qualifications and experience:
The Senior Policy Outreach and Gender Inclusion Coordinator must have the following qualifications and experience:
Essential
-Master’s degree in natural resource management, environmental and/or forest landscape governance with a focus on gender inclusion
-Minimum 8-10 years of work experience in policy outreach to influence policy outcomes on related topics at different scales. These experiences may include but are not limited to strategic communication, understanding of the political landscape under different contexts, the ability to navigate political dynamics to advance policy goals, coaching and mentoring other members for policy outreach planning and implementation
-Excellent working experience on development or research projects on natural resource management and/or forest landscape governance with a focus on gender inclusion
-Work experience in more than one country in Southeast Asia
-Strong work ethic
-Strong team building, leadership and networking skills
-Fluent in written and spoken English
-Willing to work in the RECOFTC main office in Bangkok
-Willing and able to travel to countries to support Explore’s program delivery
Desirable
-Extensive experience in project management including planning and funding/financial management and monitoring
-Extensive experience in fundraising
-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
-Committed to sustainability
-Cultivate participation, gender equality and social inclusion
-Prioritize wellbeing
How to apply
Interested candidates are requested to submit a CV and a cover letter indicating why they are suitable for this position, with salary expectations and current contact details of three referees, including recent supervisors by clicking this link >> https://recoftc.freshteam.com/jobs/oEA0vffJ34pV/senior-policy-outreach-and-gender-inclusion-coordinator-explore and “Apply Now”. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. RECOFTC has a competitive compensation package.
To learn more about RECOFTC, please visit our website recoftc.org.
Applicants shall not be discriminated against 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. Please inform RECOFTC’s Human Resources in writing of any special needs at the time of application. RECOFTC is an equal-opportunity employer, and the successful candidate will be selected based on merit. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
RECOFTC retains the right to offer this position at a job grade relevant to the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.