National Project Manager

FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL
Founded in 1903, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world’s longest-established international conservation organization. Their vision is to create a sustainable future for the planet where biodiversity is conserved by the people living closest to it. They aim to do this through the conservation of threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. They operate primarily in developing countries where there is little capacity to conserve endangered and threatened habitats and species. They have become a trusted entity in the world of conservation. Today FFI is active in over 40 countries.

ASIA PACIFIC PROGRAMME
Working closely with local partners, the Asia Pacific Programme currently includes a broad range of species and landscape targeted conservation initiatives in Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Laos and Myanmar, and has country programme offices in Hanoi, Jakarta, Manila, Nanning and Phnom Penh. Around 70 projects are being implemented in the region by a team of approximately 200 staff, consultants, volunteers and partner organizations with an annual regional budget of approximately USD 9 million.

FFI AND REDD
Since 2006, FFI has been exploring ways in which emerging Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) mechanisms, including Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) projects, can be harnessed for the benefit of conservation and local communities. Building on over 100 years’ experience of working in collaboration with developing country governments, civil society and the corporate sector, we have been developing conservation projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst improving local livelihoods and conserving biodiversity by securing financing from PES linked markets. During this time we have:
Helped the Government of Aceh in Indonesia to develop the first REDD project to be approved under the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance Standards
Formed a groundbreaking partnership with the Australian investment house, Macquarie Group, to develop at least six REDD projects world-wide with the intention of securing significant ongoing finance for forest conservation through carbon market mechanisms
Taken a leading role in assisting the Government of Liberia to undertake REDD readiness activities, in particular in relation to policy and legislative review, institutional capacity strengthening, the design of REDD consultation mechanisms and awareness raising campaigns and the development of a sub-national REDD pilot project
Supported the Governments of Liberia and Vietnam with technical advice for the FCPF.(R-PIN and R-PP development) processes – resulting in both countries being accepted into the FCPF and moving towards to full readiness funding from the World Bank.

THE PROJECT
A Euro 3 million EU-funded project “Developing community carbon pools for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, plus enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) projects in selected ASEAN countries” secured by FFI, will contribute to this by supporting local government, local communities and civil society to participate in national, sub-national and regional policy dialogues, and by supporting the design and implementation of pilot REDD+ projects, with the aim of establishing social and environmental safeguards and equitable benefit sharing mechanisms.
The project has been designed to build the capacity of local communities and local governments to actively participate in REDD+ pilot projects in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines, and feed lessons learned into policy dialogues at sub-national, national and regional level. The pilot projects will develop local Community Forest Management (CFM) institutions that comprise equitable, easy to understand, locally devised and implemented rules, with a potential to reduce emissions effectively while providing benefits to forest-dependent local and indigenous people. The overall project will be led by the Programme Manager, Asia Pacific Community Carbon Pool & REDD + Programme, with National Coordinators in each of the four countries.

THE OPPORTUNITY
FFI is seeking a highly experienced and results-orientated individual with excellent skills in community forestry, sustainable forest management and decentralization in the forest sector to coordinate the Vietnamese component of the EU funded project “Developing community carbon pools for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, plus enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) projects in selected ASEAN countries”.
The successful candidate will have experience in REDD+ technical concepts, and at least 3 years’ experience in community forestry. S/he will have strategic vision, strong leadership skills and excellent communication and administrative skills. The successful applicant will have strong skills in high level corporate and government engagement as well as experience in engaging local communities as part of collaborative management and/or in strengthening Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in the forest sector. S/he will have a higher degree or equivalent training or experience in a relevant discipline such as forestry, forest conservation, environmental economics and substantial experience in a related role. Experience in Vietnam is required.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Start Date: As soon as possible
End Date: 15th January 2014
Probationary Period: Two months
Gross Monthly Salary: Range from USD 1,000 to USD 1,200.
Location: The position will ideally be based in Kon Tum with regular international travel, as required
Hours of Work: This is a full-time position, working Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, with a 60 minute lunch break

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: National Project Manager,
Asia Pacific Community Carbon Pool & REDD+ Programme

Reporting to: Programme Manager, Asia Pacific Community Carbon Pool & REDD+ Programme

Oversees: All project staff employed under the Vietnamese component of the Asia Pacific Community Carbon Pool & REDD+ Programme

Key Internal

Relationships:
Country Director, Vietnam Programme
Senior Programme Manager, Asia Pacific
Regional Director, Asia Pacific
Programme Director, Environmental Markets
Project Managers, Vietnam Programme
Regional Finance Advisor, Asia Pacific
Projects Officer, Asia Pacific
Regional Programme Development Coordinator, Asia Pacific
REDD Coordinator

Main duties:
Under the supervision of the Programme Manager, Asia Pacific Community Carbon Pool & REDD+ Programme, the Vietnam National Coordinator, Asia Pacific Community Carbon Pool & REDD+ Programme will ensure the effective, efficient and timely delivery of the Vietnamese components of the EU-funded project “Developing community carbon pools for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, plus enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) projects in selected ASEAN countries”.

Specific duties and required activities are detailed in the EU grant contract. To summarize:
Project implementation and development
Plan and oversee execution of the Vietnamese project activities according to the project contract and all subsequently determined work plans, including management of staff and sub-contracts
Plan and oversee the use of the project budget including co-financing to the EU grant which forms an integral part of the overall project
Represent the project and FFI, as required by the line management, at domestic and international fora
Co-ordinate the execution of the EU-funded project with FFI’s other related projects
Co-ordinate execution of the EU-funded project with other partner programmes and projects pertaining to the forest sector, whether under implementation or planned
Ensure all internal and external reporting requirements are met related to the project
Assist in raising additional support to complement project activities as needs are identified

Other duties
Supporting the development of national REDD+ policies that strengthen the role of local government and communities
Supporting the development of sub-national procedures and regulations for REDD+ pilot project activities
Piloting REDD+ community forestry projects that ensure sustainable revenue flows and other benefits to forest dependent communities
Demonstrating how biodiversity co-benefits can be achieved in community forestry REDD+ pilot projects
Drawing from practical local level experience and seeking to influence national and regional policy responses to deforestation and forest degradation
Supporting FFI strategic thinking on REDD+, inputting to a global FFI REDD+ strategy

Specific outputs
Reports and written outputs from the EU REDD project in line with donor requirements prepared and submitted on a timely basis

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential/Desirable
Skills
Excellent project management skills with proven experience in project planning, financial management, reporting and evaluation
Ability to think laterally and creatively
Strong communication skills, (written and verbal), with ability to present, persuade, influence and negotiate at senior level
Ability to convey the work of FFI with confidence and credibility
Good team player with the ability to also work well under own initiative
Strong organizational skills, with structured and methodical approach to work and a clear focus on results
Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively
Fluent in English (spoken and written)
An understanding and experience of working in or with NGOs
Competency with standard word processing and spreadsheet programmes

Knowledge and experience
MSc or equivalent training or experience in forestry, natural resource management or a related discipline
Minimum three years’ experience in forest conservation
Experience in developing performance-based payment mechanisms including REDD+
Track record of developing and delivering pro-poor ecosystem management projects, with a particular focus on governance and benefit-sharing issues
Minimum four years’ experience of project management
Demonstrable experience engaging with government, corporate and local partners at all levels
Familiarity with Vietnamese government organizations for forestry and environmental protection

Behavioural qualities
A demonstrated commitment to the conservation of Vietnam’s natural heritage
Capacity to work independently, to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the organization, to be organized, conscientious and careful, and to meet deadlines

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications, consisting of a covering letter explaining why you feel you should be considered for this post, a full CV and contact details for two referees (who will not be approached without your permission), should be submitted either electronically to Le Hong Viet at [email protected] and cc to John Parr at [email protected]

Please mark your application ‘National Project Manager, Asia Pacific Community Carbon Pool & REDD+ Programme’ and indicate in your covering letter where you saw this position advertised. The closing date for applications is Sunday 15th May 2011. Interviews are likely to be held during the week commencing Monday 18th May 2011.

Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

FFI values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity