Myanmar: Forest Project Manager

Major Function

The Forest Project Manager will take the lead on all WWF’s forest-related work including engagement with, and building capacity for sustainable forestry and potential certification schemes in the private sector, government and other NGOs in Myanmar; extracting lessons learned from other countries to be disseminated in Myanmar; and work with the WWF Forest Practice leadership, Global Forest Trade Network team, and other relevant WWF focal points. Lead the implementation of the Myanmar Forest Action Plan and will lead national work on forests but will also provide technical support to the forest related work in the DTL.

He/she will then:

· Oversee forestry-related projects in DTL, especially those on Community Forestry and Landscape Forest Restoration.

· Map existing processes in the forest sector in Myanmar to harmonize and coordinate activities to avoid duplication of effort or risk conflicting strategies.

· Provide technical guidance and advice on best practice principles on sustainable forest management.

· Provide technical advice to landscape forest restoration and land use planning processes in the DTL.

· Perform technical and operational duties in relation to forestry, forest certification, sustainable forest management, and forest conservation matters.

· Determine and develop WWF Myanmar’s position and definition on responsible forestry, beyond forest certification, applicable to timber and non-timber forest production from natural forest and forest plantations.

· Performs analysis on existing forest management and/or production practices leading to forest and species habitat degradation.

· Support and conduct relevant training and awareness sessions with relevant stakeholders on sustainable and/or responsible forest management and timber harvesting.

· Strengthen key CSO partners engagement with government and private sector for responsible forest management.

· Develop and disseminate communication materials jointly with office-based colleagues on forest conservation, sustainable forest management and trade, forest certification; and its linkages to green economy and sustainable development.

· Participate in dialogue for developing the national forest sector. Advocate for enhancement of sustainable forest management and responsible production of timber and timber products as well as non-timber forest products for improved human well-being of forest dependent communities.

· Support and participate in existing forestry networks.

Required Qualifications

1.Education

· Master’s degree in natural resources management, forest conservation and management, environmental or conservation management, bioregional planning, development studies, or in relevant fields.

· A Bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience comparable to a Masters will also be considered.

· Qualification in Project Management

2.Knowledge

· Knowledge of conservation and natural resource management issues

· Technical knowledge of forest certification, forestry operations, High Conservation Value Forest and community-based forest management.

· Thorough understanding of socio-economic, conservation and development issues in Myanmar and in the landscape in charge

· Knowledge of the policy/institutional context related to conservation and the government agencies, development partners, donor institutions, and the not-for-profit sector in the landscape

· Knowledge of the realities of government agencies, development partners, donor institutions, and the not-for-profit sector in the project

· Excellent understanding of development partnerships, fund-raising, donor strategies, functions, governmental and international relations

· Landscape/land ues planning, and GIS knowledge and skills are an advantage

· Knowledge of WWF’s PPMS is also an advantage

3.Experience

· 5 years of practical experience in leading and managing programme or project, 2 years of which should be in the related landscape or Mekong region

· Proven experience of managing programmes funded by a diversity of sources including governments and aid agencies, private sector donors with annual budget of multi millions USD

· Experience of working in multi-cultural environment and international organisations

4.General Skill

· People management, coaching and capacity building/development

· Networking and influencing

· Financial management

· Presentation and communications

· Fluency in written and spoken English

· Proficiency in MS Office and GIS software such as ArcGIS

5.Technical Skill

· Leadership and management

· Report writing

· Problem solving and conflict management

· Monitoring and evaluation is preferred

6.Ability

· Working under pressure and with minimum supervision and staying on task

· Travelling frequently

Interested candidates should email vacancy.mm@wwfgreatermekong.org or send a hard copy cover letter and curriculum vitae in English to 15C, Than Taman Street, Dagon Township Yangon, stating the applied position title. Email application documents should be addressed as Document_Your fullname.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.