Biodiversity Conservation Specialist

Terms of Reference Biodiversity Conservation Specialist:

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

ECODIT is implementing the USAID-funded Green Annamites activity in Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces in central Vietnam. The purpose of the Green Annamites activity is to assist Vietnam’s transition to climate-smart, low emission, and resilient development that protects people, landscapes, and biodiversity in Vietnam’s priority forested provinces. The project’s overall period of performance is September 26, 2016 to December 16, 2020, subject to the availability of funding, and includes three main tasks:

1.    Increase application of low emission land-use;

2.    Strengthen biodiversity conservation; and

3.    Increase resilience for vulnerable communities.

SPECIFIC DUTIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING

Under the overall management of the Project’s Chief of Party (COP) and the direct supervision of the Biodiversity Conservation Lead (BDCL), the Biodiversity Conservation Specialist (BCDS) shall support the BDCL to assist with the design and implementation of activities under Tasks 2, Biodiversity Conservation and facilitate the coordination of this work with related tasks and activities in Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces. The BCDS’s key roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work with counterparts in the field on in forest restoration, protected area and Biodiversity corridors management and Biodiversity monitoring activities.

• Assist with preparation of training materials and delivery of capacity building and awareness and outreach events on biodiversity conservation, protected areas and corridors management, restoration.

• Support the identification and improvement of income-generating activities in the target regions of the project.

• Support the design and help lead field implementation of activities to support assessments, this includes field studies, data collection and analysis and the preparation of reports.

• Train and supervise staff conducting field studies related to Task 2.

• Provide technical input to develop Scopes of Work (SOWs) and/or Requests for Quotations (RFQs) prepared for consultants, subcontractors, and grantees to implement project activities under Task 2 and review and participate in the assessment of quotations or applications received.

• Coordinate with the Provincial Project Coordinator to provide field oversight of biodiversity conservation field activities.

• Collaborate with Forest Protection Department, Protected Areas and other stakeholders in Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces to identify sites for implementation of field activities.

• Other tasks as requested by the BDCL and COP.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• University degree in Forestry, Conservation, Natural Resource Management, or related field.

• At least 5 years of experience in biodiversity conservation related to protected area management, biodiversity conservation corridor, biodiversity monitoring, forest restoration, and community forestry.

• Thorough understanding and active knowledge base of the legal framework and institutional setting of Special Use Forest (SUF), protected areas, biodiversity conservation, and environmental and forest protection law enforcement in Vietnam.

• Ability to plan strategically and creatively to meet specified objectives.

• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills including ability to prioritize and multi-task.

• Willingness and ability to travel to field sites to document project and partner progress.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work cooperatively with team members and partners.

• Fully computer literate with advanced skills in standard office software packages; proficiency in GIS software and SMART software is an advantage.

Please note this position can be based in either Da Nang city or Tam Ky city of Quang Nam province, depending on the actual requirements of  work.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should send application including:

• A cover letter

• Latest CV, and

• Three references.

By September 30th, 2017 to the following address: [email protected]

No phone contact please. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.