Head of Office - Viet Nam

Head of Office - Viet Nam

Vacancy #:       2652
Unit:       TRAFFIC SouthEast Asia
Organization:       TRAFFIC International (TRAFFIC)
Location:       TRAFFIC – Southeast Asia (Vietnam), Hanoi, Viet Nam
Reporting to:       Senior Programme Director - Asia & Pacific
Work percentage:       100%
Function group:       -
Expected start date:       02 January 2018
Type of contract:       Fixed-term (36 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date:       05 November 2017

BACKGROUND

TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants is not a threat to the conservation of nature. It actively monitors and investigates wildlife trade and provides information to diverse audiences worldwide as a basis for effective conservation policies and programmes. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). TRAFFIC is a global organisation which is organised into six regional hubs.

Viet Nam is a key player in this global trade, as a source, transit point and consumer. As such, TRAFFIC has prioritised work in Viet Nam’s as a key player in the wider Southeast Asian context, including its role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and as part of the Greater Mekong sub-region. The leadership of a strong team and project portfolio in Viet Nam is essential if TRAFFIC is to deliver meaningful conservation impact.

The salary range for this role is USD 50,000-USD 66,000 per annum, dependant on skills and experience.

JOB DESCRIPTION

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES:

Plan, develop, coordinate and implement TRAFFIC’s work with a primary focus on Viet Nam, and to a lesser extent, other countries in the region. Work as part of the TRAFFIC regional leadership team in Southeast Asia in order to deliver TRAFFIC’s global conservation programme.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Oversee the implementation of the TRAFFIC’s global Conservation Programme as it relates to Viet Nam, as part of TRAFFIC’s Southeast Asia regional team.
• Develop and coordinate activities in Southeast Asia, focused largely on Viet Nam, as defined under TRAFFIC’s global Conservation Programme.
• Oversee strategic planning, development and implementation of work programmes, financial administration and fundraising including evaluation of ongoing and planned project activities, and identification of emerging wildlife trade issues and opportunities in Viet Nam, linked to the wider region.
• Ensure effective implementation and monitoring of work programmes and projects.
• Assure the financial management of TRAFFIC’s work in Viet Nam, and for relevant projects in other parts of the Southeast Asian region.
• Report regularly and maintain open channels of communication and co-ordination with TRAFFIC’s offices in Asia, and encourage collaboration, communication and coordination across the region, with TRAFFIC global network colleagues, and with partner organisations.
• Ensure delivery of quality outputs, on time and on budget to communicate TRAFFIC’s work, including reporting to meet regional and global requirements, including those of external funding agencies. This includes interaction with funding bodies, donor agencies and the media to help raise the profile of wildlife trade issues with a wider audience.
• Responsible for supervising, managing and mentoring the team to ensure strong performance and efficient working practices.

The primary responsibilities of the Head of Office in Viet Nam include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Participation in TRAFFIC’s management team in Asia, which includes regular communications, joint planning and leadership of projects in the region, and communication and collaboration with partners, such as WWF and IUCN, in the region;

• Overall programme management and leading the on-going implementation and progressive development of projects and activities in Viet Nam, providing a leading and mentoring role to staff;

• Develop, lead and support implementation of projects and activities in Viet Nam, and throughout prioritised locations within Southeast Asia. This includes project concept development, fundraising, financial management, staff and consultant recruitment, project implementation and reporting on activities;

• Build and maintain relationships with relevant government agencies, academic and professional groups, civil society partners, donors, private sector, and others;

• Learn, share, and apply expertise with regards to wildlife trade in line with an ‘adaptive management’ approach;

• Project management: deliver quality work on time and within budget:
  
  • Manage and coordinate the implementation of project activities by staff and consultants (as and when required);
  • Oversee and manage the programme resources, ensuring that expenditures do not exceed available funds and that deliverables adhere to agreed timelines;
  • Monitor the timely implementation and financial management of contracts;
  • Ensure technical and financial reports prepared following TRAFFIC/WWF and other donor requirements in timely manner;

• Implement and support communications and fundraising activities, in coordination with relevant staff;

• Develop and assist in preparation of project proposals and funding applications;

• Represents TRAFFIC’s Southeast Asia regional programme, and the TRAFFIC network at designated national and international meetings and conferences;

• Liaises with relevant TRAFFIC, WWF and IUCN programmes and regional/national offices in Asia about events, developments and activities related to wildlife conservation, trade and utilisation of plants and animals.’

• Undertake other relevant tasks as determined by the TRAFFIC senior management.

REQUIREMENTS

• University qualification in ecology, biology, natural history, natural resource management, political science, socio-economics, or one of the related sciences, and familiarity with major trends in conservation policy.
• Seven years of experience in wildlife conservation, including hands-on engagement with the Southeast Asia region.
• An ability to lead an active programme of work, with proven experience of team management, financial planning and the execution of work programmes and projects.
• Strong people management skills that motivate and inspire working collaborations.
• A good understanding of CITES and legal/illegal wildlife trade, including the complexities of supply and demand for wildlife products in Southeast Asia (Viet Nam and the Greater Mekong sub-region in particular) and links to global trade dynamics.
• Commitment to work as part of a management group across the broader TRAFFIC network, interacting with key partners from WWF and IUCN, and with other project-based collaborators.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills with respect for and sensitivity to political and multi-cultural approaches.
• Confidence in public speaking and good presentation skills, including proven ability to work with government officials at senior level.
• Fluent in English (oral and written) essential, and fluency in Vietnamese, would definitely be as asset.
• Proven capacity to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to travel frequently in Asia and elsewhere for work-related meetings.
• Familiarity with standard word processing, Excel and Power Point essential.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/