IKI Sustainable Sand mining Project Director cum Freshwater Practice Lead

Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home - the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. A growing realization that nature is our life-support system. And that nobody will be spared from the impacts of its loss. Here at WWF, we are helping to tackle this enormous global challenge.

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What we do

We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainably.

About WWF-Viet Nam

WWF-Viet Nam was one of the first International non-government organizations working in Viet Nam. In 1985, WWF-Viet Nam began working on a national conservation strategy and since then has worked closely with the Vietnamese Government on a diverse range of environmental issues and implemented field activities across the country. Find out more at http://vietnam.panda.org/. 

WWF recognizes that its employees are its most important asset. A competent workforce, thoroughly trained, properly motivated, and bound together by mutual trust and common objectives is crucial to the success of WWF.

We are looking for 01 IKI Sustainable Sand mining Project Director cum Freshwater Practice Lead, WWF-Viet Nam, based in Ho Chi Minh City

Mekong Delta is increasingly impacted by the limited inflow of sediments from upper Mekong due to dams. Unsustainable sand mining is adding substantial risks of subsidence of the Detta, which is further exacerbated by Climate change. WWF- Viet Nam and the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development are implementing the project “Drifting Sands: Mitigating the impacts of climate change in the Mekong Delta through public and private sector engagement in the sand industry” (IKI Sand Mining Project) with funding from the German Government (IKI BMU). The aim of the project is to reduce the vulnerability of the Mekong Delta to climate change and the socio-economic and environmental consequences of river sand and gravel mining. The project comprises four components: (1) Establish a delta wide sand budget (2) Raise awareness of the public and relevant decision-makers on the effects of unsustainable sand and gravel extraction; (3) Improve access on the risks and opportunities of different sourcing methods for sand and gravel; (4) Design and promote the sustainable extraction of sand and gravel in the Mekong Delta in relevant provincial plans and national guidelines and regulations.

Major Functions

The incumbent is responsible for the overall control, planning, management, implementation and reporting of the IKI Sand Mining Project and ensures compliance with the WWF-Viet Nam policies, Project Document and WWF’s contractual obligations. This includes responsibilities for technical, financial and administrative aspects of the Project, in close co-operation and supervision of WWF Germany, relevant staff of WWF-Viet Nam Country and Greater Mekong.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and timely implementation of the project activity work plans to ensure that the project achieves its objectives as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible in compliance with WWF-Viet Nam policies.
• In coordination with the National Project Manager, represent the project within the WWF network and with external partners; including in workshops, conferences, and symposium (task shared with Lead Freshwater Asia Pacific).
• Manage/oversee relations with government and development and technical partners 
• Coordinate and lead all Freshwater related work within WWF-Viet Nam to fulfil country practice goals and outcomes, and contributions to global goals and practice outcomes.
• Assure and oversee the management of the freshwater project portfolio which are currently managed by project managers

Required Qualifications       

• Master’s degree in a field relevant to water/natural resources management, environmental economy/governance or relevant fields.
• Understanding of river morphology, sand budget, sand/sediment flows measurement mechanisms and methodologies.
• Proven experience in managing large (> 2 million Euros) conservation & development projects/programmes in developing countries (preferably in Viet Nam), including line managing staff, sub-contract and procurement policies
•  Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Collaboration,  Respect & Integrity;
• Demonstrates WWF behaviours in ways of working: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly
• Adheres to WWF’s values, which are: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging. 

How to apply

The detailed terms of references are attached. Send us your curriculum vitae & cover letter in English, naming each file: “Full name - CV/CL”.

For external candidates outside the WWF network, please send your applications to [email protected] stating in the subject line: IKI Director - Full name

The deadline is Dec 15th, 2021

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

“WWF is an equal opportunity employer and committed to having a diverse workforce."