Project Coordinator on Production Forest

Project Coordinator on Production Forest

USAID Vietnam Sustainable Forest Management Activity

Scope of Work

Preferred by Nature (formerly NEPCon) is a non-profit organisation that works for sustainable land use and climate-friendly solutions. With 250+ staff around the world, our projects build capacity, raise awareness, conserve nature and streamline sustainability through innovation. More information about Preferred by Nature can be found on the website (https://preferredbynature.org/).

NEPCon is a subcontractor to DAI, an international development company for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Sustainable Forest Management activity in Vietnam, being implemented from July 2020 to 2025.

Position: Project Coordinator on Production Forest

Level of Effort: Equivalent to a full-time position

Period of Performance: January 2023 to April 30, 2025

Management line: Technically Report to Director of Enterprise Development and Operationally report to Preferred by Nature’s Country Manager in Vietnam

Base of Operations: Home-based and travel to Hanoi and seven Project provinces.

Project Background

The Vietnam Sustainable Forest Management Activity (the Project) will work with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to reduce carbon emissions associated with deforestation, the degradation of natural forests, and poor plantation management. The project will implement a “Green Prosperity” approach that strengthens local communities’ ability to protect their natural resource base and reduce emissions while building a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods and equitable economic growth.

The project will work in six provinces and focus on five Objectives:

1. Strengthening community forest management;
2. Promoting conservation-friendly enterprises;
3. Improving law enforcement to tackle environmental crimes;
4. Enhancing the management of production forests; and
5. Mobilising domestic resources.

The project will be working closely with the Ministry for Agricultural and Rural Development (MARD), the focus provinces tentatively include: Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Nghe An, Son La and Lao Cai.

DAI is the lead partner, with NEPCon and RECOFTC as subcontractors. We aim to bring local talent and international best practices to the project that will help us build in-country technical and operational skills and strengthen community forest management well beyond the life of the programme.

Enhancing the management of production forests

Preferred by Nature is responsible for delivering the fourth activity: enhancing the management of production forests. We envisage this activity to consist of the following main elements:

1. Increasing the production of sustainable timber by small-scale foresters
   We will convene wood production stakeholders to map potential sustainable wood production zones and implement interventions that strengthen grower groups, increase production of high-quality timber products and create replicable, scalable models.
   
   
2. Increasing the demand for certified timber
   We will engage with sawmills and other wood processors to catalyse aggregator-level demand for certified timber through business plan development, access to finance and support for Chain of Custody (CoC) certification.
   
   
3. Developing market linkages between timber producers and industry
   We will facilitate linkages between producers and buyers, alongside supporting broader market transformation for certified wood products. We will design and implement a series of interventions to enhance market opportunities for community grower groups and transform the broader market.

Summary of Primary Duties

The Project Coordinator on Production Forest (hereafter referred as the Project Coordinator) shall be responsible for the overall 1) facilitate and streamline work done under Objective 4 –Enhancing the management of production forests;  2) coordinate work done by LTTAs and STTAs, and 3) Monitor Progress  on Objective 4 of the USAID Sustainable Forest Management Project. The Project Coordinator is also responsible for providing technical input to ensure objectives are met in dialogue with project management on DAI side and Preferred by Nature country manager. This includes to create synergy between all objectives of the Project and provide linkage between centralized functions of the project located in Hanoi and the seven provinces where activities are implemented.   

Essential Duties

In close collaboration with Preferred by Nature’s Country Manager in Vietnam, home office staff, the Certification Specialist, the Silviculture Specialists and the Forestry Expert the Project Coordinator will carry out the following duties:

For Coordination on Objective 4 (30%)

• Coordinate the work of short-term technical assistance (STTA) on operational, administrative and financial aspects.
• Concur travel requests submitted by STTAs under the authorization of the PbN Country Manager.
• Lead the recruitment (LTTA and STTA whenever needed) in close coordination with Home Office staff and Preferred by Nature’s Country Manager in Vietnam, to ensure good implementation of the Project.
• Represent PbN at Project meetings and events.
• Facilitate visits of Home Office staff and other international visitors to Vietnam under Objective 4.

For Technical Inputs on Objective 4 (70%)

• Provide strategic and technical input to activities and workplans on Objective 4.
• Support efficient implementation of silviculture activities,
• Be responsible for the implementation of sustainable forest management plan activities that contribute to improving at least 50,000 hectares of forest
• Maintain and overview project progress on Objective 4 in accordance with the Project goals and indicators.
• Review and support development of workplans and activity proposals
• Support and link project activities, as needed, in all seven provinces and report to DAI Office in Hanoi.

Qualifications

l. Professional

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant education within management, organization or other technical areas of relevance to the project.
• At least 10 years of experience in project management with development projects in Vietnam and a good record of working with government and development agencies.
• Prior experience in managing teams, preferably in technical strategy development, activity planning and implementation.
• Strong provincial connections and understanding of planning processes and direct working experience with provincial government and private partners.
• Excellent networking and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and to motivate and inspire teamwork.
• Ability to work independently and a willingness to travel frequently within Vietnam and occasionally internationally.
• Vietnamese nationals only.

ll. Personal

• Strong interpersonal skills and a head for technical details.
• Proven high level or project related management skills.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English.
• Open-minded and friendly personality, who is good at communicating with people at all levels  
• An analytical approach.
• High level of self-discipline, an ability to organise and manage own time, as well as making independent decisions and meet deadlines. 
• Good networking and negotiation skills, as well as excellent organisational and planning skills. 
• Comfortable speaking at events.  
• Constructive team-player with an open attitude towards other cultures, as Preferred by Nature collaborates across borders. 
• Belief in Preferred by Nature’s vision and mission and a desire to contribute to fulfilling it. 

Position details

Work hours: 40 hours/week for full-time positions

Employment contract: one-year duration, with possible extensions until the closure of the Project.

Base of operations: as agreed in Vietnam, with regional travel as required by the project

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Expected starting date: February 2023.

We offer

• All employees are members of the organisation and can contribute to the overall development of Preferred by Nature through the annual General Assembly 
• An exciting and challenging position within a dynamic and innovative international organisation with a mission-driven work atmosphere
• A friendly, international team of colleagues, with a pleasant work environment
• Excellent opportunities for growth and professional development 
• International training in certification services provided by Preferred by Nature
• Potential international travel opportunities.   

How to apply and requested documents

Interested candidates are requested to submit:

• CV in English or Vietnamese
• Cover letter in English or Vietnamese indicating why they are suitable for this position
• Scanned copy of relevant degrees

Application shall be done via email to our recruitment at [email protected] / [email protected]  

Please quote the position title in the subject line: “Project Coordinator on Production Forest”. Deadline for application: 5.00pm (Hanoi time), February 10, 2023

For questions, please contact:

Ho Van Cu, Country Manager, Vietnam  

Email: [email protected]  ­