Intern – Enhancing Livelihoods and Markets

Intern – Enhancing Livelihoods and Markets
Application deadline: 15th May 2015

RECOFTC–The Center for People and Forests is a not-for-profit international organization with its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. It specializes in capacity building for community forestry and devolved forest management. RECOFTC engages in strategic networks and effective partnerships with governments, nongovernment organizations, civil society, the private sector, local people, and research and educational institutes throughout the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. With over 25 years of international experience and a rights-based approach to capacity building – involving research, analysis, piloting and demonstration, strategic communication, and training and learning networks – RECOFTC delivers innovative solutions for people and forests.

For its strategic program for 2013-18, RECOFTC’s work focuses on the four thematic areas of: securing community forestry; enhancing livelihoods and markets; people, forests and climate change; and transforming forest conflict. RECOFTC works to develop capacities of stakeholders at all levels to promote community forestry in each of the four thematic areas.

Our work in Enhancing Livelihoods and Markets seeks to develop the capacity of various stakeholders to ensure that communities are generating increased and equitable benefits and incomes from forest goods and services from community forests (including farm forest, small holder forest, village forest, communal forest, agro-forests) and linking these to markets. In addition to strengthening its capacity development and training program, and contributing to the discussions on improved livelihoods from community forests, RECOFTC conducts a significant amount of research and analysis in this field. This includes participatory action research, synthesis, publications and policy dialogues at all levels (local, national and international levels). Analysis is integrated within the broader context of RECOFTC’s capacity development program, aiming at informing policy makers and practitioners, and more importantly, providing a sound basis for capacity development of key stakeholders.

In this context RECOFTC is currently seeking an intern in research and analysis of Enhancing Livelihoods and Market development. The successful applicant will be based at RECOFTC headquarters, Bangkok. The internship duration is for 12 months.

Regional Internship Program

RECOFTC’s 2013-18 Strategic Plan calls for a new cross-cutting initiative to develop leadership opportunities for regional talent. The Regional Internship Program is a key component of this initiative. Each year, RECOFTC will host four Interns from the regional to support its work in the four thematic areas listed above.

An internship is a method of on-the-job training, and consists of an exchange of services for experience between the intern and an organization. RECOFTC’s Regional Internship Program is therefore targeted toward young professionals and staff from forest agencies and other relevant organizations who are motivated by a desire to learn more about the field of community forestry and to gain valuable professional experience, while at the same time supporting the work of RECOFTC.

Internships at RECOFTC are structured to enable a broad learning experience relating to community forestry and capacity development, both in the office and in the field. Interns will be expected to engage in a variety of activities as a member of diverse project teams in order to gain experience in different topical and functional areas. Interns will also be expected to take the lead and overall responsibility for at least one project.

A supervisor will mentor and guide the day-to-day work of the intern. Formal monthly learning review sessions will take place, as well as a final review at the end of internship.

POSITION SUMMARY

RECOFTC is looking to place an intern with its Enhancing Livelihoods and Markets thematic area. The intern will work under the supervision of the ELM thematic coordinator and will be based in Bangkok, Thailand, with travel in the region. The details of the position are as follows;

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Support RECOFTC’s various capacity development functions:
  
  • Research and analyze and synthesize livelihood development and enterprise development related to community forestry cases at global, regional, but mainly at national and local levels in RECOFTC focus countries (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Nepal);
  • Develop and deliver experiential and action-oriented training programs and interventions towards livelihoods, enterprise development and markets mechanisms based on the priorities of the RECOFTC focal countries;
  • Set up, facilitate and consolidate learning networks; and maintain and further develop existing alliances for a more coherent network of supporters to community based enterprises;
  • Contribute to the development of strategic communications products and services that reinforce key messages for RECOFTC’s partners and networks and;
  • Support, facilitate, and document enhancing livelihoods and markets processes aimed at strengthening collaboration between stakeholders and sustainable forest management.

• Assist in developing synergies between the ELM and the other thematic areas, including securing community forestry, transforming forest conflict and people forests and climate change.
• Follow up the recommendations into policy briefs to be launched in RECOFTC focal countries.
• Work closely with the ELM thematic coordinator and CDTS Manager to conduct learning interventions that contribute to RECOFTC’s mission, are of interest to the intern, and which can be accomplished during the term of the internship.
• Any other duties that may emerge during the course of the contract and that are agreed on between the intern, ELM thematic coordinator and the CDTS manager.

QUALIFCIATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Bachelor degree preferably related to socio-economics, community forestry, natural resource management, governance or development studies.
• Professionalism and interpersonal skills including ability to interact with people at all levels in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment; flexible and open-minded.
• Value the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning.
• A national of one of RECOFTC’s focal countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Nepal and China.
• Fluent in English with proven writing skills.

Desirable

• Interest and experience in communications and/or natural resource management.
• Previous working experiences in Asia or a developing country.
• Positive attitude toward new challenges under various circumstances.
• Ability to speak one of the languages of RECOFTC’s focal countries (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Nepal).
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and using web based applications.
• Basic graphic design and layout skills.

General

• In addition to job specific skills and experience, the applicant should possess the following characteristics (including attitudes and skills):
• Possess leadership personality, and able to take on and solve problems quickly and efficiently.
• Initiative and ability to make informed independent judgments (which is not inconsistent with an overall team approach).
• Ability to work in a variety of cultural and institutional contexts.
• Output and outcome oriented.

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV and a cover letter indicating why they are suitable for this position along with salary requirements and current contact details of three referees, including recent supervisors to [email protected]. Please quote the position title: Intern – Enhancing Livelihoods and Markets in the subject line of the email. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

To learn more about RECOFTC, please visit our website www.recoftc.org

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.