Overview

Myanmar is a spectacularly diverse country and a melting pot of biological and socio-cultural diversity. After a decade of reforms and only five years since the first democratic elections, Myanmar is on an economic development pathway in which the decisions being made now will determine the future of its natural assets.  WWF’s vision for Myanmar is that “Myanmar is a global inspiration on conservation excellence and innovation where nature is cherished, respected, protected and connects with all who call it home.

WWF Myanmar has identified two priority landscapes under its new Country Programme (2020-2025), namely the: Dawna Tennasserim Landscape (DTL) and the Ayeyarwady River Basin Landscape (ARL), both of which host iconic species such as tiger, elephant, and the Irrawaddy Dolphin among the most notable ones. Under the Forest Component, it aims to ensure that the forest habitats in priority landscapes are secured, restored, connected, and climate resilient, enabling conservation of biodiversity and providing vital services to biodiversity and people. The forest strategic programme has four pillars: community conservation area management, forest landscape restoration, forest governance and timber trade, and livelihoods.

The programme manager is expected to contribute 80% of her (his) time to the DTL landscape and remaining 20% to the ARL landscape.

WWF-Myanmar is now inviting applications for a Forest Programme Manager position to be based in Dawei, Myanmar. (Yangon can also be considered)

Position title: Forest Programme Manager, WWF-Myanmar
Directly reports to: DTL Landscape Manager, WWF-Myanmar
Technically reports to: Conservations Director, WWF Myanmar
Supervises: Forest Project Officer/s
Validity: to start as soon as possible
Location: Dawei, Tanintharyi Region (Yangon can also be considered)

Major Function

The Forest Programme Manager will be responsible for managing the forest programme of WWF Myanmar. In this capacity, s/he will have the oversight and leading functions for all WWF’s forest-related work including managing of all forest conservation projects, providing effective leadership and day to day managerial oversight to the forest programme team members, strengthening and managing relationship with internal and external stakeholders. More specifically, the duties and responsibilities will include the following.

  1. 1. Ensures implementation of the forest strategy through specific projects:
  • Fully understands how forest programme links, both spatially and thematically, to other programmes with the ultimate objective to conserve and restore wild spaces; fully understands and further strengthens DTL level goals and milestones.
  • Manages and is responsible for the delivery of forest projects and forest components of cross-cutting projects in DTL. These projects range from community forests, community conserved areas, forest restoration, inclusive forest governance, conservation area planning, and sustainable livelihoods.
  1. 2. Strengthens partnership with relevant stakeholders:
  • Strengthens partnership with government though regular meetings and other channels with the objective to create an enabling policy framework for inclusive forest governance and management.
  • Participates in dialogue for developing the national forest sector. Advocates for enhancement of sustainable forest management and responsible production of timber and timber products as well as non-timber forest products for improved human well-being of forest dependent communities

The detailed job description is at http://www.wwf.org.mm/en/myanmar_career_page/

Requirements

    • Master’s degree in natural resources management, forest conservation and management, environmental or conservation management, bioregional planning, development studies, or in relevant fields.
    • 5 years of practical and relevant experience in leading and managing programmes or projects
    • Proven experience in managing projects funded by a diversity of donors such as EU, USAID, and DFID (FCO) with budget of over a million USD
    • Technical knowledge of sustainable forest management, community based conservation area planning and management, forest restoration, and high conservation value approach.
    • Excellent understanding of development partnerships, fund-raising, donor strategies, functions, governmental and international relations
    • Landscape/land use planning, and GIS knowledge and skills are an advantage
    • Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Myanmar and/or Karen will be a distinct advantage

Closing Date: 8 February 2021 (Monday)

Interested candidates should email vacancy.mm@wwf.org.mm or send a hard copy cover letter and curriculum vitae in English to 15C, Than Taman Street, Dagon Township Yangon, stating the applied position title. Email application documents should be addressed as Document_Your fullname.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.