Programme Manager, Asia Pacific Community Carbon Pool & REDD+ Programme

Programme Manager, Asia Pacific Community Carbon Pool REDD+ Programme
Fauna & Flora International

Gross Annual Salary:           Circa EUR 46,000 (approx USD 62,000 at current rates)
Start Date:                             As soon as possible
End Date:                               15^th January 2014
Location:                                Hanoi, Jakarta, Phnom Penh or Manila (open for discussion) 

Founded in 1903, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world’s longest-established international conservation organisation.  Our vision is to create a sustainable future for the planet where biodiversity is conserved by the people living closest to it.  We aim to do this through the conservation of threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. We operate primarily in developing countries where there is little capacity to conserve endangered and threatened habitats and species.  We have become a trusted entity in the world of conservation.  Today FFI is active in over 40 countries.

Since 2006, FFI has been exploring ways in which emerging Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) mechanisms, including Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) projects,  can be harnessed for the benefit of conservation and local communities.  Building on over 100 years’ experience of working in collaboration with developing country governments, civil society and the corporate sector, we have been developing conservation projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst improving local livelihoods and conserving biodiversity by securing financing from PES linked markets.

The core idea behind REDD+ (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, plus enhancing forest carbon stocks in developing countries) is to make performance based payments to forest owners to reduce emissions by conserving their forest. Such payments for ecosystem services (PES) can only succeed with clearly defined land tenure and carbon rights. REDD+ therefore requires a broad set of policies that include institutional reforms in the areas of governance, tenure, decentralisation and community forest management (CFM).

A Euro 3 million EU-funded project “Developing community carbon pools for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, plus enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) projects in selected ASEAN countries” secured by FFI and to be implemented by this position, will contribute to this by supporting local government, local communities and civil society to participate in national, sub-national and regional policy dialogues, and by supporting the design and implementation of pilot REDD+ projects, with the aim of establishing social and environmental safeguards and equitable benefit sharing mechanisms.

The project has been designed to build the capacity of local communities and local governments to actively participate in REDD+ pilot projects in Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia and feed lessons learned into policy dialogues at sub-national, national and regional level. The pilot projects will develop local CFM institutions that comprise equitable, easy to understand, locally devised and implemented rules, with a potential to reduce emissions effectively while providing benefits to forest-dependent local and indigenous people.

FFI is seeking a highly experienced and results-orientated individual with an established international reputation in PES and REDD+ to lead FFI’s Community Carbon Pool and REDD+ Programme in the Asia Pacific region. The successful candidate will have experience in REDD+ technical concepts, and at least 5 years’ experience in forest conservation.  S/he will have strategic vision, strong leadership skills and excellent communication and administrative skills. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate s/he can become a driving force for Community Forestry REDD+ in south-east Asia based on the development of truly innovative REDD+ projects in four countries. 

The successful applicant will have strong practical experience in the development of pro-poor REDD+ policies, legislation and regulations in accordance with international best practice, demonstrate skills in high level corporate and government engagement as well as experience in strengthening CBOs in the forest sector. S/he will have a higher degree or equivalent training or experience in a relevant discipline such as carbon science, forest conservation, environmental economics and substantial experience in a related role. Experience in the south-east Asia region is required.  

This is a fixed term contarct ending 15th January 2014.

For further details and to apply please visit: www.fauna-flora.org/ourvacancies.php

The closing date for applications is Sunday 20^th February 2011.  No agencies please.

FFI values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity