Senior Technical Advisor, Bolikhamxay Landscape

Position: Senior Technical Advisor, Bolikhamxay Landscape

Reports to: WCS Laos Country Program Director

Location: The position is based in the Capital City of Vientiane, and will require extensive travel to Paksan and within Bolikhamxay Province (PAFO Office)

Country Program/Sector: GCP/WCS Laos Country Program

Position Type: Full-Time

Expected travel: Periodic travel (expected at least 50%) to work in Bolikhamxay Province, as required.

Organization Background:

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

Program Overview:

WCS began working in Laos in the 1980s, surveying wildlife and habitats around the country to assist the government in creating Laos’ national protected area system. In the early 1990s, WCS documented wildlife and habitats in many of the newly created national protected areas and began supporting the government to train protected area managers, as well as raise awareness about illegal wildlife trade. In 1994, WCS officially established a country office in Laos. Over almost three decades, WCS Laos has successfully implemented more than 30 projects with the Government of Laos, supported by more than 30 donors, and has increasingly moved away from a project approach into a more integrated, programmatic, strategic, and holistic approach to conservation.

Our vision for the Laos Country Program is that the unique ecosystems of Laos thrive indefinitely and are valued by the people of Laos, and the world, for their biodiversity, natural beauty, and the services they provide to humanity. A core strategy to fulfil that vision is to improve protection and management of wildlife and wild places by building the capacity and meaningful participation of government and local stakeholders, raising public awareness through conservation outreach and education, providing alternative livelihoods—including nature-based tourism—to guardian villages, influencing institutional, policy, legal and regulatory reforms relevant to protected areas and wildlife, developing the national wildlife health surveillance network, and combatting illegal wildlife trade.

The current portfolio consists of (i) four conservation landscapes: Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park (NEPL NP), Bolikhamxai Landscape, Koun Xe – Nong Ma National Protected Area and Xe Champhone Wetlands; (ii) two cross-cutting programs on Counter Wildlife Trafficking and Wildlife Health; and (iii) a thematic focus on conservation policy and research.

The Senior Technical Advisor will provide technical support and guidance to the Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager in Laos. WCS has an MoU with the Government of Laos to provide technical assistance to the Bolikhamxay Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office (PAFO) in the management support of several national and provincial protected areas. The program goal is to ensure the sustainable management of these protected areas and their functions as a model in Southeast Asia through promoting sustainable integrated protected area management that models integrative planning and management at multiple scales by taking a landscape-scale approach to protect and reverse the degradation of ecosystems. It promotes the use of co-management models where communities and local government gain increased voice and bene?ts, and the private sector is engaged in sustainable business practices. The program also supports the government in strengthening environmental policy at national level, with sustainable finance approaches developed and demonstrated in Bolikhamxay to ensure the long-term protection of forests and biodiversity, and community development.

Job Summary:

The Bolikhamxay Senior Technical Advisor provides strategic, programmatic, and technical support and guidance to the Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager in the development, implementation and management of the field level activities aligned with the MOU. He/she will provide technical supports to the Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager, WCS Laos Senior Technical Advisor, WCS Laos Country Program Director, Deputy Country Program Director and team members in overall strategic development, program planning and budgeting processes for the Bolikhamxay Landscape. He/she will provide technical support for guiding technical orientations and providing specific technical inputs for on-site for better decisions.

The current landscapes include Nam Kading NPA, Phou Sithon ESCA, NN1PC NC-NX Biodiversity Offset Area and Watershed Management Areas, The Key Biodiversity Area of the Eastern Bolikhamxay Annamites (Nam Chat-Nam Pan/ Phou Chomvoy PPA/ Phou Sithone ESCA).

Major Responsibilities:

1. 1.       Conservation Strategic and Programmatic Planning and Development (Level of Effort 20%)

• In coordination with Country Program Director, Deputy Country Program Director, WCS staff in Laos, regionally and New York, identify new funding opportunities to support priority conservation initiatives in the Bolikhamxay Landscape.  Lead grant proposals, engage the donor community, and liaise with other organizations.
• In coordination with the WCS Laos Country Program Director, Deputy Country Program Director, the Bolikhamxay National Program Manager and Bolikhamxay Program technical team, further develop a conservation vision and strategic plan for WCS’ work in the Bolikhamxay landscape that identifies goals, objectives and programs of work for research, conservation and community resource management.  Review and refine program priorities, strategy and approaches, and overall monitoring and evaluation system.  
• Help to identify conservation priorities and technical needs within the Bolikhamxay Landscape; assist in building new partnerships with government, NGOs and private sector.
• In collaboration with the Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager and WCS Laos Country Program Director, Deputy Country Program Director represent WCS’ conservation work in the Bolikhamxay Landscape to technical and financial partners, government partners, and other NGOs; present program information at national and international meetings. Establish and maintain strong working relationships with these partners.
• In accordance with priorities and available resources, oversee the implementation of research activities in the Bolikhamxay landscape, including training of national students and staff research.

1. 2.       Program Implementation and Reporting (Level of Effort 25%)    

• Provide technical support to the Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager and WCS Bolikhamxay team to reinforce their technical planning, management, and implementation capacity. With the Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager, Country Program Director and HR Officer, provide or coordinate and facilitate capacity building, training and professional development of Bolikhamxay staff and partners.
• ·         Provide technical support in the preparation of annual work and budget plans, and periodic reports as required by WCS and financial partners. Ensure compliance with WCS reporting and management policies and procedures including appropriate content and clarity of all reports.
• Promote and oversee coordination of WCS Bolikhamxay Landscape research and conservation initiatives.  Ensure appropriate and efficient collection, analysis, dissemination, and publication of field data.  With the Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager, Conservation Science Director, and Country Director, publicize WCS Bolikhamxay Landscape program achievements through popular and scientific media, and publish project results in scientific journals.
• Provide technical support to and maintain regular contact with Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager and Bolikhamxay field staff, in program/project workplan development, financial planning and field level implementation through regular team meetings and field visits.
• Provide technical advice to the Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager, WCS Laos Country Program Director and Deputy Country Program Director in determining personnel and technical needs to ensure implementation of an efficient, effective, and technically capable Bolikhamxay Landscape program. 
• Ensure that field program/project efforts coordinate with other technical and financial partners within the context of a landscape approach. Promote capacity building of local communities as effective and engaged resource stewards.
• Prepare recommendations to address any problems or constraints with the implementation of the WCS Bolikhamxay Landscape program and support the Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager in implementing those recommendations upon discussion with and endorsement by the Country Program Director.
• Carry out other duties, as required, to ensure successful operations in the Bolikhamxay Landscape.

1. 3.       Improve conservation status of the Key Biodiversity Area of Eastern Bolikhamxay Mountains (Annamites) KBA (Level of Effort 25%)

• Provide technical support to the Bolikhamxay landscape Manager on preparation of the creation of a new PA status to the the Nam Chat – Nam Pan/ Phou Chomvoy / Phou Sithon forests within the Eastern Bolikhamxay Mountains (Annamites) KBA in coordination with Bolikhamxay PAFO and the Department of Forestry (DoF).

1. 4.       Integration and support of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Project into Bolikhamsay landscape (Level of Effort 30%)

• Provide technical support to the Bolikhamxay Landscape Manager and the ADB Offset Project Director to integrate the ADB project into Bolikhamsay landscape in coordination with Bolikhamsay PAFO.
• Provide and coordinate field activity reporting support to the ADB Offset Project Director.
• In coordination with the ADB Offset Project Director, participate in required ADB NNP1 project meetings including important site monthly meetings, NNP1 EMO coordination meetings, and supporting site visits by ADB, and associated consultants.

Minimum Requirements:

• Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience in Conservation, Natural Resource Management, or related field.
• Proven ability to achieve successful on-the-ground conservation in tropical developing countries.
• Proven grant management and experience with supporting fund raising and grant writing
• Ability to effectively deal with the challenges of field-based tropical conservation and local community and conservation politics.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people of diverse cultures, value systems, perspectives, and levels of education, and to manage staff in these contexts.
• Ability to build capacity in community-driven natural resource management, field research, conservation biology, conservation advocacy, and project management.  Demonstrated success raising funds and managing large projects. 
• Professional proficiency in English.
• Willingness to travel within Lao PDR and internationally.

Applications:

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should apply by sending an application letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three references, at the soonest possible time through the following link:

https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25965&siteid=5168#jobDetails=767236_5168

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, colour, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.

Pre-screening will start as soon as WCS starts to receive incoming application.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.