ThaiNGO

Position title: Mae Ping Forest Complex Project Officer, WWF Thailand
Directly reports to: Project Manager, WWF Thailand
Location: Mae Ping Forest Complex

1. Background
For over 50 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. As the world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works across 100 countries and is supported by close to 5 million members globally. WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at all levels locally to globally, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature. WWF has been working in Thailand since 1983 and established a country office in 1995. WWF Thailand has been working on tiger conservation for more than a decade, with activities in support of tiger and tiger prey monitoring through use of camera traps, technical and funding assistance for SMART patrol, tiger prey augmentation, and community education and outreach.

2. Major Functions

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer will support all aspects of a new, integrated project to support the Thai government in enhancing the effectiveness of conservation in three core protected areas in the Mae Ping Forest Complex (Om Koi and Mae Teun Wildlife Sanctuaries and Mae Ping National Park), with a particular focus on creating the enabling conditions to restore tiger, leopard, and Clouded leopard populations; all three cats are either highly endangered or extirpated in the Complex. The project will have three broad goals: wildlife inventory, enhancement of protected area management and SMART patrol, and increased participation by local residents and other stakeholders in conservation of the park’s natural resources.

The Project Officer will conduct wildlife camera trapping, support training and provision of equipment for SMART Patrol rangers, work on community education and involvement in conservation activities, improve ungulate habitat, and oversee construction of small infrastructure, such a ranger housing and/or educational facilities. He/she will build and maintain strong relationships with the three protected area managers and staff, as well as local communities.

3. Major Responsibilities
Program Implementation

• Implement wildlife monitoring via camera trapping and other survey techniques;
• With support from Project Manager, analyse research results and draft reports;
• Support ranger capacity building and patrolling;
• Support and implement community outreach and livelihood projects;
• Coordinate logistics with protected area staff;
• Maintain field equipment;
• Assist in the design of project surveys and studies;
• Support Project Manager in development work plans;
• Monitor progress against work plan;
• Assist with donors and VIP visit to project sites;
• Perform administrative and logistics tasks (e.g. procurement of field equipment, vehicle logs, travel, etc.);
• Maintain and ensure security of all databases, technical reports, presentations, maps, photos, and videos produced by the project.

Communications

• Liaise and introduce activities to key partners, other interested groups, both public and private sector, inside and outside WWF;
• Provide input to communications products/campaigns.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
• Assist in the preparation of semi-annual technical and financial reports.

4. Working Relationships
Internal

• WWF Thailand: Interact on a regular basis with the Conservation Programme Manager, Finance, M&E, and Safeguards staff, and Project Managers and Officers of similar projects.
• WWF Network: Coordinate and consult with donor offices and subject matter experts as assigned by Project Manager.

External

• Interact with Government agencies at the protected area and regional levels, as well as NGO partners, communities, and other stakeholders.

5. Requirements
Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation, forestry, natural resource management, or related fields.

Knowledge

• Working knowledge of wildlife conservation issues, agencies, and procedures in Thailand

Experience

• Two years of practical experience in conducting wildlife studies and/or inventories and coordinating research activities, experience in Thailand strongly preferred;
• Experience in working with government officials, local communities and/or donors at all levels.

General Skills

• Presentations, communications, and negotiation
• Teamwork
• Planning, organisation, time management, and coordination
• Fluency in written and spoken Thai and intermediate or stronger fluency in written and spoken English.
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Proficiency in GIS highly desirable.

Abilities

• Ability to travel and work for up to 5 days under field conditions in remote areas;
• Ability to work on own initiative with minimum supervision.

This TOR covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to project/organizational needs.