ThaiNGO

POSITION TITLE:    Consultant – Activity Coordinator for No Burn Campaign

LOCATION:              Bangkok

PROJECT:                USDA Thailand Regional Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN)

REPORTS TO:         Chief of Party    

Background:

Winrock International (Winrock) is a non-profit organization that works around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. The USDA-funded Thailand Regional Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN) project is a five-year, $16 million project implemented by Winrock. Winrock implements RAIN in 11 provinces in Thailand and supports smallholder farmers and many other agricultural actors in Thailand’s public and private sectors. RAIN identifies emerging climate smart innovations (CSi), promotes CSi to farmers, and ensures sustainability by facilitating market access to CSi in 6 agriculture value chains. To facilitate market access to CSi, RAIN is developing business models for 30 CSi to scale to a total of 30,000 farmers.

Rice straw burning is a common practice in many agricultural regions, resulting in the combustion of the carbon in the straw and loss into the atmosphere, associated with the production of greenhouse gases such as NOx, CO, and CO2, as well as fine dust particles such as PM2.5 and PM10. Soil carbon sequestration has been suggested as a strategy for climate change mitigation. Returning crop residues to the soil is a recommended practice that increases organic carbon accumulation in the soil. It is estimated that 15% of crop residue can be stored in soil and using compost can increase microbial activity and reduce the methane (CH₄) intensity. 

One CSI under consideration is Soil Digest: Novel microbial consortium rich in lignocellulolytic microbes boost up the decomposition process within 10 - 15 days. Lignocellulolytic microbes produce enzymes to degrade celluloses and hemicelluloses contained in the rice straw. Consortium lignocellulolytic microbes also degrade others agricultural biomass. Incorporating rice straw with microorganisms can convert crop straw into organic fertilizer, an effective way to utilize straw resources. It has the advantages of a long fertilizer effect and good stability. Ultimately, environmentally friendly products, humus, are generated.  

RAIN has piloted Soil Digest with rice farmers in Chaiyaphum and Khon Kaen with satisfying results. Farmers are happy with the alternative (Note: other microbial products are available.) The use of microbial products with non-chemical usage as a requisite has visible results – stubbles decompose well in only 15 days and the presence of small animals in rice fields including fish, frogs, and earthworms. Local authorities have stated that farmers who burn agricultural waste will not be eligible for relevant government support, and Soil Digest therefore benefits beyond how they manage their farms.  

To support government policy; no-burn and provide farmers with appropriate options to reduce burning in agricultural areas and reduce PM2.5 problems. This project RAIN will support some of the budget for purchasing microorganism’s product, coordinate and facilitate private sector and local government agency for co-funding as a discount coupon for farmer.

Position: Activity Coordinator for No Burn Campaign
 

RAIN seeks a consultant to coordinate the design and implementation of activities being implemented by RAIN and partners in regard to the promotion and adoption of Soil Digest.

This position is open for Thai Nationals only.
 

Scope of Work:

1. Create and maintain overall No Burn Campaign Work Plan:
   1. Collect information on current and proposed activities identified by RAIN staff and partners related to Soil Digest.
   2. Confirm resources and implementation dates for all activities.
   3. Create and maintain implementation budget.
   4. Create a workplan document and Gantt chart, noting agricultural seasonal transition periods.
   5. Confirm consensus with RAIN staff and partners on activities and dates.

2. Engage and coordinate with stakeholders in No Burn Campaign Work Plan:
   1. Coordinate with RAIN staff and partners, including: local government agencies, farmer organizations, product distributors (ex. Agrimomo), input suppliers, farmer agents, universities, research agencies, and other stakeholders as identified in the Work Plan.
   2. Coordinate with RAIN consultants.
   3. Facilitate an online platform allowing stakeholders to communicate easily with each other.

3. Monitor and support activities in No Burn Campaign Work Plan:
   1. Monitor and support implementation of all activities in the approved plan.
   2. Collaborate with operations team to coordinate the procurement of supplies, hiring of consultants, and issuing of grants.
   3. Provide reporting on activity progress, identifying challenges and responding to delays.
   4. Issue routine reporting on progress.

Deliverables & Timeline:

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in project management activities involving multiple organizations.
• Proven track record of coordinating communications and collaboration across multiple organizations.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize qualitative data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication skills in both Thai and English.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team as well as independently.
• Familiarity with agricultural technology and rural community engagement is a plus.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes, and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law. Our project is at Kasetsart University, Bangkok. We are working in a hybrid between office and home.
 

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit:

1. CV highlighting relevant experiences.
2. A cover letter explaining their approach to this project and why they are a suitable candidate.
3. Estimated number of LOE days and proposed daily consultancy rate

Interested candidates are invited to submit their documents to rain.consultant@winrock.org by 26 July 2024. Please include “Consultant – Activity Coordinator for No Burn Campaign” in the email's subject line. Winrock would like to thank all applicants for their interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.