ThaiNGO

TERMS REFERENCE

Position title: Deputy Chief of Party USAID - WWF Mekong for the Future

Directly reports to: Chief of Party, USAID - WWF Mekong for the Future, WWF Greater Mekong

Supervises: Project Assistant USAID Mekong for the Future. Interns, Volunteers and Consultants as required

Place of work: Bangkok, Thailand

Duration: Contract End on Sep 2025

1. Background information on the Services/Goods to be supplied

WWF, the world’s leading conservation organization, seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the USAID-funded Mekong for the Future project activity to be based in one of the five WWF Greater Mekong country offices (Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar).

The Mekong for the Future is a five-year project, ending in 2025, that will support natural resources governance and transparency across the Greater Mekong by strengthening civil society's ability to engage in natural resource governance and improving their access to, and understanding of, environmental data from public and private sources. The project will strengthen the ability of civil society organizations in the region to coordinate their activities, improve their ability to advocate for and monitor environmental policies, increase transparency and improve their use of environmental data.

2. Specific Services/Goods the Supplier will provide, including methodology and related information

The Deputy Chief of Party will support the Chief of Party in delivering USAID Mekong for the Future. The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful execution of the USAID Mekong for the Future project. This leadership position demands a comprehensive skill set to oversee multiple aspects of the project's implementation, management, and coordination. He/she will engage with partners (CSOs, NGOs and other regional organizations) to improve natural resources governance in the Greater Mekong Region.

Indicative key tasks to complete the assignments may be:

Project Leadership and Strategy:

• Collaborate closely with the Chief of Party (COP) to develop and execute the project's strategic vision and work plans.
• Provide guidance on project design, development, and execution to achieve targeted outcomes.
• Support country and thematic teams to develop concept notes for programs and activities.
• Ensure alignment between plans and implementation and USAID’s objectives and priorities.

Project Implementation:

• Plan for activities and tasks according to the annual work plan.
• Lead the development of th annual work plan of USAID Mekong for the Future.
• Execute activities and tasks in collaboration with WWF Network and other partner organizations.
• Collaborate with the Chief of Party, the Civil Society and GESI specialist, the project coordinator, the energy officer, and other team members as applicable in the logistic, operational and financial implementation of the activities.

Technical Expertise and Quality Assurance:

• Offer technical expertise in energy, water, infrastructure and governance to guide and support the project's technical components.
• Review and manage outputs and concepts and ensure adherence to USAID standards and the highest level of quality.
• Review relevant technical documentation and provide feedback
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality outputs, adhering to industry best practices and USAID standards.

Technical Leadership on Data, Transparency, and Participation:

• Lead on the regional implementation of the deliverables on“Data access and transparency”.
• Train and coach Civil Society Organizations where relevant.
• Provide strategic direction and guidance to the country teams for improving data access and transparency.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to the country teams for improving data access and transparency.
• Coordinate training and workshops and prepare or review training materials as needed
• Develop and implement data and policy analysis and reports
• Represent externally the project in data and transparency events whenever it is relevant.

Team Management and Capacity Building:

• Manage the Project Assistant, USAID Mekong for the Future. Interns, Volunteers, and Consultants, as required

• Lead, mentor, and manage project staff, fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and professional growth.
• Facilitate capacity-building efforts for project team members and partners.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E):

• Act as point of contact for the project on Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
• Liaise with USAID MEL Specialist on MEL matters
• Lead the development and amendments of the MEL plan for the activity
• Lead the implementation of the MEL plan, with the support of the project coordinator and the regional M&E specialist.
• Supervise data collection, analysis, and reporting, enabling evidence-based decision-making.
• Coordinate and oversee from the project side compliance and review processes such as the Data Quality Assessment (DQA)
• Review and assess data collected by the different teams of USAID Mekong for the Future.
• Join and support the planning of field visits to partner organizations for Monitoring and Evaluation purposes.

Communication and Outreach:

• Act as point of contact for the project on Communication and Outreach
• Develop and maintain a Communication and Outreach plan to effectively collaborate with USAID and WWF’s Regional Communication team.
• Share information on key achievements and progress to USAID and WWF as needed.
• Support the dissemination of USAID Mekong for the Future work, organizing events to raise the profile and visibility of the project.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with USAID, government counterparts, project partners, development partners, and relevant stakeholders.
• Support the Chief of Party in developing strong relations with USAID, government counterparts, project partners, development partners, and relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate with local organizations and institutions to enhance project impact and sustainability.

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Identify potential project risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure project success.
• Support the Chief of Party in managing risk and compliance and communicate with WWF Regional Management Team where appropriate.
• Ensure the project fully complies with USAID regulations and contractual obligations.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare quarterly progress reports for internal stakeholders and USAID, complying with USAID reporting guidelines.
• Prepare annual progress reports for internal stakeholders and USAID, complying with USAID reporting guidelines.
• Prepare quarterly MEL updates to select performance indicators in collaboration with the Greater Mekong Regional MEL Specialist and other team members
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation and knowledge management systems.

Support the Chief of Party and other team or organizational members as needed.

3. Required Qualifications

A. Education and Qualification

• Master’s degree in energy, international development or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

B. Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in the conservation, development or human rights sectors
• Practical operational experience in USAID-funded projects
• Experience in meeting facilitation, partnership development, stakeholder management and/or training delivery

C. Knowledge

• Knowledge of the realities of government agencies, development partners, donor institutions, and

the not-for-profit sector in the project

• Knowledge of conservation and natural resource management issues
• Proven understanding of policy/institutional context in related fields in the Mekong Region and ASEAN
• Experience in human rights and the environment is an advantage

D. Other

• Report writing, Presentation
• Adhere to WWF’s values: Knowledgeable, Optimistic, Determined and Engaging.
• Respective Competencies: WWF Focus; External Orientation; Delivery quality outcomes; Building

working relationships; communicate effectively.

• Fluent in spoken and written English

4. Working Relations

• Internal - Liaise and contact with relevant WWF US, WWF GM Country Offices, and WWF Network teams related to energy, water, and infrastructure.
• External – Interact with civil society organizations, government counterparts, international organizations, international NGOs, and development partners as needed.

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