ThaiNGO

Vacancy Announcement
 

Project Administrative Officer

Strengthening NSAs’ voices for improved forest governance in the Mekong region

EuropeAid/150699/DH/ACT/Multi
 

Application Deadline:   29^th January 2017

RECOFTC – The Center for People and Forests holds a unique and important place in the world of forestry. It is the only international not‐for‐profit organization that specializes in capacity development for community forestry and devolved forest management. RECOFTC engages in strategic networks and effective partnerships with governments, nongovernment organizations, civil society, the private sector, local people, and research and educational institutes throughout the Asia‐Pacific region and beyond. With over 30 years of international experience and a dynamic approach to capacity development—involving research, analysis and synthesis; strategic communication; training and learning networks; and piloting and demonstrating—RECOFTC delivers innovative solutions for people and forests.

RECOFTC is now seeking a Project Administrative Officer, Strengthening NSA’s voices for improved forest governance in the Mekong region, under Program Coordination and Operations (PROCO) Unit. The successful candidate will be based at RECOFTC headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. The contract period will be 24 months with a possibility of extension. Formal appointment is subject to the approval of funds.

Background

The Mekong region’s forested landscapes are experiencing some of the highest rates of deforestation and degradation in the world with significant impacts on resident wildlife, hydrological and ecological functions and local communities - especially Indigenous Peoples (IPs) that live in and rely on these landscapes. The direct and indirect drivers of forest loss and degradation include population growth, uncoordinated land-use planning, weak governance, increasing market demand and policies that prioritize short-term gains over sustainability. As both Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) implementation make progress on the ground there is an increasing acknowledgement from countries for the need for open, transparent, responsive systems and processes and the ability of civil society and other stakeholders to effectively engage in these processes with enhanced capacities.

With support from EuropeAid/150699/DH/ACT/Multi, RECOFTC will work closely with WWF and national partners in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam to support better and more effective participation of State and Non-State Actors (NSA) in FLEGT and REDD+ processes.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Administrative Officer will be responsible for the overall administrative works of the project which include providing administrative support for budget planning and monitoring, partner organizations’ contract administration, communications and information management activities defined by the project plan in according to RECOFTC’s policies and procedures. S/he will report directly to the Project Coordinator and work closely with Assistant Project Officer under the overall supervision from Project Coordinator, Strengthening NSAs’ voices for improved forest governance in the Mekong region.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The Project Administrative Officer will provide administrative support to project development, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, and management of resources. More specific duties are as follows:

• Responsible for annual budget planning, monitoring, and procurement of goods and services under the project.
• Assist the Project Coordinator, RECOFTC program staff, project partners and consultants in administrative arrangements for the implementation of project activities, including related logistic arrangement.
• Process all payments and maintain all financial records under compliance with donor guidelines and as per RECOFTC financial management system
• Assist in finalizing, arranging and monitoring of contracts with donors, partners, project staff, and consultants.
• Work with Country Program Offices’ Accounts and Administrative Officers in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam in completing accounts and administrative matters as per the project plans.
• Maintain regular contact and communication with project partners in order to support them on administrative and financial matters of the project.
• Maintain information databases of relevant consultants and partners working with the project on RECOFTC’s intranet.
• Design, manage, and maintain electronic and paper filing systems of the project.
• Provide other administrative and secretarial support, including taking minutes of project related meetings and following up on delegated tasks with the Project Coordinator.
• Monitor and follow up correspondence (internally and externally) related with the project implementation and management.
• Assist Project Coordinator and RECOFTC staff in coordinating and communicating with other units and country teams within RECOFTC.
• Perform any other tasks that may be assigned by the Project Coordinator.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The Project Administrative Officer will have the following essential and desirable qualifications and experience:

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Management, Social Sciences or
• 5 years’ experience in administration role, with financial management and monitoring
• Experience in working with international non-profit organizations.
• Ability to prioritize, plan and organize work with minimum supervision.
• Strong computer literacy, particularly with programs in Microsoft Office.
• Excellent Thai language skills and fluency in verbal and written English.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and cross-cultural environments
• Good personal skills, self-motivation and good team player qualities

Desirable:

• Experience in contracting and administering consultants (such as obtaining visas, making
  travel arrangements, processing invoices).   
• Experience in project and/or program administration and information management.
• Knowledge of SAP System.
• Experience of working with diverse donors and being familiar with their procedures and
  requirements related to financial reporting and monitoring.
• Understand broad concepts of community forestry/natural resource management.

General:

In addition to job specific skills and experience, the applicant should possess the following characteristics (including attitudes and skills):

• Interpersonal communication skills, individually and in‐groups, with an ability to work as an
  active member of teams. This implies flexibility and open‐mindedness;
• Hands‐on experience and able to work independently with minimum supervision;
• Initiative and ability to make informed independent

Interested candidates are requested to submit their CV and a cover letter indicating salary requirements and current contact details of three referees, including recent supervisors, to HR@recoftc.org. Please quote the position title in the subject line the position title as Project Administrative Officer, EUNSA. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. RECOFTC has a competitive compensation package. However, offers shall be based on salary history, relevant experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.

To learn more about RECOFTC, please visit our website www.recoftc.org

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.  RECOFTC is an equal opportunity employer and the successful candidate will be selected based on merit.

Note: RECOFTC retains the right to offer the position at a certain grade dependent on qualifications and experience required by the position.