Project Officer, RECOFTC Myanmar At The Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC)

RECOFTC is an international nonprofit organization working towards a future where resilient communities with respected rights thrive in forest landscapes that they manage sustainably and equitably. We take a long-term, landscape-based and inclusive approach in supporting local communities to secure their land and resource rights, stop deforestation, find alternative livelihoods and foster gender equality. We have more than 36 years of experience working with people and forests and have built trusting relationships with partners at all levels. As a trusted, honest broker, we occupy a distinct position as an international organization that supports, informs and brings together governments, communities, businesses, academia and civil society organizations. Our innovations, knowledge and initiatives enable countries to foster good forest governance, mitigate and adapt to climate change, and achieve the UN Global Goals.

RECOFTC operates in the Asia-Pacific region, with country program offices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam.

RECOFTC Myanmar is actively engaged in collaborative projects across the country. Our work in communities and community forestry covers land tenure security, community forest revitalization and investments, community rights, sustainable food systems, ecosystems, livelihoods, and resilience.

RECOFTC Myanmar’s latest project is ‘Change beyond supply chains, driving positive landscape transformation through inclusive business model’ or the Chain of Changes project. We are currently seeking a Project Officer for our Myanmar Office to be stationed in Nyaung Shwe township, Shan State. This position is open to external candidates who are Burmese nationals.

The selected candidate will be offered a 24-month contract from April 2024 to March 2026 with the possibility of extension, contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance. An offer of employment is subject to funding confirmation.

About the project

Chain of Changes is a three-year project supported by the Reversing Environmental Degradation in Africa and Asia (REDAA) program, which catalyzes research, innovation, and action in Africa and Asia by offering grants and technical support. It is funded by UK International Development from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and managed by International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
Implemented in Myanmar and Vietnam by RECOFTC, the project aims to drive transformation beyond supply chains and stimulate nature-positive restoration, providing livelihood options and enhancing policy effectiveness. Together with stakeholders, we will develop inclusive business models that safeguard ecosystems and benefit society based on ecosystem goods, services, and market forces. Through a research-to-action approach, stakeholders will explore degradation drivers, facilitate transparent stakeholder dialogues, and identify local solutions compliant with policies. Inclusive and sustainable business models will be explored between Indigenous Peoples, local communities and the private sector to prevent degradation and incentivize restoration in supply chain operations. Activities include capacity development such as farmer field schools, piloting sustainable production practices, training programs and a locally led monitoring system.

Tasks and duties

As a member of the RECOFTC Myanmar Office, the Project Officer will report directly to the RECOFTC Myanmar Country Director. The Project Officer will lead the implementation of project activities according to the project’s scope, focusing on implementing locally led research and business models, ensuring that the project’s expected results are effectively produced.

Specific tasks and duties:

– Coordinate on Participatory Action Research (PAR) training and collecting field information together with team members
– Support the team in analyzing PAR results and developing regenerative agriculture business models
– Facilitate due diligence, negotiations and partnership agreement with local smallholders and private sector actors
– Support the development of demonstration sites for newly developed business models
– Support the identification of farmer champions and assist in the roll-out of associated training programs
– Support the team in organizing and facilitating multistakeholder workshops
– Coordinate and arrange field and local study visits
– Assist the development of a Participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework
– Support general project coordination and management
– Prepare financial and programmatic reports
– Ensure gender equity and social inclusion are integrated into RECOFTC and Country Program communications
– Perform any other task as assigned by the Country Director

Qualifications and experience

The Project Officer should possess the following qualifications and experience:

Essential

– A bachelor’s degree (or higher) in natural resource management, forestry, agriculture or related field
– A minimum of five years working experience in community-based work
– A minimum of four years of project management experience
– Demonstrable experience in training assistance, research and implementation
– Knowledge and understanding of forest governance and agriculture in Myanmar
– Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, media and using web-based applications
– Result oriented and able to meet deadlines
– Must be a Burmese national
– Must be willing to be based in the project area

Desirable

– Knowledge and understanding of nature-positive business model development
– Experienced in facilitating meetings and networking
– Able to work independently with time management skills
– Previous field experience in Nyaung Shwe working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities
– Willingness to travel
– Knowledge of Indigenous and local languages (Pa-O in Nyaung Shwe)
– Working knowledge of English

RECOFTC’s core values

At RECOFTC, our core values are the foundation of our culture and guide all our work. In addition to job-specific skills and experience, the applicant should possess the following characteristics, attitudes and skills:

-Embrace innovation

-Adapt to and learn from challenges

-Nurture commitment, responsibility and ownership

-Collaborate with partners and stakeholders

-Commit to sustainability

-Cultivate participation, gender equity and social inclusion

-Prioritize wellbeing