Project Officer, Promoting sustainable forest management strategies in community forestry, Phase 2 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 to supporting local communities to secure their land and resource rights, stop deforestation, find alternative livelihoods and foster gender equality. We have more than 37 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.

In Cambodia, RECOFTC is supporting community forestry (CF), community protected area (CPA), and community fisheries (CFi) development. Our activities, implemented from the national to community levels, contribute to supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation, promoting gender equality and social inclusion, improving governance and respect for rights, and increasing economic benefit for CF, CPA and CFi. Currently, RECOFTC Cambodia implements project activities in eight provinces – Kampong Thom, Preah Vihear, Kratie, Stung Treng, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang and Siem Reap.

RECOFTC Cambodia is currently seeking a Project Officer for Phase 2 of the ‘Promoting sustainable forest management strategies in community forestry’ project, funded by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and implemented by RECOFTC Cambodia. This position is open to Cambodian nationals.

The position is based in Pursat province. The selected candidate will be offered a 12-month contract, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and project funding. An offer of employment is subject to funding confirmation of the project by USFS.

Project background

From September 2022 to September 2023, RECOFTC implemented the project, ‘Promoting sustainable forest management strategies in community forest’ (SFM-CF) in four community forests in Pursat province. Over the period, the project achieved significant results on reforestation work in community forests. It supported training of CF members, establishment of household nurseries, production of seedlings and the planting of seedlings in community forests. Building on this success, RECOFTC will implement Phase 2 of the project (SFM-CF2), focusing on advancing and replicating the results from Phase 1. These will include strengthening and advancing household nurseries, mother tree protection and management, and seed collection and storage. The SFM-CF2 will be implemented in Pursat province from August 2024 to September 2025.

Specific tasks and duties

The Project Officer will be a member of the RECOFTC Cambodia team and work under the direct supervision of the Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator and the overall guidance of the Country Director, RECOFTC Cambodia. The Project Officer is responsible for day-to-day implementation of activities for the project.

Specific tasks and duties include:

• Prepare a detailed activities plan for the project based on the project proposal
• Take the lead in identifying and selecting target community forests to implement sustainable forest management activities in Pursat province
• Consult with community stakeholders and local authorities to assess their interest and willingness to participate in the project
• Facilitate situation assessments of forest conditions in each target community forest and accordingly determine appropriate techniques for improving forest conditions in each community forest
• Support selected community forests in seed sourcing to ensure supply for tree planting
• Support communities and stakeholders in selected community forests to implement silviculture techniques
• Assist in the design of appropriate sustainable forest management techniques and options for specific sites such as enrichment planting and nursery establishment, and silviculture techniques such as pruning and thinning
• With support from the RECOFTC Cambodia team, lead the development of training materials on sustainability forest management such as pruning, thinning, tree planting, nursery development and fire break construction
• Build networks and share project lessons and experiences with stakeholders in Pursat and at the national level
• Prepare budget requests for the implementation of field activities and perform expenditure checks and clearance
• Prepare quarterly and final reports of project activities
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation activities of the project and the RECOFTC program
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator and the Country Director, Cambodia Office

Qualifications and experience

The Project Officer should have the following qualifications and experience:

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, fisheries, natural resource management or related field with specialization in environmental and/or rural development
• Minimum three years of working experience in community-based natural resource management
• Ability to communicate and maintain harmonious relationships with government agencies, local authorities and communities
• Experience in planning, budgeting, implementing, monitoring, reporting, coordinating, networking and facilitating, including development of training and extension materials
• Experience in adult learning, training, facilitating and applying participatory tools and methodologies in working with rural communities
• Possess leadership abilities, able to take on and solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
• Good written and spoken Khmer and English. Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner
• Proficient use of software such as MS Office tools Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Willingness to travel regularly within the province, including overnight stays in villages, and occasionally to other provinces and Phnom Penh
• Must be a Cambodian national

Desirable

• Experience in forestry, fisheries and protected area legislation and regulations in Cambodia
• Knowledge and practical experience in implementing community-based fire management and community reforestation and tree planting
• Knowledge and experience in mapping using Global Positioning System and Geographic Information Systems
• Experience working with rural communities in partnership with the Forestry Administration, nongovernmental organizations and local authorities

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 equality and social inclusion
• Prioritize well-being