The Law Enforcement Lead, End Wildlife Crime, RECOFTC Main office At The Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC)

Deadline for application: 17 February 2024

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 has 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 organisations. 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 is currently seeking a Law Enforcement Lead for the End Wildlife Crime initiative. The selected candidate will be based in the RECOFTC Main Office in Bangkok, Thailand and will be offered a 24-month contract with the possibility of extension, contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance. An offer of employment is subject to funding confirmation.

About the project

End Wildlife Crime is a five-year activity that builds upon the successes of prior USAID/RDMA CWT activities, notably the USAID Wildlife Asia Activity and the USAID Reducing Demand for Wildlife Activity. To combat the ongoing demand for wildlife parts and products, the EWC activity will build and expand upon this work by taking a whole of society approach. The activity will encourage all people, including young people, women, Indigenous communities, faith-based groups and environmental organizations, to join efforts in protecting wildlife and expands the role of civil society to become active participants in the fight against illegal wildlife trade.

Tasks and Duties

The Law Enforcement Lead is a member of RECOFTC’s Program Coordination and Technical Services (PCTS) Unit and reports directly to the Unit Director and the Project’s Chief of Party. The Law Enforcement Lead’s specific tasks and duties include:

• Reporting to the Chief of Party (COP) and serving as a member of the activity’s Core Management Team for project activities.
• Providing technical leadership for Objective 2, focused on coordinating technical activities that support law enforcement capacity-building efforts and strengthen the cohesion of relevant governing bodies to act strategically and cohesively on combating wildlife trafficking (CWT) efforts.
• Collaborating closely with the Objective 3 Senior Training and Capacity Building Specialist to identify training needs and improve knowledge management, ensuring the sustainability of training programs across all regional law enforcement bodies.
• Coordinating appropriate training programs for government and non-government officials, including policymakers, legislators, customs, law enforcement agents, prosecutors, the judiciary, and private sector players in CWT law enforcement issues.
• Working with consortia partners to identify strategic opportunities for network building to further sustain and institutionalize regional law enforcement efforts for CWT.
• Organizing law enforcement-related discussion forums and focus group discussions with national and regional stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and donors through various avenues, such as ASEAN ministerial and working group meetings and partnerships with other international and regional organizations.
• Leading engagement in strategic national, regional, and global CWT-related law enforcement dialogues.
• Performing any specific duty assigned by the RECOFTC Program Coordination and Technical Services Unit Director and the Project’s Chief of Party.

Qualifications and Experience:

The Law Enforcement Lead should have the following essential qualifications and experience:

Essential

• A Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of experience, or a Master’s degree with 10 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience and legal knowledge of combating wildlife trafficking and other wildlife crimes or a similar relevant sector (e.g., anti-trafficking in persons), including strengthening of the criminal justice sector to deter criminality. Knowledge and experience in Southeast Asia are preferred.
• Understanding of approaches to reduce illegal trade of wildlife at national, regional, or international scales.
• Experience in facilitating and supporting communications to decision-makers and disseminating information to users at different scales (e.g., policymakers, various law enforcement bodies, judiciary).
• Demonstrated management experience and excellent oral and written communication skills in 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
• Committed to sustainability
• Cultivate participation, gender equality and social inclusion
• Prioritize wellbeing