The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit organization established in 1895 and based in New York, that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With a presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. In the Greater Mekong WCS has country programs in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam and is managed through a dispersed regional network with a hub in Bangkok.
Position Summary:
WCS seeks a Conservation Impact Technical Advisor to provide expert technical advice related to the design, implementation, and evaluation of incentive-based interventions to improve the livelihoods and development opportunities of local communities and increase the conservation impact of WCS’s programmes.
The Conservation Impact Technical Advisor is a national position, with a particular focus on supporting WCS activities in the Northern and Eastern Plains landscapes. Key components of this role will include advising on the design, implementation and testing of REDD+ benefit sharing mechanisms in both landscapes and strategies to increase the conservation impact of the IBIS Rice programme in the Northern Plains.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Increase the effectiveness of REDD+ Benefit Sharing through:
- Lead on the design of a Benefit Sharing Mechanism for the REDD+ project in the Northern Plains landscape to maximise benefits for local communities and provide transparent, equitable and effective incentives to reduce forest clearance.
- Review and update the existing KSWS REDD+ Benefit Sharing Mechanism.
- Review current engagement approaches with REDD+ communities.
- Develop, implement and test a strategy for significantly increasing participation of farmers for the IBIS Rice programme in the Northern Plains, and adapting the programme to address the changing agrarian context and patterns of household debt.
- Support the implementation and piloting of community zone investment plans in the Northern Plains.
- Develop a process by which the impact of existing activities can be tested (through existing and novel monitoring methods) in such a way that iterative improvements to the design of these activities can be made.
- Support and facilitate the design of new community-focussed interventions to address emerging threats and increase conservation impact.
- Build academic networks, conduct & facilitate research, and support Cambodian research capacity to fill information gaps that are relevant to the implementation of incentive-based conservation interventions. For example:
- Investigate potential for agro-forestry interventions in KSWS.
- Investigate dynamics of land sales and speculation as a driver of forest clearance.
- Investigate the efficacy of potential solutions to reduce hunting.
- Work with the Community and Impact Strategic Advisor to establish and liaise with a scientific advisory committee to critically evaluate and advise on implementation of the 2021 Seima Strategy.
- Assist in report and proposal writing and help identify additional potential funding opportunities to leverage external resources.
Position Requirements:
- At least five years’ experience in intervention design and/or evaluation in a relevant sector. Experience of working in Mekong region preferred.
- Experience of independently managing social research programmes.
- Ability to apply scientific insights to assess and increase the impact of behaviour change interventions.
- Demonstrate a commitment to rights-based approaches to conservation.
- Ability to produce clear and concise reports and presentations.
- Experience of publishing in high-impact scientific journals.
- Experience in training/capacity building.
- English fluency required. Competency in Khmer preferred.
Applications:
Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should apply by sending an application letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three references at the soonest possible time through the following link:
https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?partnerid=25965&siteid=5168&PageType=JobDetails&jobid=709778
WCS is an equal opportunity employer and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations.
Pre-screening will start as soon as WCS starts to receive incoming application.
Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview.
