Myanmar: Sustainable Rubber Project Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position title: Sustainable Rubber Project Manager, WWF-Myanmar
Directly reports to: Sustainable Business Programme Manager, WWF Myanmar, with technical reporting to DTL Landscape Manager
Supervises: Sustainable Agoforestry officer(s), WWF Myanmar
Validity: 1 Year (with possible extension)
Location: Dawei, Myanmar, with regular national and regional travel

Background

WWF Myanmar was established in 2013 and is working to conserve the country’s biodiversity and build a sustainable future for people and wildlife. The focus is on promoting green economy within national policies, and sustaining and protecting biodiversity and ecological connectivity of the transboundary Dawna Tenasserim Landscape (DTL) through an integrated landscape approach, and the Ayeyarwady river basin through an integrated river basin approach. Find out more at www.panda.org/greatermekong.

Rubber production is one of the leading drivers of deforestation and biodiversity loss in South East Asia, where over 90% of the world’s rubber is grown. In Myanmar, rubber has expandad exponentially over the last 10 years and many critical habitats in DTL are at great risk of being converted to rubber plantations.

Globally, the rubber market has started to transform with some leading tire and automobile companies demanding sustainable rubber from their suppliers. While this is positive movement, a “sustainable rubber project” that demonstrates environmental, social and economic benefits of producing rubber sustainably needs to be implemented and set as an example for other regions and countries to follow.
This is the first project of its kind and offers a unique opportunity to transform the market in a positive way that creates on the ground conservation impact.

Major ResponsibilitiesProject Management: Responsible for the delivery of sustainable rubber project and contribute to WWF Myanmar’s conservation targets on forests and wildlife. The key responsibilities include:

1. Understanding the livelihoods and rubber dynamics among smallholders, processors and traders
2. Understanding the value proposition and building solid relations with key stakeholders at the beginning of the project. The stakeholders include, but not limited to, government, association, communities, CSOs, processors, traders, international companies, regional associations and impact funds
3. Developing and implementing an annual work plan,budget plan and timelines based on the deliverables of the project. The activities include coodinating trainings, study visits, consultations and workshops, mapping and monitoring, surveys and assessments.
4. Managing overall project and budget in compliance with WWF standards
5. Developing and implementing a monitoring system for the project by coordinating with GIS team in WWF Myanmar and other WWF offices
6. Covening semi-annual project steering group meeting and provide update on the progress of the project
7. Directly liaising with the donor of the project for reporting and monitoring. Project Manager will be expect to represent WWF Myanmar and speak at national and international conferences and workshops
8. Working with WWF Network to raise funds in case of relevant new opportunities or funding shortfall

Provide inputs to other programmes: Working closely with DTL Landscape Manager, Forest Manager, Conservation Biologist, and others to support the delivery of WWF Myanmar’s DTL landscape strategy. Support the development of a stakeholder-led landscape vision for the DTL.

Develop Sustainable Rubber team: Based on the proposed team structure and annual workplan of sustainable rubber project, recruit additional team members and build their capacity for the team to be able to deliver the targets. Develop and deliver capacity building programme for the sustainable rubber team.

Partnerships, networks, communications and advocacy:

1. Develop new partnerships and network: Build partnership and trusted relations with key stakeholders in private sector, government and civil societies
2. Donor relations and reporting: Responsible for ensuring healthy relations and frequenct communication with donors
3. Communication: with the support of the communication team, responsible for the communication of work on sustainable rubber

Thought Leadership:

1. Contribute to WWF global team’s efforts in transforming international rubber market towards sustainability
2. Represent WWF’s rubber work in external and internal events, workshops and conferences

II. Working Relationships

Internal
Interact on a regular basis with a) DTL Landscape Manager, Communications team, GIS and Spatial Planning team, Conservation Director; b) WWF network offices to report on the progress of the project, seek strategic support and explore funding pipelines c) WWF GMPO regional office to update on the progress of rubber project and to seek synergies through joint workshops, visits and studies

External
Interact with relevant stakeholders including MoALI, private companies, MRPPA, TRPPA, KNU, NGOs, partners, external consultants and government agencies

III. Requirements

Education and Qualification

1. Bachelor and/or Master degree in agriculture, agroforestry, agribusiness, agricultural economics, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, or related field
2. Understanding of rubber production and rubber supply chain is desirable but not an essential requirement

Experience

1. 5 years of practical experience in agriculture, forestry, agroforestry, agri-business, sustainable agriculture, conservation agriculture, or related field
2. Proven experience of managing multi-donor projects over USD 1 million USD
3. Experience of working and negotiating with project partners at all levels, and working with key national and international institutions e.g. ministries, private sector, associations and communities
4. Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and evaluating action plans
5. Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Myanmar language is desirable
6. Experience of working in Myanmar or SE Asia

General Skill

• People management, coaching and capacity building/development
• Presentation and communications
• Planning and organisation
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Financial management
• Strategic thinking, decision making Report writing
• Problem solving and management of conflict, risk, and crisis
• Monitoring and evaluation

IV. WWF's Mission and Values

It is part of every staff member's terms of reference to contribute to WWF's mission: WWF’s Mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:

• conserving the world's biological diversity
• ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
• reducing pollution and wasteful consumption.

It is also part of every staff member's terms of reference to embody WWF's values, which are Engaging, Optimistic, Determined and Knowledgeable.

Interested candidates should email vacancy.mm@wwfgreatermekong.org or send a hard copy cover letter and curriculum vitae in English to 15C, Than Taman Street, Dagon Township Yangon, stating the applied position title.

Email application documents should be addressed as Document_Yourfullname. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.