I. Background:
For over 50 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. As the world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works across 100 countries and is supported by close to 5 million members globally. WWF’s unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at all levels locally to globally, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature. WWF has been working in Thailand since 1983 and established a country office in 1995. Our work in Thailand includes wildlife, fisheries, forest, and landscape conservation, as well as efforts to reduce marine plastics.
The Technical Advisor will play a critical role in supporting the Senior Program Manager in the implementation of the Forest Forward forest and wildlife conservation program across three vital biodiversity hotspots: the Mae Ping-Om Koi Forest Complex, the Khao Yai-Tap Lan Forest Complex, and the Lower Songkhram Floodplain River Basin. This initiative aims to restore forest landscapes, designate protected areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), influence forest policy, and address human-wildlife conflict.
This position requires advanced expertise in forest landscape restoration, community-based natural resources management, strategic program planning, stakeholder collaboration, and adaptive management to ensure measurable improvements in forest cover and wildlife habitats. Additionally, the role emphasizes integrating conservation outcomes with the sustainable development and livelihood needs of local communities
II. Major Functions:
The Technical Advisor will provide technical advice the Senior Program Manager and Forest Forward Program Managers and Project Officers in overseeing overall program management to achieve the program’s goals and targets, with a focus on ensuring that all conservation activities are conducted in a scientifically and operationally sound manner that complies with project agreements, WWF’s contractual obligations, and donor requirements.
III. Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Advise and Support the Senior Program Manager and Forest Forward Program Managers in the design, execution, and adaptive management of the program across designated forest landscapes and key freshwater river basins through developing, managing, and monitoring conservation activities across three or more project sites to ensure consistency and alignment with program goals.
- Ensure that conservation interventions result in significant and scientifically measurable increases in forest quality or quantity and wildlife habitat restoration.
- Represent the organization in forest and wildlife forums, policy discussions, and public engagements to advocate for conservation priorities.
- Advise Project Managers on forest and wildlife habitat conservation methodologies, including ecological restoration, biodiversity monitoring, habitat connectivity and community-based natural resources management.
- Oversee robust data collection, statistical analysis, and scientific reporting to inform evidence-based decision-making and demonstrate conservation outcomes.
- Develop and disseminate comprehensive reports, and other communication materials to highlight program achievements and challenges.
- In collaboration with the Senior Program Manager, communicate program progress and impacts to donors, partners, and the WWF network.
- Support Program Managers in reporting on activities according to donor requirements and M&E plans;
- Support Program Managers to ensure program compliance with all WWF safeguards requirements (risk/quality assurance/ESSF)
- Support other work as required.
IV. Profile
Required Qualifications:
- Advance degree in conservation biology, forest management, restoration, or ecology, environmental science,
- 5 years of research and/or project management of complex forest conservation projects involving multi-stakeholders; connectivity conservation experience highly desirable.
- Understanding of forest ecosystem characteristics, threats, socio-economic contexts, and conservation opportunities in Thailand, if possible including familiarity with forest and wildlife policy and management approaches used by the Royal Forest Department and Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation.
- Strong understanding of land conservation processes that support community participation and empowerment.
- Demonstrated success in managing interdisciplinary teams and complex conservation projects.
- Advanced program management skills, including proficiency in strategic planning and impact monitoring.
V. Working Relationships:
Internal: WWF-Thailand Conservation, Finance, and Communications staff, as well as WWF Greater Mekong specialists and WWF-Network donor offices (WWF European and other national offices).
External: Office of National Environment Policy, Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, Royal Forest Department, Department of Fisheries, and other agency senior leadership, provincial and military representatives, individual protected area managers and wildlife researchers, as well as academic, CSO, and INGO partners.
This JD covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.
