The InternationalCentre for Research in Agroforestry – Viet Nam Office

Recruitment of Project Officersand Project field Coordinators

About our organization

The International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF, also known as the World Agroforestry) is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role which trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 34 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

To learn more about our organization, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org

The Projects

“Restoring Land and Livelihoods in Vietnam” (RESTORE) is a 5-year program to be implemented from 2024 to 2029 with SNV Viet Nam as the Lead Implementing Organisation and ICRAF as the implementing partner. RESTORE is an initiative by the Global Evergreening Alliance, which received financial support for this project from a multinational corporation.The project aims to deliver sustainable and resilient livelihoods for local communities, improved biodiversity conservation, and restored ecosystem health in the target landscapes. It will do this by the promotion of agroforestry, forest products and fruit tree value chains. By planting over 16 million trees, the project aims to restore over 25,000 hectares of agricultural and forest land and bring livelihoods benefits to over 20,000 farming households. RESTORE focusses on two key climate-vulnerable landscapes in Viet Nam – the Central Highlands and Northwestern Region.

The Project is currently undertaking an Inception Phase in order to assess feasibility and produce a detailed design for the project. ICRAF is tasked to undertake the "Assessments of landscape-level biophysical and land suitability, site selection and updated species list and intervention types and development of farmer selection criteria in Northwest and Central Highlands of Vietnam".

The Positions

ICRAF Viet Nam country office is seeking dynamic and motivated individuals to join the team in the position of Project Field Coordinators (two positions) and Project Officers (two positions) for RESTORE project. The positions are based in Lam Dong and Son La provinces, working closely with Provincial Govermental partners and local people with the job discription as below.

1. Projectofficers(two positions: one based in Son La, one based in Lam Dong)

The post holder works under the direct supervision of Project Field Coordinator and is expected to perform following tasks and responsibilities

1. Contribute to the preliminary analysis (desk review) of potential project sites in Lam Dong/ Son La province based on criteria such as ecological importance, biodiversity, soil health, water availability, proximity to human settlements, and existing land use
2. Support the mapping of stakeholders including local communities, local peoples, landowners, government agencies, NGOs, and other relevant actors in the project site
3. Facilitate discussions in meetings with local communities and stakeholders to understand their needs, priorities, and concerns related to land use and restoration through the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process led by SNV.
4. Undertake data cleaning, tabulation, management and analysis
5. Prepare a report documenting the process for selecting project sites (communes) and the rationale for those sites, including description of agents and drivers of deforestation and forest degradation where relevant;
6. Take high quality photos of the areas to be restored, and GPS coordinates of the project sites;
7. Support the provincial coordinator in field surveys
8. Undertake other tasks as relevant

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Quality research data collected and systematically managed.
• Timely and quality field notes/reports produced to submit to supervisor.
• Meetings, trainings and workshops facilitated with high quality.
• ICRAF rules and regulations, particularly those on financial procedures, consistently applied.
• Effective relationships with local project partners built and maintained.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Knowledge and Experience:

Minimum Academic and Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in agriculture, forestry, economics, social science, or related field.

Minimum Work Experience:

• At least four years of relevant experience, preferably related to natural resource management and/or rural development, with not-for-profit organizations and government institutions.
• Computer literate (on Window-based systems including Excel and Word) and database design/management/analysis.
• Experience in FPIC is a major plus
• Demonstrated experience with smallholder farmers, work experience in Lam Dong or Son La is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with gender-work in the field.

Skills and competencies

• Pro-active and independent way of working
• Strongly outcome-oriented
• Well organized; able to meet deadlines.
• Good command of English, showing ability to communicate well in spoken and written form in both Vietnamese and English
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work well in multi-cultural teams.
• Computer literacy including data management, ODK-programming skills a bonus.
• Good understanding of time management and able to work under pressure.
• Good facilitation skill.
• Willingness to spend time in the project site.
• High interest in receiving feedback from others.
• Open to receiving feedbacks from others

Terms of offer

• Initial five - month contract with a competitive salary package, contingent on donor funding, with the option of extension based on performance and budget availability.
• The contract is subject to 01 (one) month probation period, assessment of performance and availability of resources

2. Project Field Coordinators(two positions: one based in Son La, one based in Lam Dong)

The post holder works under direct supervision of Project Manager and is expected to perform following tasks and responsibilities

• Undertake the preliminary analysis (desk review) of potential project sites in Lam Dong/ Son La province based on criteria such as ecological importance, biodiversity, soil health, water availability, proximity to human settlements, and existing land use
• Identify and map stakeholders including local communities, local peoples, landowners, government agencies, NGOs, and other relevant actors in the project site
• Undertake meetings with local communities and stakeholders to understand their needs, priorities, and concerns related to land use and restoration.
• Support CIFOR-ICRAF Viet Nam country coordinator to undertake the assessment of land rights and land tenure systems in the project area. Verify land ownership, land use rights, carbon right and any existing land-related conflicts or disputes
• Coordinate the consultant teams to undertake a comprehensive ecological assessment of the site to understand its current condition, including ecosystem services, habitat quality, biodiversity, soil health, water resources, and potential threats such as invasive species or degradation.
• Evaluate the socioeconomic aspects of the project site, including livelihoods of local communities, cultural heritage, economic activities, and social dynamics. Identify opportunities for community participation and capacity building.
• Together with the project manager, identify potential risks and challenges in the proposed project areas, such as conflicts with existing land uses, availability of land, land tenure arrangement, resistance from local communities, regulatory hurdles, funding constraints, or environmental risks. Develop strategies to mitigate these risks.
• Coordinate the field survey team(s) to conduct landscape-level biophysical and land suitability assessments
• Undertake the assessment of seedling production capacity in and around Lam Dong/ Son La province
• Prepare field reports and contribute to the preparation of project reports

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Quality research data collected and systematically managed.
• Timely and quality field notes/reports produced to submit to supervisor.
• Meetings, trainings and workshops facilitated with high quality.
• ICRAF rules and regulations, particularly those on financial procedures, consistently applied.
• Effective relationships with local project partners built and maintained.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Knowledge and Experience

Minimum Academic and Professional Qualifications:

• Master degree in agriculture, forestry, economics, social science, or related field.
• Publication record will be a major plus.

Minimum Work Experience:

• At least five years of relevant experience after the Master study, preferably related to natural resource management and/or rural development, with not-for-profit organizations and government institutions.
• Computer literate (on Window-based systems including Excel and Word) and database design/management/analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in survey design, data collection and management.
• Experience in project M&E
• Demonstrated experience with smallholder farmers, work experience in Lam Dong or Son La is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with gender-work in the field.

Skills and competencies

• Pro-active and independent way of working
• Strongly outcome-oriented
• Well organized; able to meet deadlines.
• Good command of English, showing ability to communicate well in spoken and written form in both Vietnamese and English
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work well in multi-cultural teams.
• Computer literacy including data management, ODK-programming skills a bonus.
• Good understanding of time management and able to work under pressure.
• Good facilitation skill.
• Willingness to spend time in the project site.
• High interest in receiving feedback from others.
• Open to receiving feedbacks from others

Terms of offer

• Initial six-month contract with a competitive salary package, contingent on donor funding, with the option of extension based on performance and budget availability
• The contract is subject to 01 (one) month probation period, assessment of performance and availability of resources

3. How to  apply

Applications for the position must include:

• A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements
• A detailed curriculum vitae.
• The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, and email address

All correspondence should be addressed to the World Agroforestry (ICRAF) Office Hanoi, at the 13th floor, HCMCC building, 249A Thuy Khue street, Tay Ho district, Hanoi, Vietnam OR via email:  [email protected]. Applicants should indicate “Application – Name of position  at name of province based” on their application letters and email submissions.

Applications will be considered until 9th June 2024. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

ICRAF believes that staff diversity promotes excellence, and strongly encourages local-based candidates to apply.  We invite you to learn more about ICRAF at our web site:

www.worldagroforestry.org/regions/southeast_asia/vietnam

Organization: ICRAF
Location: Hanoi
Application deadline: 2024-06-09
Send application to: [email protected]