WCS Program Officer (Southern Vietnam)

Calling all wildlife conservationists!! 

WCS is looking for a Program Officer! 

Are you a motivated Vietnamese person who loves wildlife and wants to help protect and restore Vietnam’s biodiversity? Do you feel that new creative approaches to conservation are desperately needed? If so then we want you to join our team! WCS has built a team of like-minded dedicated Vietnamese and international people who are committed to wildlife conservation. We are developing pioneering and innovative solutions to the massive challenge of fighting illegal hunting and wildlife trade in Vietnam and we need more people! If you think you have what it takes – keep reading...

Job Title: Program Officer (Southern Vietnam)

Reports to: Country Representative

Main  duty  station: Hanoi  with  50%  time  on  surveys/training  in  Southern  Vietnam  with  potential  for being permanently based in the south in the future 

Contract type: Full-time, 1-year renewable (permanent contract given after 3 years)

Background: 

WCS  is  addressing  illegal  and  unsustainable  hunting  and  trade  in  wildlife  through  scientific  assessments and  working  closely  with  partners  in  applying  practical  solutions  on  the  ground.  Through  in?depth knowledge  and  sensitivity  to  complex  issues,  we  propose  solutions  that  address  the  symptoms  and underlying  causes  of  the  intense  increase  in  hunting  and  wildlife  trade  while  also  supporting  the livelihoods  of  rural  communities.  In  the  Southern  Vietnam  we  are  working  in  a  number  of  provinces, working with partners to protect forests and wildlife in the western slopes of the Annamites (Binh Phuoc and Dak Nong) and strengthening enforcement of wildlife crimes along the trade chain from these habitats to  Ho  Chi  Minh  City.  We  are  pioneering  new  wildlife  crime  monitoring  systems,  supporting  local  civil society development, building capacity of law enforcement agencies and importantly, growing support for wildlife conservation of the provincial leaders. 

Scope of work: 

The  Program  Officer  will  provide  technical  inputs  to  WCS  work  in  Southern  Vietnam.  This  will  include assessments  of  the  wildlife  trade  and  wildlife  populations,  development  of  activities  and  resources  to improve enforcement of  national laws and international treaties, building relationships with government agencies. 

Specific activities 
• Carry  out  field  and  desk  research  into  the  dynamics  of  wildlife  trade  in  Vietnam  and  provide  high quality written technical reports in English and Vietnamese
• Assist in the development and delivery of wildlife crime law enforcement training exercises
• Carry out reviews of wildlife crime law enforcement effectiveness and strategies and provide realistic and practical recommendations for improvements
• Development of resources to improve the monitoring and enforcement of wildlife trade
• Provision of interpretation and written translation to support program activities
• Assistance to logistical, administration and other technical aspects of the program as required

Desired qualifications: 

Above all else, this position is for a Vietnamese national with a passion and dedication for wildlife conservation. In addition, candidates with the following competencies are preferred: 
• University degree in a related field 
• Good English and Vietnamese language skills 
• At least 2 years of work experience in a similar position with an international organization or NGO. 
• Work experience in the environment/development sector or law enforcement agency
• Knowledge on illegal trafficking of wildlife or other black market commodities (e.g. humans, narcotics, weapons)
• Experience in financial/staff management, fundraising and donor reporting
• Ability and experience with relevant government agencies, donors and other partners
• Advanced computer skills (e.g. Statistics programs, GIS)

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV, and contact details for two references to: 
Miss Pham Thi Minh
Wildlife Conservation Society- Vietnam Program 
1302, Thanh Cong tower, 57 Lang Ha, Ba Dinh, Hanoi 
Tel/Fax: +84 (0) 4 3514 9750/16? Ext 10
Email: [email protected]

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Application Deadline: 5th October 2012