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Frankfurt Zoological Society Vacancy: Community Development / Agro - Forestry Expert, Jambi

Bukit Tigapuluh Landscape Conservation Programme

Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS)
Frankfurt Zoological Society’s goal is to work with and for people to secure biodiversity in key ecosystems worldwide. FZS runs a long-term conservation programme in Jambi’s Bukit Tigapuluh Landscape (Sumatra) 

BLCP is a 5-year project starting in 2014 to establish an ecosystem restoration concession (ERC) with the goal to protect natural forest coverage in order to secure high levels of biodiversity and the integrity of the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem including livelihoods of indigenous tribes. The programme will manage former forest concessions in close co-operation with local commu ities. Sustainable agro-forestry will be promoted to reduce ongoing deforestation and as a means of re-forestation and forest restoration. Local communities and their livelihood will be in the center of the BLCP activities. The programme is executed in co-operation with WWF Indonesia and supported by the German Government and KfW Development Bank. For more information on the Society and our projects, please visit our website at www.fzs.org

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT / AGRO-FORESTRY EXPERT

Job Summary:
The successfull candidate will be an experienced agro forestry manager with strong skills in conceptual and strategic thingking as well as prooven hands on experiences in agro foresty practices in cooperation with local communities.

The Community Development / Agro-Forestry Expert will report directly to the Project Management Unit Manager and to the FZS Indonesia Programme Director. S/he will closely co-ordinate with other programme staff. 

Location: BLCP base camp and field office, Jambi province, Sumatra

Responsibilities
  • Contributes to the achievement of targets and activities related to forest ecosystem restoration and establishment of agro-forestry systems
  • Provides advice and input to, and to cooperate with, a broad range of target groups
  • Works closely with both governmental and non-governmental organizations in innovative capacity development processes in line with the forest administration reform and Climate Change/REDD 
  • Communicates, coordinates and cooperates constantly and harmoniously with the experts of FZS/WWF respectively Burung Indonesia
  • Undertakes frequent visits to all selected villages and community groups to ensure that activities are proceeding as planned
Managerial tasks
  • Works closely with local NGOs, private sector and other strategic partners in developing socio-economic conditions that are favourable for the creation of sustainable natural resource management systems at enterprise and community level
  • Assists community groups’ representatives in obtaining services and subsidies from governmental rural development and forestry programs
  • Assists in identifying needs for capacity building, facilitates and supports the strengthening of capacities at district and village levels to implement activities conducive to ERC management
  • Designs, prepares, coordinates and conducts awareness campaigns at the village and district level
  • Designs, prepares and conducts workshops, training activities, seminars, etc.
  • Supervises the execution of the restoration and reforestation activities
  • Develops and maintains a monitoring and documentation system covering survivals, growth development, biodiversity development, etc.
Professional tasks
  • Forms alliances between persons and organizations in the public and private sector that support sustainable natural resource management
  • Supports, coordinates and supervises the work of the supporting service providers/counterparts/partners
  • Trains the staff of stakeholders in approaches and methods of participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation of local level initiatives for sustainable natural resources management
  • Supports and initiates mediation/arbitration processes 
  • Trains community organizers in acquiring skills and knowledge to manage community based organizations and to establish local networks
Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) / Agro-Forestry
  • Cooperates with agencies in the selected districts to ensure the improvement of CBFM development
  • Conducts awareness campaigns among communities      
  • Supports participatory Agro-Forestry planning processes involving local communities 
  • Assists communities on CBFM development and implementation in pilot areas
  • Prepares and conducts workshops, training activities, seminars, etc. related to CBFM in the selected districts
  • Develops networks with local governments, NGOs and other stakeholders to support CBFM advocacy
  • Advises and supervises the selection of suitable seed sources and sources for forest reproductive material
  • Supervises field projects to ensure activities are proceeding as planned
Knowledge management
  • Compiles relevant information and ensures knowledge transfer
  • Develops ready-to-use strategies and technical concepts, including guidelines, manuals and procedures
  • Draws up reports and presentation documents
  • Assists with research activities and studies on ER issues
Required qualifications, competences and experience
  • University degree (B.Sc., M.Sc.) in forestry / agro-forestry or related field
  • minimum 10 years’ working experience at the community level, with at least 5 years’ professional experience in a comparable position
  • Good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software, phone, fax, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office)
  • Strong managerial and organisational competence
  • Willingness to take residence in the ERC area
  • Good knowledge of the English language
How to apply :
To apply, email a CV and covering letter by the 10 February 2014. Please put ‘ComDev-Agro-forestry Manager’ in the subject line of your email. 

In your covering letter, please describe what you see as the most important skill and personal competency that you would bring to this post. Please indicate when you would be available to start and your current salary level and expectations.

Only short-listed applicants will be notified.