Community Liaison Consultant (WWF)

Background:

WWF is conducting a 3 years project funded by UNDP-GEF and DANIDA“ Coastal & marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the Con Dao islands region”. The project aims to strengthen local capacity for coastal & marine biodiversity conservation, improve the integration of conservation and environmental management into development planning, establish a sustainable financing mechanism for biodiversity conservation, and link  local efforts to national strategies and policy development, thus contributing to the conservation of globally significant coastal and marine biodiversity..

Job description:

The scope of work involves:

• Research and development on market linkages for local AIG business projects (sustainable agriculture and marine tourism-based transportation)
• Establishing personal relationships and business links between the AIG beneficiaries and private business
• Organizing and/or participating in relevant meetings with above groups and other agencies,  such as District and Provincial government, to provide updates to - and receive feedback from – key stakeholders, on matters related to the livelihood programme
• Assist WWF and PMU inputs with the CCG and CDNP related to local governance  improvement, particularly the formation of stakeholder community-based organization(s)  (CBO) that are representative of the target groups under the livelihood support programme and which will effectively liaise with MPA managers, CCG and District officials
• Work with recipient community in establishing partnerships with private business that promote and facilitate AIG projects and other livelihood support activities
• Assist WWF and PMU with inputs to assist CCG/CBOs and recipient community in improving and/or completing a Monitoring and Evaluation system for AlG projects proposed in the livelihood programme
• Stimulate awareness of public and local authorities on the needs of community and institutional supports to facilitate livelihood development and fisheries management, in order to ensure appropriate service delivery and practice
• Assist WWF Vietnam staff and consultants with their related field assignments on Con Dao, in disseminating project information, and in providing regular updates to PMU. 

Qualifications and Experience:

• Proven ability to effectively communicate with local communities on issues related to sustainable development and/or environmental management
• Experience working on livelihood programmes, community development and/or market development for small enterprises
• Knowledge of environmental and sustainability issues in Vietnam, particularly as they relate to coastal fisheries, as well as tourism (negative impacts as well as positive models).
• Excellent interpersonal and motivational skills
• Ability to work effectively and under minimal supervision
• Bachelor degree (or higher), preferable in social sciences, business or environmental sciences
• At least intermediate-level spoken and written English skills
• Computer skills: MS Office suite of software, email, internet, etc.
• Willing to spend minimum 50% of work time in Con Dao and willingness to travel when on mainland
• Ability to clearly demonstrate availability and work with WWF and PMU to agree on a tentative schedule and work plan that is timed around site-specific factors (tourist season, PMU activities, WWF field work), projected over two consecutive 6-month work plans. 
• Candidate must be willing to spend minimum 50% of time on Con Dao (2-3 weeks per trip) and also willing to travel to southern provinces (e.g.
  Ninh Thuan, Vung Tau). 
• Candidate must be based in southern Vietnam. 

Interested candidate are invited to visit WWF websites: http://www.panda.org/greatermekong.

Closing date:

30 July 2008