Capacity Building Officer, RECOFTC

RECOFTC is an international nonprofit organization working towards a future where resilient communities with respected rights thrive in forest landscapes that they manage sustainably and equitably. We take a long-term, landscape-based and inclusive approach in supporting local communities to secure their land and resource rights, stop deforestation, find alternative livelihoods and foster gender equality. With almost 40 years of experience, we have built trusting relationships with partners from communities, governments, businesses, academic and civil society organizations. Our innovations, knowledge and initiatives enable countries to foster good forest governance, mitigate and adapt to climate change and achieve the UN Global Goals.

We operate in the Asia-Pacific region, with country offices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam.

RECOFTC Lao PDR has been supporting the Government of Lao PDR in advancing the forestry sector and implementing various forestry programmes for over a decade. The focus has been on village forestry and associated programmes, empowering women, local communities, ethnic groups and other stakeholders to manage their forests sustainably and build resilience to climate change, fostering environmental conservation, livelihood improvement, private sector engagement and social equity. We provide technical assistance, capacity-building and facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues to support inclusive and participatory forest governance in Lao PDR.

Project background

RECOFTC is implementing the “Enhancing Access to Benefits while Lowering Carbon Emissions” (EnABLE) project in Lao PDR, funded by a multi-donor trust fund administered by the World Bank. The project aims to enhance the inclusion of target populations, particularly women and ethnic groups living in selected remote villages, in receiving carbon and non-carbon benefits from the Lao PDR Emissions Reduction Programme and its Benefits Sharing Plan (BSP). The project will support and complement the ongoing World Bank-funded Governance, Forest Landscape and Livelihoods (GFLL) project, which is being implemented by the Department of Forestry (DoF), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). The project will run until December 2027.

RECOFTC Lao PDR invites applications for the position of Capacity Building Officer, to be based in Vientiane. The project duration is 28 months. The contract is issued on an annual basis, with the possibility of extension subject to annual performance assessment and includes a three-month probationary period. The appointment is expected to begin in August or September 2025.

The Capacity Building Officer will be employed full-time for the EnABLE project and report directly to the Project Coordinator and Country Director.

Specific tasks and duties

• Lead the conduct of Capacity Development Needs Assessments in collaboration with the project team in Lao PDR and the relevant unit(s) at the Main Office in Bangkok for the EnABLE project
• Lead the development of concept notes for capacity development and training under the EnABLE project. This includes the use of participatory and audio-visual tools to promote the participation of ethnic and other vulnerable groups, such as individuals who do not speak or read Lao and women in remote villages in Lao PDR
• Coordinate, develop and deliver course content, including the preparation of materials, session plans, training delivery, budgeting and reporting
• Work with key stakeholders, including government agencies (especially in the forestry sector), international non-governmental organizations, development partners, the private sector, civil society organizations, non-profit associations and local communities, in the development and implementation of capacity development activities for the EnABLE project
• Provide support in developing, adapting, documenting and translating appropriate training and learning materials, such as training manuals and case studies, for capacity development and training activities
• Conduct post-training monitoring and provide mentoring support to EnABLE training participants from government offices, civil society organizations and communities
• Provide technical assistance and serve as a trainer or facilitator for training activities, as required
• Lead the preparation and implementation of environmental and social management measures in accordance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requirements and relevant Environmental and Social Standards (ESS)
• Support the development of appropriate information, communication and education audio-visual materials (in Lao and applicable ethnic languages) for awareness-raising and dissemination
• Lead the monitoring, evaluation and learning activities for the project and ensure the collection of required data for RECOFTC annual reports across three provinces
• Participate in and contribute to the project’s monthly, semi-annual and annual workplan and budgeting processes
• Contribute to the preparation of the project's monthly, semi-annual and annual project progress reports
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Country Director

Qualifications and experience

The Capacity Building Officer should have the following essential qualifications and experience:

Essential

• A bachelor’s degree in education, forestry, environmental or socio-economic sciences, natural resource management, international development, or related field
• At least four years of experience in participatory and adult learning, training design and delivery, and curriculum and material development, preferably in forestry and natural resource management
• Experience working in close partnership with key stakeholders, including government agencies (especially in the forestry sector), international non-governmental organizations, development partners, civil society organizations and local communities
• Good working knowledge of written and spoken English, as well as fluency in Lao, with an understanding of the country context
• Proficiency in computer applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with key issues and challenges related to forestry, natural resource management, social development and other relevant topics in Lao PDR and the Asia-Pacific region
• Demonstrated experience in applying participatory tools and methodologies in capacity development and or training programmes
• Experience in training course design, development, delivery, coordination, planning, networking, facilitation and material development
• Proven ability to write clearly and concisely and to verbally communicate effectively
• Experience in preparing capacity development or training concept notes, training proposals and progress reports
• Ability to travel to provinces and oversee capacity development and training events as required.

Desirable

• Experience in natural resource management, REDD+, carbon initiatives, village forestry, forest governance and landscape approaches
• Proficient training and facilitation skills, particularly in promoting participatory processes within adult learning
• Experience in World Bank Social and Environmental Framework or related environmental and social risk management activities
• Strong analytical skills and strategic thinking
• Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation and learning systems and principles
• Familiarity with engagement, knowledge management and communication concepts, processes and technologies
• Female and ethnic candidates are encouraged to apply

RECOFTC’s core values

At RECOFTC, our core values are the foundation of our culture and guide all our work. In addition to job specific skills and experience, the applicant should possess the following characteristics, attitudes and skills:

• Embrace innovation
• Adapt to and learn from challenges
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
• Nurture commitment, responsibility and ownership
• Prioritize sustainability
• Cultivate participation, social inclusion and gender equity

Commitment to RECOFTC policies and procedures

At RECOFTC, we uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency and responsibility in all our operations. Our policies and guidelines are designed to ensure a safe, inclusive, sustainable and ethical environment for our staff, partners, consultants and the communities we serve.

All consultants, staff and contractors engaged by RECOFTC are required to comply with RECOFTC’s policies and procedures while performing their roles with RECOFTC.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV and a cover letter. The cover letter should clearly outline the candidate’s suitability for the position, include salary expectations and provide current contact details of three referees, including recent supervisors. Please submit your application by clicking here.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. RECOFTC offers a competitive compensation package.

For more information about RECOFTC, please visit our website at https://www.recoftc.org/

RECOFTC is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on ethnicity, religion, age, nationality, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, colour, marital status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by RECOFTC's values and code of conduct. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified disabled applicants to participate in the application process. If you require special accommodation, please inform RECOFTC's Human Resources in writing at the time of application. The successful candidate will be selected based on merit. RECOFTC strongly encourages women and members of Indigenous and or ethnic groups to apply.