WWF-Greater-Mekong-Laos-Country-Programme-Policy-Coordinator

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Position title: Policy Coordinator, WWF Laos

Directly reports to: Conservation Programme Manager, WWF Laos

Technically reports to: N/A

Supervises: N/A

Technically supervises: N/A

Validity: 2011-2015

Location: Vientiane Capital

Background

WWF has a long established presence in the Mekong region, starting in Vietnam in 1990. Since then, WWF operations have grown to four Country offices based in Cambodia (Phnom Penh), Laos (Vientiane), Thailand (Bangkok) & Vietnam (Hanoi), including a Regional team in the Hanoi, Vientiane and Bangkok offices. The ‘Greater Mekong Programme Office’ was officially formed in November 2005 merging WWF Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam) and WWF Thailand. In order to be relevant with partners at provincial levels and deliver conservation results in landscapes, GMPO has also developed 20 field offices across the 4 countries and 6 landscapes.

Following a strong track record of conservation delivery over the last 20 years, WWF has established both the credibility and presence to deliver conservation impact at all levels from provincial, to national to regional.

WWF Greater Mekong Programme Office has embarked on new strategic plan FY11-FY15. The new strategic plan outlines changes in the way WWF GMPO operates, both in conservation and operation aspects.

I. Major Function

The Policy Coordinator is responsible for initiating and leading specific policy advocacy action plan in accordance to GMPO Strategic Plan FY11-FY15 – mainly at the national level - aiming to build political support for actions that will have positive impacts on WWF and partner biodiversity conservation goals.

II. Major Responsibilities

A. Strategy Development and Implementation
· Participate in the working group to contribute to the development of GMP Strategic Plan
· Responsible for the development, review and update of Policy and Advocacy Plan that is aligned with deliverables defined in the Greater Mekong Strategic Plan 2011-2015
· Implement the policy and advocacy priorities within Country to promote the GMPO BIGWIN and related communications and advocacy in line with GMPO strategy
· Communicate the policy and advocacy plan to all staff when required
· Facilitate and mobilize stakeholders within WWF priority landscapes to raise awareness and concern over the impacts of forest connectivity, build consensus on solutions and bring those solutions to national and local government agencies
· As and when appropriate, work closely with the Country Director, Conservation Programme Manager, Landscape Managers, Project Managers to identify, develop, and lead other strategic policy advocacy initiatives
B. Policy and Advocacy, Fundraising, Partnership Development, and Networking
· Design project / program portfolios and promote organization’s capacity as a reliable partner with national counterparts
· Advocate on behalf of organization’s goal at the national level
· Target Country’s policies affecting landscape planning, especially infrastructure development in the Greater Mekong Region to incorporate rigorous standards to achieve efficient and environmentally sustainable operations
· Develop and maintain strategic, informal and formal alliances with key partners in the Country Provincial and National Governments
· Ensure that any partnerships and advocacy taking place in Country contribute to a strong, influential policy programme that helps to set the agenda for conservation and sustainable development across the GMPO.
· Promote the organisation’s image in the community by attendance at meetings and fora in related field
C. Issue Resolutions, Crisis/Risk Management
· Provide strategic advice and guidance to the CMT and staff in all aspects of policy advocacy
· Maintain an awareness of any possible crisis or risk to the organisation and develop plans that will provide for such contingencies
D. Monitoring and Evaluation, Reporting
· Provide support to the evaluation of policy advocacy strategy
· Provide technical reports as required and produce a six month written report against the Advocacy Strategy
· Provide regular reports and analysis to the Country Director to facilitate continuous improvement
E. Others
· Develop, monitor and update the annual policy advocacy budget
· Develop, monitor, review and update work plan of policy advocacy activities
· Recommend to the Country Director any changes that might be required to develop or improve the organisation
· Provide orientation and reorientation to staff to help them understand the policy and advocacy activities of the organisation when required
· Work with HR Manager to identify training needs in related fields for all staff and provide training when required
· Maintains an awareness of staff comments and any complaints to identify any areas that may need development of improvement
· Ensure that effective cooperation with programme audits, and audit recommendations are implemented in a timely manner upon consensus of the CMT

This TOR covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.

III. Working Relationships

1. Internal

· WWF GMPO: Interact on a regular basis with Country Director, Conservation Programme Manager, Landscape Managers, and Strategy Leaders at regional level. Engage with and support WWF Laos staff

· WWF Network: Liaise with relevant teams to provide inputs and seek supports as required

2. External

· Interact with government agencies, private sectors, donors, academic institutions, the media, other NGOs and community organisations primary in the country and generally across the Greater Mekong Region, as well as relevant global partners.

IV. Requirements

1. Education and Qualification

· Master’s degree in development studies or in relevant fields

2. Knowledge

· Familiar with conservation and natural resource management issues in Laos

· Thorough understanding of laws and regulations, and policy/institutional context related to conservation and natural resource management in Laos

· Excellent understanding of development partnerships, fund-raising, donor strategies, functions, governmental and international relations in Laos

3. Experience

· 5 years of practical experience in policy advocacy, 2 years of which should be in the Laos

· A substantial part of this experience should have been in organisation specializing in conservation or nature resource management

· Proven experience of working and negotiating with Government officials at all level

· Experience of working in international organisation

4. General Skill

· Report writing

· Planning, organisation, time management, facilitation, and coordination

· Fluency in written and spoken English and local language

· Proficiency in MS Office

5. Technical Skill

· Strategic thinking

· Policy advocacy and influencing

· Analysis and research

· Presentation, communications, public speaking, and negotiation

· Management of risk and crisis

· Networking and interpersonal

6. Ability

· Establishing rapport/relationship with government agencies, donor and partner organisation

7. Personality

· Diplomatic

· Mature

· Sensible