Regional Coordinator – CITES Tree Species Project (Asia)

The Regional Coordinator will assist the CITES Secretariat with implementation of the CITES Tree Species Project in Asia, supporting project teams, coordinating activities, and ensuring smooth project launch and delivery of outputs. The role involves liaison with stakeholders, monitoring progress, and reporting on project implementation.

Responsibilities

• Establish close working relationships with CITES Management and Scientific Authorities and forestry departments in all target countries of the region.
• Support project teams in all target countries of the region in preparing their project documents, detailed budget, and integration and implementation of safeguards measures, as appropriate, until the signature of the legal agreement governing the project with the CITES Secretariat.
• Support the organisation of inception meetings with project teams in all target countries of the region and with the CITES Secretariat, and participate in these meetings.
• Develop a clear assessment of project needs and priorities in the region, while producing following the project roadmap for the region.
• Submit a work programme for the whole duration of the contract within 1 month of contract finalization (and within 2 months of any renewal) including all identified activities in each target country or at regional level.
• Support the launch of the projects in all target countries of the region and the implementation of approved activities in an effective manner, including undertaking all liaison, monitoring of progress, milestones and monitoring of budgeting by agencies implementing activities under the CITES Tree Species Project.
• Organize and/or participate in virtual meetings with all stakeholders as necessary, to ensure smooth progress of implementation and completion of CTSP projects with achievement of milestones and outputs as set in relevant agreements established with target countries.
• Liaise with other Regional Coordinators areas as appropriate and with the Secretariat, including providing images/information/postings to publish on the CITES Tree Species Programme website. All images carrying short and clear photo credits and captions.
• Liaise with the CITES Secretariat to report on the implementation of these terms of reference and the implementation of the projects, for any technical assistance, and to ensure non-duplication of effort.

Requirements

• An Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in environmental or wildlife management, environmental law, forestry and forest management, biology or related area is required.
• A first-level university degree (or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A Minimum 5 years’ work experience in international timber trade, forestry management, protection of forests, biology of forests or related area is required.
• Experience in and knowledge of CITES or similar organisation or Convention is required.
• Experience in and knowledge of rules for trade in CITES-listed tree species or related organisation is required.
• Experience in biology, forestry and forest management is required.
• Experience in production of technical reports within agreed timeframes is required.
• Experience with the UN system or international organizations is desirable.
• Demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to CITES Secretariat; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to CITES Secretariat procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
• Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues.
• Effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of one of the languages of the region is desirable.

Skills

• Environmental Management
• Wildlife Management
• Environmental Law
• Forest Management
• Forest Ecology
• International Timber Trade
• CITES Convention knowledge
• Trade Rules for CITES Species
• Technical Report Preparation
• UN System Experience
• Project Coordination
• Stakeholder Liaison
• Tact and Diplomacy
• Information Management
• Organizational Skills
• Problem Solving
• Work Planning and Prioritization
• Communications Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Training and Guidance

Languages

English