Programme Officer, High Conservation Value

Overview

Conservation work in Sarawak involves multiple land uses regulated by different legislative frameworks and certification standards with permanent forest estates covering almost half of the Sarawak landscape. High Conservation Values (HCVs) have become one of the important aspects of conservation works in Sarawak. HCV areas refer to natural habitats which are found to be outstandingly significant or critically important due to their high biological, ecological, social or cultural values. These areas have to be appropriately managed and protected in order to maintain or enhance the identified HCVs.

In an effort to reduce degradation of forests and improve forest management, Sarawak State Government has mandated that all long-term timber license areas or forest management units (FMUs) must be certified by 2022. As part of the forest certification scheme, the assessment of HCVs is required to manage this production landscape. Likewise, HCV assessments and management must be adequately considered for other land developments and land uses, and this include plantations for trees and mono-culture crops such as oil palms.

HCVs should be appropriately identified, set aside and managed to avoid biodiversity loss and potential land use conflicts. They also create opportunities from biodiversity conservation for benefit-sharing between companies and local forest communities. However, there are HCV knowledge and capacity gaps in land managers and government authorities resulting in poor identification, assessment and management, and to some extent, the loss of HCVs. If adequately assessed and managed, further degradation and loss of HCVs can be prevented, and sound management of HCVs beyond basic legal requirements could provide the demonstration of additionally required for carbon financing or payments for ecosystem services.

Purpose of Job

Under the Sarawak Conservation Strategy (FY21-FY25), the HCV strategy focuses on HCV management and capacity development and enhancing HCV information database to support decision making for better informed decision-making. The end objective shall contribute towards the sound management of HCVs within FMUs, industrial tree plantations and oil palm plantations.

The Officer is expected to work closely with the relevant stakeholders in these industry to enhance the HCV practices in Sarawak. The job also entails supporting other strategies within Sarawak on HCV subject matters. The job provides direct reporting line to the Manager, HCV Programme. The work will be guided by the WWF Mission and Network policies, and strategies set within the WWF-Malaysia Conservation Strategy 2021-2030, Sarawak Conservation Strategy (FY21-FY25) and other WWF-Malaysia’s conservation strategies relevant to Sarawak.

In specific, the job entails:

1. Implementing activities as specified in the work plan developed for HCV Strategy under Sarawak Conservation Programme.
2. Assisting with the development of HCV Capacity Building Programmes for targeted stakeholders from the timber and oil palm industries by engaging with diverse stakeholders, including industry representatives, local communities, government agencies, and conservation organizations, to foster collaboration and support for HCV initiatives.
3. Effectively liaising and communicating with stakeholders in the oil palm sector to promote HCV management and monitoring, providing guidance and support as necessary.
4. Supporting projects by liaising, arranging logistics, coordinating, and effectively communicating with stakeholders.
5. Supporting projects related to Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), and other initiatives aimed at integrating HCV considerations into industry practices.
6. Supporting the development of materials for HCV identification, management and monitoring works.
7. Empowering local community and community based organizations to support HCV management and monitoring, through proper guidance and training where necessary.
8. Working with the SCP Communications Team to prepare communications materials necessary for creating awareness and driving stewardship among the stakeholders and the public.
9. Participating and supporting the implementation of programmes and activities relating to the HCV, including organizing capacity building and awareness events.
10. Assisting the Programme Leader and Manager, HCV Programme in the preparation of technical/ advocacy papers and presentations for targeted audience (e.g. government authorities, project partners).
11. Prepare and provide meeting minutes, back to office report and regular updates on the progress of assigned work components and other strategy related inputs as required for purposes such as revising and refining strategy and work plan, internal and external reporting (periodically according to specified reporting schedule and / or as required), project monitoring and evaluation.
12. Any ad-hoc task given by supervisors.
13. Participating wholeheartedly in the general activities of WWF-Malaysia, particularly events and activities that require the full support and participation of all staff, whether or not the focus of any particular event or activity has any bearing on the job description and assigned project objectives and activities upon permission obtained from the Manager, HCV Programme, Programme Leader or Head of Conservation Sarawak.

Key Outputs

1. Effective implementation of the work plan and delivery of the key outputs, including timely reporting and all other relevant reports as per the Sarawak Conservation Strategy for HCV. This includes contribution to the quarterly progress reports, technical project report, project finance reporting, minutes of meetings and field reports.
2. Professional relationships with stakeholders (internal and external) and communities where applicable, is strongly maintained.
3. Proposals for funding, as and when necessary.

Specifications

1. A Bachelor’s Degree and professional background in a field relevant to Conservation and Environmental Sciences, Forestry and Land Use Planning. Credits or coursework related to social forestry and community development would be an advantage.
2. Minimum working experience of three (3) years in the related field and capacity preference is given to professional experience relating to High Conservation Value assessment.
3. Mature, able to work with minimal supervision, and has the capacity to make decisions or act on issues with professionalism.
4. Excellent written and oral skills in both English language and Bahasa Malaysia. Ability to communicate in a Sarawak native language is an advantage.
5. Must be computer literate and have the ability to use appropriate technology for presentation to partners, stakeholders and potential donors.
6. Organizing and management skills.
7. Good interpersonal skills, innovative thinking, versatile ability to work in a team and work independently.
8. Must possess a valid driving licence.
9. Do not have any criminal record.
10. Good understanding of current issues especially having knowledge on environmental and conservation issues.
11. Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.

Salary Range

RM3,000 - RM6,000 (vary based on experience)