Terms of Reference
Position : Aceh SL Stakeholder Engagement Senior Officer
Job Grade : Band 4 – Class Senior Professional Core
Program/Unit. : Forest
Base : Aceh, preferably in one of the following cities:
Tapak Tuan, Subulussalam, or Singkil
Duration of Assignment : One year with extension based on performance
and funding availability
Background
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has a distinguished history of experts exploring and saving wildlife in some of the most remote and wild places remaining on Earth. The Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesia Program (WCS-IP) has significantly grown over the last decades and contributed to supporting the Government of Indonesia (GoI), particularly the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) in conserving Indonesia's biodiversity. WCS-IP is structured under five core thematic programs: Forests, Marine, Wildlife Trade & Policy, One Health, and Rights & Communities. These programs are supported by cross-cutting units namely Science & Technology, Conservation Network & Partnership, and Operations.
One of WCS-IP’s priority landscapes is in Aceh and includes Singkil Wildlife Reserve (SWR). The Reserve is a large intact peatland area in Aceh province and provides critical habitat for the Sumatran orangutan and contains vast quantities of carbon. Expansion of oil palm plantations is rapidly occurring in the surrounding area and this may expand into SWR. The integrity of the wider landscape is also threatened by poorly planned infrastructure development projects.
In Rawa Singkil Wildlfie Reserve of Aceh Province, WCS-IP is supporting the Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP) and Aceh Biodiversity Conservation Agency (BKSDA Aceh), as well as three district governments of Aceh Selatan, Aceh Singkil, and Subulussalam) under the Forest Progam.
WCS-IP operates a Sustainable Landscape Initiative that aims to reduce deforestation threats and improve community livelihoods in priority landscapes, including SWR, through partnering with the government, private sector, other civil society organizations, and communities to develop deforestation-free commodity production and supply chains.
To achieve our overall goal of saving wildlife and wild places, WCS-IP is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of (Singkil SL Stakeholder Engagement Senior Officer). The position will directly report to (Aceh Sustainable Landscape Coordinator) and work with other WCS-IP staff.
The Singkil SL Stakeholder Engagement Senior Officer is a dynamic and experienced individual to help implement and grow our Sustainable Landscape approach in Aceh, in particular through developing and implementing a landscape partnership and activities in and around SWR that addresses the main drivers of deforestation – agricultural encroachment (primarily) and infrastructure development (secondarily).
Task and Responsibilities
The Singkil SL Stakeholder Senior Officer will support WCS-IP's efforts to reduce current and future threats to biodiversity and forest integrity driven by unsustainable agricultural commodity production and, to a lesser extent, provide support to infrastructure impact mitigation initiatives. The position holder will implement relevant program interventions, including building strategic partnerships that have measurable impacts in reducing these threats in the Leuser Ecosystem, particularly in the Singkil Wildlife Reserve, with close coordination and communication with the Leuser Landscape Manager and Aceh Program Manager. More specifically, this includes:
- Acting as WCS-IP’s representative in building and maintaining good relations with UPT KLHK - specifically BKSDA Aceh, KPH, and relevant agencies at the district and provincial levels, private companies, NGOs, and other stakeholders related to strategic wildlife conservation and sustainable commodity development efforts in the Singkil landscape.
- Assisting the Aceh SL Senior Coordinator in ensuring the implementation of programs and activities agreed upon in the RKT between WCS-IP and BBKSDA Aceh in SM Rawa Singkil.
- Mapping and strategizing stakeholder engagement to develop conservation commitments and sustainable commodity development in the Singkil landscape based on previous conservation approach implementation lessons.
- Strategically engaging stakeholders, including government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, academics, and local community groups, to address conservation threats and challenges and restore landscape integrity.
- Ensuring the formation and operation of a Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) for Natural Resource Management in the SM Rawa Singkil landscape, covering three buffer districts (South Aceh, Subulussalam, and Aceh Singkil).
- Promoting scaling-up conservation innovations around SM Rawa Singkil through the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices in sustainable palm oil development and group business models using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) approach.
- Monitoring policy developments at the district, provincial, and national levels related to potential support for environmental and wildlife improvement efforts and regulations that could impact the organization's conservation target achievements and ensuring their sustainability.
- Working closely with the Wildlife Response Unit (WRU) team in outreach and awareness efforts by developing best practice learning documents from the field as a form of knowledge transfer from the site level.
- Preparing and submitting WCS-IP activity reports in the SM Rawa Singkil landscape, including internal reports, reports to the government/UPT, donor reports, and other reports as required by the organization.
- Collaborating with internal WCS teams, including WRU, SMART - Patrol, BIODIV related to IPM management to strengthen social relations, marketing themes to align support efforts to target groups, and increasing government engagement with vulnerable groups.
- Managing budgets and activities in accordance with the work plan.
- Performing other tasks beyond the TOR provided by the Line Manager as required by the organization.
Requirements: Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Forestry, Environment, or Agriculture.
- At least 5 years of experience working on forest conservation and development issues, ideally related to commodity-driven deforestation and smallholder livelihoods.
- Ability to work with external partners, consortia, and stakeholders in Aceh Province or North Sumatra is preferred.
- Proven experience in government relations, public affairs, or related fields.
- Strong understanding of government structures, processes, and regulatory frameworks.
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with government officials and key stakeholders.
- Knowledge of organizational policy advocacy and issues affecting it.
Please send a cover letter and CV in English to idrecruitment@wcs.org stating in the subject line “Aceh SL Stakeholder Engagement Senior Officer_(name)” at the latest on 13 September 2024. No correspondence as only short-listed candidates will be notified.