Position: Knowledge Management and Communication Officer  

Deadline for application: 12 August 2024 

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. We have more than 37 years of experience working with people and forests and have built trusting relationships with partners at all levels. As a trusted, honest broker, we occupy a distinct position as an international organization that supports, informs and brings together governments, communities, businesses, academia 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.

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

RECOFTC is currently seeking a Senior Program Officer – Governance and Equity for the Center for People and Forests in Nepal for its Scaling-up Equitable Governance in Area-Based Conservation (SEGA) project. The position is open to external candidates who are Nepal nationals. The selected candidate will be offered a 24-month contract with possibility of extension, contingent on project funding availability and satisfactory performance.

About Center for People and Forest - RECOFTC Nepal

The Center for People and Forest (also known as RECOFTC Nepal), a registered not-for-profit company in Nepal, is a localized entity of RECOFTC.

About the Project

RECOFTC Nepal is implementing a four-year project "Scaling-up Equitable Governance in AreaBased Conservation" (SEGA) across 12 sites in Nepal, starting July 2024. SEGA is a multicountry initiative, involving Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nepal, and Tanzania. It is funded by the Darwin Initiative and led by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). The project aims to foster equitable governance of protected and conserved areas in alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30x30 target. By concentrating on key sites, SEGA seeks to scale up stakeholder-led actions that promote equitable governance, thereby enhancing both social and conservation outcomes.

Tasks and duties

The Knowledge Management and Communication Officer is a member of the Center for People  and Forests and will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Program Officer. The Officer  is responsible for delivering knowledge management and communication initiatives of SEGA  while strengthening RECOFTC Nepal’s internal and external communications and managing the  publication of knowledge products. The Officer will collaborate with the team and project  partners to ensure that high quality and timely reports and documents are generated, and  program decisions are made based on learnings.  

Specific tasks and duties include: 

Knowledge Management 

• Develop project a knowledge management plan to build knowledge and understanding of the  importance of equitable governance in area-based conservation for wider replication 
• Take the lead role in collecting project learnings and good practices on a regular basis 
• Craft persuasive narratives and accompanying materials to proficiently convey the  significance and potential outcomes of the projects 
• Provide a central role in program documentation and promptly share documents to program  stakeholders 
• Collaborate with the Communication and MEL Officer to develop and disseminate  information, education, communication and behavior change materials in coordination with  RECOFTC Nepal program staff and other external stakeholders 
• Work closely with RECOFTC’s Business Development team and IIED's funding and  partnerships team to explore funding opportunities and develop funding strategies for the  proposed activities 
• Coordinate and play a role in research/ assessments as per requirements  

Communication and reporting 

• Develop and implement a communication strategy to showcase the work of the project 
• Write a variety of communications and promotional materials including developing and  editing success stories/case studies, blogs and preparing a project brochure 
• Draft semi-annual and annual progress reports detailing project advancements and narrative  updates to IIED and SWC to assist the team in timely and quality reporting to donors and the government 
• Maintain and update a database of profiles of key partners and stakeholders and community  forestry networks 
• Assist team members to strengthen relationships with stakeholders through regular  communication  
• Contribute to RECOFTC’s overall communication and outreach activities such as stories and  social media 
• Support the project team to facilitate the sharing of experience and learning between  community organizations and staffs of NGOs and government agencies to improve Site-level  governance Assessment (SAGE) - and activities in the project sites  
• Support the Deputy Director to organize opportunities to showcase the work of the project at  relevant forums 
• Ensure all the communication products are in line with the RECOFTC and the project’s  Brand Guidelines

Coordination and strategic support 

• Actively participate in project planning and preparation of detailed implementation plans,  coordinating with the program team 
• Assist program staff in executing activities and delivering outputs that contribute to the  organizational goal  
• Facilitate regular planning and progress review meetings 
• Support the Deputy Director in identifying opportunities and additional activities that could  strengthen the project including organizing national-level influencing events • Perform other activities as assigned by the supervisor 

Qualifications and experience 

The Knowledge Management and Communication Officer should have the following essential  qualifications and experience: 

Essential 

• A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or related field will be preferred but  individuals with experience in other fields are also encouraged to apply 
• Minimum of three years' relevant experience in a communications role 
• Experience in developing and implementing communication plans, producing high-quality  content and publications, and drafting project proposals 
• Experience working with national and local media in Nepal 
• Experience applying visual identity and visibility guidelines for organizations, projects and  donors 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and social media platforms 
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and communicate effectively in both written  and spoken Nepali and English 
• Good understanding of and commitment to achieving gender equality and social inclusion, and multi-cultural diversity  
• Ability to foster a safe and respectful working environment 
• Must be a Nepali national 

Desirable 

• Experience in business development activities  
• Knowledge of desktop publishing software (Canva) 

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 
• Nurture commitment, responsibility and ownership 
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders 
• Commit to sustainability 
• Cultivate participation, gender equality and social inclusion  
• Prioritize well-being