Myanmar: Land and Forest Tenure Technical Adviser

May 8, 2018 | Land Core Group
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Background

The Land Core Group (LCG) is a secular Myanmar civil society organisation and network working on land and forest governance issues in Myanmar and a leading actor in national land and forest governance policy advocacy. We aim to promote and ensure equitable land and natural resource tenure rights, in particular for smallholder farmers, ethnic minorities, women, and the poor.

Overall Position Responsibility

The LCG Technical Adviser is a senior management role supporting the Executive Director and Deputy Directors to manage and run the organisation.

Detailed responsibilities

Communication, Coordination, Networking and Advocacy

  • Support LCG advocacy by the Executive Director and Advocacy Team by bringing in international perspectives and viewpoints, and incorporating knowledge from the South East and South Asia Regions and beyond.
  • Representation of LCG within regional and international networks, including acting as a technical resource person on land and forest tenure rights in Myanmar, as well as facilitating panels at high level workshops from time to time.
  • Communicate impacts and results from LCG’s work to relevant stakeholders, including members, communities, government, civil society, donors and other thematic networks to ensure mutual learning and effective collaboration.
  • Build relationships with the private sector with a view to influencing their business models to support land and forest tenure rights of small holder farmers and subsistence peoples.
  • Act as the principle international liaison point in the organisation, working to enhance linkages with regional and international groups working on land and forest tenure issues and organise events which involve stakeholders from across the region.
  • Take the lead in organising thematic focused symposia, workshops and campaigns in Myanmar which mobilise public support, raise awareness and influence decision makers.
  • Engage in land and forest tenure rights advocacy in the home countries of key investors in Myanmar.
  • Support the preparation of policy briefs based on research findings and the experience of partners of the broader LCG network to be used in advocacy.
  • Coordinate with the broader LCG network partners to prepare and disseminate land related IEC materials for use by diverse stakeholders.
  • Undertake information sharing through formal and informal channels with the broader LCG network partners to share knowledge and lessons learned between various stakeholders.
  • Technically review and lead the program team to identify or improve activities that can contribute the achievement of programme outcomes based on the changing political environment of Myanmar.
  • Manage and oversee complex research projects delivered through consultants and LCG member partners working closely with the research coordinator and research consultants to take the lead in reviewing and brining research projects to completion.
  • Provide strategic direction regarding LCG online platforms.
  • Other activities as necessary to realise the strategic outcomes of the LCG programme.

Staff Management

  • Support and directly manage international and some local consultants undertaking programme related consultancies for LCG.
  • Take a lead role in continuing development of LCG staff regulations and financial regulations to ensure and explain their fair implementation in the organisation.
  • Supporting the capacity development of the programme team where necessary.

Programme / Project Management.

  • Take the lead together with Programs Director to undertake programmatic monitoring and mentoring of project staff to develop and improve overall programme.
  • Work with the LCG team to manage project budgets directly, including development of annual budgets, donor budgets, reviewing quarterly budgets, and supporting programme teams to develop and monitor their own responsible budgets on a regular basis.
  • Giving technical support to programme and operational teams to review monthly expenditure updates and playing an oversight role to ensure program budget lines are effectively spent.
  • Together with the executive director, update the strategic plan of LCG from time to time as necessary.
  • Working with the M&E coordinator to ensure that M&E systems are enhanced and effective documentation of key information is documented and recorded in order to maintain quality of LCG programmes.
  • Take final responsibility to prepare and submit information to donors, such as financial and narrative reports,updates and other communications in a timely manner in collaboration with M&E and other programme teams.
  • Donor liaison role including communication with all donors, and preparation of donor proposals and reporting including oversight of contractual donor obligations to ensure organisational compliance.
  • As a member of the senior management team, the adviser is expected to actively engage in senior management team meetings to effectively contribute to organisational development.

Essential Selection Criteria

The successful candidate should have the following competencies:

  1. At least 10 years experience working in international development context with an excellent knowledge of Myanmar or neighbouring country socio‐political issues related to land / natural resource governance and / or community development, including importantly an excellent understanding of the politics and sensitivities of land and forest tenure issues.
  2. Good understanding of the rural economy of Myanmar, particularly in agrarian communities and/or comparative understanding of such issues in neighbouring countries with a sound knowledge of international and Asian regional institutions working on land and forest governance issues, and be able to bring their own existing networks and experience in working with such organisations.
  3. Have at least 5 years experience in managing donor‐funded programmes, Demonstrated superior skills in project management and delivery both in terms of providing strategic direction and financial / administrative management to an organisation.
  4. Highly developed research and communication skills including the capacity to prepare clear and concise reports, submissions, briefing documents, official correspondence, and make oral and written representations to diverse stakeholder groups.
  5. Interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills of a high order, including team work, flexibility and resilience.
  6. Proven effectiveness at building and strengthening coalitions across civil society, government and the private sector.
  7. Highly developed research and communication skills including the capacity to prepare clear and concise reports, submissions, briefing documents, official correspondence, and make oral and written representations to diverse stakeholder groups.
  8. Fluency in oral and written communication in English, with a knowledge of Burmese being a distinct advantage.