Manager High Conservation Values

Overview High Conservation Value (HCV) areas are natural habitats which are outstandingly significant or critically important due to their high biological, ecological, social or cultural values. HCVs need to be well managed, maintained or enhanced and avoid being lost. In an effort to reduce degradation of forests and improve forest management, the Sarawak state government has mandated that all long-term timber license areas or forest management units (FMUs) should be certified by 2022. As part of the forest certification scheme, the assessment of HCV is required. Likewise, HCV assessments and management is now a requirement under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification requirements that come into effect in 2023. HCVs should be appropriately identified, set aside and managed for the benefit of wildlife and ecosystem services. However, there are gaps in capacities of land managers and authority on HCV subject matters, 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 contained, and sound management of HCVs could provide the additional benefit for conservation financing. Purpose of Job Under the Sarawak Conservation Strategy (FY21-FY25), the HCV strategy focuses on HCV management and capacity development, including enhancing HCV data basing for reference and analysis, to support decision making for better informed judgements and decisions. The end objective shall contribute towards the sound management of HCVs within FMUs, industrial plantations and oil palm plantations. You are expected to engage with these industry players to advocate for sound management of HCVs, which will then assist them towards successful certifications. Your role is to oversee the strategic direction and implementation of the HCV Strategy, and shall be guided by the WWF Mission and Network policies, and strategies set within the WWF-Malaysia Conservation Strategy, Sarawak Conservation Strategy (FY21-FY25) and other relevant WWF-Malaysia’s conservation strategies. The purpose of this job is to jointly develop and implement conservation strategies and action plans, support and coordinate, and monitor and evaluate programmes and projects related to the HCV Strategy in Sarawak, as specified in the Sarawak Conservation Strategy. The job also entails supporting other strategies within Sarawak and programmes in Malaysia on HCV subject matters. You may be required to participate in fundraising activities and help write proposals for project funding. The job provides direct reporting line to the Senior Manager (Thematic) of Sarawak. Major Activities

1. Managing a team, monitoring and advising on strategic directions for the effective implementation of HCV Programme in Sarawak, to get stakeholders engaged and influenced, to secure necessary collaborations through proper stakeholder analysis and due diligence, to get alignment with other strategies within Sarawak Conservation Programme (SCP) for collective impact, and ensuring that Environmental and Social Safeguards related to the HCV Programme implementation are adhered to.
2. Taking up the role as reference and resource person on HCV subject matters, and provide HCV guidance to the organization and external stakeholders.
3. Working with and guiding relevant SCP team members to develop knowledgeable and qualified HCV resource pools by providing technical knowledge, capacity building and developing the resource networks for targeted stakeholders. This shall be done through collaboration with relevant agencies in carrying out HCV capacity development programmes.
4. Supporting the advocacy to implement a system for the assessment of qualification and capacities of HCV assessors.
5. Support the development of necessary guidelines for HCV monitoring and management, through the HCV Resource Network or other relevant channel; and participate in the review exercises of these guidelines, HCV toolkit and other HCV related materials.
6. Guiding relevant SCP team members to empower local community and community-based forestry organizations through recognised communication platforms to support HCV monitoring and management, through proper guidance and training where necessary.
7. Guiding and supporting the development of a database on HCV that will support other Strategies within the Sarawak Conservation Programme, for the conservation of wildlife corridors and habitats, and environmental protection (soil and water) leading to improved watershed management.
8. Provide guidance for Monitoring and advocating for good management of HCVs within FMUs, industrial plantations and oil palm plantations leading to successful certifications and the development of communications materials as needed, with SCP’s Communications team.
9. Representing WWF-Malaysia and SCP to participate in technical working groups, committees, stakeholder forums etc. with relevant agencies and other stakeholders on HCV related matters.
10. Developing action plans and work plans for HCV Strategy and coordination with the Sustainable Markets Team for HCV matters related to sustainable forest and plantations supply chain management for Sarawak. This also includes participation in the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of the strategy.
11. Keeping up-to-date on HCV subject matters, certification schemes and policy matters associated with HCVs in Sarawak.
12. Providing technical support to the Senior Manager (Thematic), Head of Conservation Sarawak or other officers, in any reasonable form and manner that may include but not limited to preparing presentation papers, or drafting of technical documents.
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 Senior Manager (Thematic) or Head of Conservation Sarawak.
14. Any ad-hoc task by supervisor.

1. Effective delivery of outputs and outcomes related to the HCV Strategy’s planned final results, relevant landscape objectives, and Sarawak Conservation Programme’s Goals.
2. Clear guidance and directions to the HCV team for the effective implementation of work plans and delivery of 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.
3. Engagement and collaborations established with relevant stakeholders to achieve HCV Strategies intended results and outcomes.
4. Proposals for funding, as and when necessary.

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 five (5) years in the related field. Preference is given to those with professional experience relating to High Conservation Value assessment and management.
3. Mature, able to work with minimal supervision, and has the capacity to make decisions or act on issues with professionalism.
4. Experience with leading, guiding or managing a team will be an added advantage.
5. Experience with engaging and influencing senior management level stakeholders is an added advantage.
6. Excellent written and oral skills in both English language and Bahasa Malaysia. Ability to communicate in a Sarawak native language is an advantage.
7. Must be computer literate and have the ability to use appropriate technology for presentation to partners, stakeholders and potential donors.
8. Organizing and management skills.
9. Good interpersonal skills, innovative thinking, versatile ability to work in a team and work independently.
10. Do not have any criminal record.
11. Good understanding of current issues especially having knowledge on environmental and conservation issues.
12. Identifies and aligns with the core values of the WWF organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.