Deadline for application: 17 March 2025
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 programme offices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam. RECOFTC is closely collaborating with the Wyss Academy for Nature to research, develop and implement innovative solutions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, land use change and rising inequality. These solutions aim to connect technical, social, economic, institutional and policy innovations at the interface of nature and people. The Wyss Academy for Nature is a Swiss foundation that co-designs and tests new development pathways and conservation approaches that benefit both nature and people, building on scientific knowledge, stakeholder engagement and implementation of innovative solutions. The Wyss Academy operates through four regional stewardship hubs located in East Africa (Kenya), South America (Peru), Southeast Asia (Thailand) and Europe (Switzerland) with the vision to achieve a just and sustainable world in which nature conservation and human wellbeing reinforce each other. RECOFTC is seeking an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Officer for the Wyss Academy to support the planning and implementing activities under the RECOFTC-Wyss Academy collaboration. The successful candidate will be based at the RECOFTC Main Office in Bangkok, Thailand and will be offered a 24-month contract with the possibility of extension, contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance.
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Officer is a member of the RECOFTC team and works closely with Wyss Academy’s Hub Southeast Asia and global teams under the supervision of the Wyss Academy Southeast Asia Regional Hub Director and Senior Advisor. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Officer is responsible for advancing innovative sustainability solutions through the lens of entrepreneurship, including product, business and social enterprise development and proactive engagement with the private sector.
Specific duties and responsibilities include:
• Support the Southeast Asia Hub’s projects in designing and implementing innovative and entrepreneurial activities (e.g., developing products, social enterprises, startups, value chains and business partnerships) that generate co-benefits for nature and people • Monitor and identify emerging innovation trends, business opportunities and market developments relevant to the Southeast Asia Hub’s project portfolio • Lead the innovation process, including ideation, development, prototyping and launching of new solutions to address people-and-nature challenges in existing and future Southeast Asia Hub projects • Analyze the scaling potential of the Southeast Asia Hub’s project portfolio, develop and lead scaling strategies and document outcomes effectively • Identify potential funding streams from the private sector and philanthropic sources (particularly in Southeast Asia) to secure long-term sustainable funding for partners • Organize capacity-building activities related to entrepreneurship and innovation for Southeast Asia Hub staff, partner organizations, small-scale entrepreneurs and local communities • Represent the Southeast Asia Hub in Wyss Academy’s global innovation team, contribute to strengthening Wyss Academy’s long-term innovation capacity and support the implementation of global innovation projects within the Southeast Asia Hub • Contribute to the development, implementation and management of projects and activities under the Southeast Asia Hub • Perform other tasks as assigned by the Wyss Academy Southeast Asia Regional Hub Director and Senior Advisor
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Officer will have the following essential and desirable qualifications and experience:
Essential
• Master’s degree in business, commerce, social entrepreneurship, environmental entrepreneurship, innovation, ecological economics or a related field• Minimum of five years of experience in a similar position, particularly in Thailand and Lao PDR• Proven experience in sustainability entrepreneurship principles and practices• Demonstrated ability to develop business plans and roadmaps with clear strategies, goals and financial projections for execution and scaling• Practical experience in product development• Track record of developing, accelerating and championing social enterprises that support local communities and sustainable development goals • Experience in providing entrepreneurial and innovation support, as well as capacity-building• Willingness to work in an international setting with frequent domestic and international travel • Self-motivated, passionate, collaborative and impact-driven personality with strong teamwork skills • Excellent networking, engagement and communication abilities, with a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders from diverse sectors (academic, public, private), cultural backgrounds and languages • Adeptness in meaningful and sensitive community engagement, including the use of inclusive and participatory approaches• Fluency in English and Thai, both spoken and written• Thai nationality
Desirable• Experience in leading innovation and co-creation processes • Knowledge of patenting processes or other forms of intellectual property protection in the region • Experience in improving gender equality, social inclusion and equity • Proficiency in Lao and/or Chinese languages
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:
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter. The cover letter should explain why the candidate believes they are suitable for the position and provide current contact information for three referees, including recent supervisors. Applications can be submitted by clicking "Apply Now". Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more information about RECOFTC, please visit our website at https://www.recoftc.org/
RECOFTC is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on ethnicity, religion, age, nationality, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by RECOFTC's values and code of conduct. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified disabled applicants to participate in the application process. If you require special accommodation, please inform RECOFTC's Human Resources in writing at the time of application. The successful candidate will be selected based on merit.