Vacancy Announcement
Position/Title:
Organization:
Duty Station:
Duration of Contract:
Environmental Officer
EcoDev/ALARM (Advancing Life and Regenerating Motherland)
Based in Yangon, occasionally need to travel to field
1-year contract (extendable up to 3 years) with 3-month
probation
Closing date of application: 20th February 2015
Background
EcoDev/ALARM is a leading Environmental NGO based in Myanmar since 1999, which has been
implementing projects nationwide and engaging in policy dialogue. EcoDev/ALARM has played
a key role in the environmental rehabilitation projects and has engaged in many environmental
monitoring and management projects. An Ecological Laboratory, Eco-Lab, has also been
established to give scientific evidences to develop the environment awareness and knowledge.
Currently the issue of environment is underestimated in Myanmar. Now that the country is
opening up for foreign investment, we see that environmental issues, as well as land right
issues, are ignored in many of the investment projects. There have been many examples in such
cases as Myit Sone Dam project, Lapadaung Copper Mine project, Coal Power Plant in Dawei
Deep Sea Port project and so on. Moreover, statistics are also very poor in Myanmar in general,
so it is difficult to provide quantitive data to put more body to such examples (EcoDev/ALARM
now started producing “Myanmar Environmental Outlook” to fill in this gap). EcoDev/ALARM,
however, believes the examples clearly indicate that environmental aspects are systematically
ignored by (foreign) investors, as are the effects on local communities.
The broader goal of the project is to create decision making systems throughout the country,
that involve the interests of local communities. Seeking partnerships with other actors is a
necessary part of this. To accelerate the effort made in environmental monitoring,
EcoDev/ALARM will coordinate with like-minded NGOs from existing CSO networks such as
Myanmar’s Alliance for Transparency and Accountability (MATA) and so on.
Purpose and Goal
EcoDev/ALARM is going to implement a three year project funded by the European Union (EU)
for Environmental Watch for Environmental Governance (EWEG) in Myanmar. The purpose of
this project is to improve environmental democracy and governance through participatory
mechanism of environmental report card system and environmental hotline. The programme
will be undertaken through a range of deliberative networks and events at nested scales, in
which stakeholders with capacities improved project support, can build shared understanding
and consensus for action and impact of the activities on the environment.
Main activities of the project include:
(1) Training of community based organizations and NGOs in environmental monitoring and
watch activity (mostly by introducing them to the Environmental Report Card system).
(2) Setting up an environmental laboratory, to be able to scientifically prove soil, air and water
quality, to provide technical backstopping of environmental issues raised by communities.
(3) Creating an Environmental hotline, which receives complaints concerning land grabbing,
natural resource depletion and environmental pollution; technically verifies these complaints,
and starts advocacy to reduce causes of the environmental damage.
(4) Advocate more generally for better environmental legislation and law enforcement.
Role of this position
Overall
This role as Environmental Officer in EWEG project that will involve overseeing and being directly
responsible for project field activities. The position will entail coordination for training of community
based organizations (CBOs) and NGOs in environmental monitoring and watch activity by introducing
them to the Environmental Report Card (ERC) system and reporting the collected data of the ERC. Other
roles will also include close interaction with Government at State / Regional levels, as well as handling the
environmental hot line cases by classifying and reporting.
Detailed responsibilities
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To understand project implementation processes and to be able to cooperate with others
To manage public relation activities
To organize media conferences and press related matters
To handle complaint mechanisms for the environmental governance
To be able to access field survey trips and conduct environmental assessments
Work closely with Coordinator for detailed monitoring plan design and budget forecast
To control and update social media information especially via internet and websites
To be able to follow occasional instructions from project management team
To be able to mobilize for the environmental reporting system and coordinate the trainings at
project area
Work closely with communities and local authorities
Any other reasonable duty as directed by the Team Leader and Project Coordinator.
Required Qualifications
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1 year experience or more in a similar position
University degree in Social Science, Environment or Forestry, or other relevant area
Ability to use Microsoft Windows and key programmes from Microsoft Office such as Word, Excel and
Power Point
Proven managerial skill and ability to work in a team setting within an organization
Good communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as strong analytical skills
Fluent Myanmar and strong working knowledge of both spoken and written English
Understand policy landscape relating to forestry and environmental governance in Myanmar
Willing and able to travel to and spend time in project areas
Apply to
Building(A), Room(107),Corner of Hninsi and 1st Street,Hiway Complex Housing,
Ward(6),Narnattaw Street, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon. Ph-09-73076412, 012305540, 098612974,Fax: +95 12305689
Please submit your application (clearly identify the post you apply) by mail to Operations
Department, ALARM at [email protected] and [email protected] latest by
20th February 2015 (5:00 pm).
In your application, please include cover letter, updated CV (including expected salary) and
name of two referees with available contact information. Thank you.