Biodiversity & Forest Conservation Specialist

Organization

Socodevi is a Canadian network of cooperative and mutual enterprises that shares its technical expertise and practical know-how with partners in developing countries. Our mission is to improve the living conditions of the communities we support in a tangible and sustainable way.

Workplace

Hanoi, Vietnam.

Duration of assignment

November 2026 – December 2029 (12-month initial contract)

Contract Type

The position is for Vietnamese nationals only.

Project Description

Socodevi Vietnam is looking for a qualified candidate to take on the position of Biodiversity & Forest Conservation Specialist. The successful candidate will work directly with local partners and communities to support the implementation of the BLOOM project (Biodiversity and Livelihood Opportunities for Ethnic Minority Women), a Global Affairs Canada-funded initiative (2025–2030) that promotes biodiversity conservation and inclusive livelihoods in Tuyen Quang and Dak Lak provinces. The project’s ultimate goal is to improve the health of key ecosystems to support biodiversity and climate change adaptation with a focus on ethnic minority women and their communities in Tuyen Quang and Dak Lak provinces.

Key Expected Results:

Outcome 1100: Increased adoption by ethnic minority women and their communities of gender-sensitive nature-based solutions (NbS) that protect the ecological integrity of Key Biodiversity Areas for conservation and climate adaptation.
Outcome 1200: Increased sustainable use of Key Biodiversity Areas by ethnic minority women who are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Outcome 1300: Enhanced participation and influence of ethnic minority women in shaping governance, policies, and programs related to Key Biodiversity Areas that are critical for biodiversity targets and climate resilience.

What Success Looks Like for Us

Biodiversity & Forest Protection Interventions: High-priority Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) and target forest ecosystems demonstrate measurable improvements in habitat integrity, biodiversity health, and reduced deforestation or degradation through community-led conservation measures.
Conservation-Compatible Livelihoods: Local communities and ethnic minority women successfully transition to and scale nature-positive, sustainable non-timber forest products (NTFPs) or conservation-aligned livelihoods that remove economic pressure from natural forests and protected zones.
Community-Led Forest Stewardship: Local governance structures, user groups, and community patrols achieve clear management capacity and formal operational roles, establishing effective local stewardship over boundary zones and protected areas.
Integrated Management: Local land use and natural resource management plans seamlessly blend biodiversity conservation and forest restoration targets without compromising ecosystem services.
Practical Field & Monitoring Tools: Complex ecological monitoring concepts, threat-mapping methodologies, and biodiversity assessment frameworks are translated into simple, accessible tools and participatory tracking systems suited for local community members and Forest Protection / Management officials
Effective Budget Management: Project interventions and designated budgets are managed efficiently, transparently, and in strict compliance with donor (Global Affairs Canada) and Socodevi financial guidelines.

Position and Reporting Lines

The Biodiversity & Forest Conservation Specialist leads the strategic design, field execution, monitoring, and adaptation of the BLOOM project’s core biodiversity conservation component. A primary pillar of this role involves serving as the key technical liaison to state forestry authorities, working in direct, daily coordination with the Forest Protection Department (FPD) and local Forest Management Boards (FMBs) to align project interventions with provincial conservation plans, forest co-management frameworks, and enforcement protocols.

Operating with a high degree of technical independence, the role focuses on translating complex biodiversity conservation frameworks, natural resource management principles, and if relevant, forest market concepts into actionable field strategies, community monitoring tools, and sustainable non-timber forest product (NTFP) value chains that tangibly protect ecosystem integrity while advancing local livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

While the operates with a high degree of technical independence, the role reports to and is guided by the project’s senior leadership:

Direct Report / Supervision: On a day-to-day basis, works under the direct guidance of the Technical Team Leader to ensure all strategies align with project goals.
Technical Guidance: Coordinates occasionally with Socodevi HQ technical advisors to maintain consistency with institutional fameworks and standards, where applicable

Internal stakeholders

The position requires a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. The Specialist works closely with the internal project team to sequence and technically align field activities:

Technical Specialists: Work with other technical specialists
Operational & Provincial coordination: Coordinates with the Operations team and Provincial Coordinators to facilitate smoothly run field assessments and training tracking.

External Stakeholders

The Specialist acts as a key liaison and technical advisor to external stakeholders, co-designing interventions and building local capacities. Primary external coordination lines include:

Local Authorities & Civil Society: Working directly with local authorities (such as the Department of Agriculture and Environment), forest management boards, Research institutes, and NGOs or community groups to align livelihoods with conservation goals.
Market & Private Sector Actors: Engaging with agricultural cooperatives, farmer groups, private sector lead buyers, input suppliers, and enterprises to foster inclusive market linkages and build climate-resilient value chains.
Field Implementers: Managing and reviewing the outputs of external consultants and technical service providers to ensure high-quality activity delivery.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

Project Delivery (50%)

Lead the design and implementation of biodiversity conservation activities aligned with project outcomes.
Promote and support community-based forest management models and NbS tailored to local ecosystems.
Contribute to biodiversity assessments baselines.
Work closely with the Agriculture and Markets specialist to provide technical inputs for agroforestry, reforestation, forest-dependent livelihoods, and climate adaptation initiatives related to value chains and financial inclusion.
Act as budget holder for designated project outcomes and activities, ensuring that all expenditures are planned and monitored in accordance with donor guidelines and Socodevi’s financial policies
Contribute to the development of training tools and facilitate training for field teams and stakeholders.

Partner and Stakeholder Engagement (30%)

Coordinate with provincial authorities, forest management boards, local mass organizations, and NGOs.
Support partnerships with research institutions and biodiversity experts to inform evidence-based programming.
Organize and participate in technical workshops, trainings, and community outreach events.
Represent the project in relevant environmental and forestry networks at national and international levels.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Communication (10%)

Contribute to the development and means of measurement of indicators related to biodiversity, forest integrity, and community-based conservation.
Work with the MEL specialist to ensure appropriate tracking of biodiversity outcomes and best practices
Support field monitoring, data analysis, and documentation of lessons learned on forestry and biodiversity conservation.
Collaborate closely with the Communications Officer to identify and leverage communications and media opportunities that promote Socodevi’s and DID’s work and increase their visibility within the wider development community in Vietnam and internationally.

Gender Equality (10%)

Collaborate with the Gender Equality officer to ensure the integration of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy principles across all project components
Provide input on gender-sensitive indicators related to relevant outcomes.
Help raise awareness and capacity on gender equality among local partners, and community groups

Other Responsibilities

Undertake any other duties reasonably assigned by the Technical Team Leader to support effective implementation of the BLOOM project and broader organisational objectives

Professional Requirements

Minimum:

Education: Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in Forestry, Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree combined with extensive equivalent experience will also be considered.
Experience: At least 5 years of professional experience in biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, agroforestry systems, or community-based natural resource management.
Technical Expertise: Proven track record in designing and implementing biodiversity assessments, forest restoration strategies, or sustainable non-timber forest product (NTFP) value chains.
Contextual Knowledge: Strong understanding of ethnic minority livelihood dynamics, traditional ecological knowledge, and sustainable resource use within forest-dependent and upland landscapes.
Language Skills: Professional-level fluency in English with strong analytical, facilitation, and technical report writing skills.
IT Skills: Proficiency in standard office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and basic familiarity with GIS/remote sensing spatial tools.

Desirable:

Previous experience working in Tuyen Quang and/or Dak Lak, particularly with local authorities, communities, stakeholders, or biodiversity and natural resource management initiatives
Carbon Finance & Markets: Expertise in carbon finance, forest carbon accounting, or voluntary carbon markets.
Donor Projects: Experience working with international donor-funded initiatives (e.g., Global Affairs Canada, EU, UKAID, DFAT).
Energy Systems: Familiarity with efficient cookstoves and clean cooking solutions, off-grid renewable energy business models (e.g., solar, biogas) within rural energy ecosystems.
Community Engagement: Direct experience working alongside ethnic minority communities, local forestry boards, and mass organizations (e.g., Vietnam Fatherland Front).
Gender Lens: Familiarity with integrating gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches into forest governance, biodiversity monitoring, and natural resource value chains.

Working Conditions

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work as needed.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Socodevi supports flexible work options, including work from home, adjusted hours, and job sharing, where feasible.
Contract Type: 12-month full-time employment contract, with strong potential for extension.
Workplace: Based in Hanoi, with regular travel to Tuyen Quang and Dak Lak provinces.

Socodevi Core Values

At Socodevi, we are committed to advancing gender equality and building an inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment for both the communities we serve and the people on our team. We welcome applications from women, ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities, and actively support flexible work arrangements, including job sharing, remote work and adjusted hours. We recognize that diverse perspectives and lived experiences strengthen our work, and we are committed to ensuring accessibility and equity at every stage of employment.

All staff are required to sign the Code of Conduct and the Policy Against Fraud and Corruption on an annual basis. The Code of Ethics, Safeguard Policy, and Anti-Terrorism Policy are to be signed once upon hiring.

How to Apply

Please click on this link to access the online application form. Your CV and cover letter should clearly describe your experience in financial inclusion, financial education, rural finance, access to finance, savings and credit mechanisms, and work with local partners or communities.

Applications by email will not be accepted. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Socodevi offers a competitive compensation package, with offers based on the relevant experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. The closing date for applications: Sunday October 3^rd, 2026 at 5:00 PM Hanoi time