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TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

 

Job title: Community Development Manager (CARE Manager)
Department /Team: Community, Education & Awareness (CARE)
Direct Supervisor: Executive Director of WildAct
Key Internal Relationships:

• Media & Fundraising Manager (MCF)
• Species & Habitat Team Manager
• Finance & Operations Team

 

1. Background:

WildAct is a non-profit organization operating in biodiversity conservation in Vietnam, with a focus on empowering local communities, particularly women, to execute effective conservation efforts. One of WildAct’s primary project sites is Chu Yang Sin National Park and its surrounding buffer zone in Dak Lak Province. This region features exceptional biodiversity and cultural richness, inhabited by more than 20 ethnic minority groups, each with unique languages, cultures, and traditions.

Similar to many regions worldwide, biodiversity in this area is threatened by poverty, inequality, and limited access to education. WildAct’s core interventions focus on:

• Community-led Fund (managed directly by local communities)
• Sustainable livelihood models and Agro-forestry systems
• Awareness raising and behavior change education on conservation, gender equality, and sustainable development.

 

WildAct is seeking an experienced Community Development Manager with strong leadership, planning, and partnership-building capabilities across corporate, governmental, and local community sectors to manage and execute the community-focused project components described above.

 

2. Primary Position Objectives

Manage and coordinate field teams, local partners, and corporate partners to engage local communities and ensure their active participation in interventions that enhance farmers’ knowledge and skills in applying Agro-forestry practices effectively (including post-harvest techniques), while strengthening organizational capacity of farmer groups to access finance and market inputs.

Lead field data collection and monitoring activities to support the design and implementation of interventions, while assisting the Species & Habitat team in building a landscape monitoring system—specifically targeting participating farmers to evaluate project impact and track deforestation.

Manage, design, deploy, and evaluate local education and awareness-raising initiatives to provide timely interventions aimed at shifting behaviors regarding wildlife consumption and hunting.

Ensure that all community activities directly contribute to core conservation goals and reduce pressure on forest resources.

 

3. Key Responsibilities

3.1. Analysis and Research

• Conduct partner mapping and stakeholder analysis to build targeted community outreach and engagement strategies.
• Lead socio-economic and community needs assessments to inform the design and execution of project interventions.
• Lead field data collection, including socio-economic surveys and community needs analyses.
• Support the implementation of social and environmental impact assessments for project activities.

3.2. Project Development and Management

• Lead the design and implementation of community engagement and development plans to ensure active involvement of local stakeholders, community leaders, and buffer zone farmers—especially those participating in Agro-forestry initiatives and the Community-led Fund, including commitments to reduce forest encroachment.
• Lead the design and implementation of organizational capacity building programs and Agro-forestry training workshops for farmers.
• Coordinate with the Species & Habitat team to ensure farmer support interventions contribute effectively to reducing encroachment and hunting pressure, including building and executing:
  • Monitoring & compliance system: participant rosters, land parcel mapping, production and livelihood tracking, and encroachment monitoring at pilot sites.
  • Performance & output compliance incentive system for participating farmers, providing access to agricultural inputs, finance, and markets; including market linkage support between farmers and potential buyers.
• Mobilize personnel and design activities to seamlessly integrate conservation awareness into broader community development efforts.

3.3. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Coordinate with the Media & Fundraising team to construct community engagement strategies aimed at raising awareness and driving participation from both local communities and corporate partners in conservation.
• Engage stakeholders to craft tailored messages and communication materials for community outreach aligned with project goals.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with:
  • District and commune-level government authorities and the Management Board of Chu Yang Sin National Park.
  • Farmers, farmer associations, village leaders, and local community members.
  • Mass organizations (Women’s Union, Youth Union, etc.).
  • Project partners and corporate stakeholders. Provide technical support and coordinate meetings, training sessions, and community and school communication and outreach activities in the buffer zone.
• Provide technical support and coordination for meetings, training workshops, and community/school outreach campaigns in buffer zone areas.
• Prepare activity reports and provide periodic progress reports; author and present high-quality research findings, and supply data for project communications.

 

4. Job Requirements

4.1. Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field; experience working in NGOs within social sciences, community development, or related disciplines.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in community development, preferably linked to conservation and/or sustainable agricultural production.
• Field experience working with smallholder farmers and a strong understanding of agricultural production challenges in the Central Highlands (Tay Nguyen).
• Field experience working directly with local communities, particularly ethnic minority groups.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and team leadership.
• Solid understanding of conservation issues, including the impacts of agricultural practices on ecosystems.
• Experience in developing community engagement strategies and conducting social impact assessments.

4.2. Competencies & Skills

• Ability to work independently and proactively with stakeholders across rural and district levels.
• Strong situational judgment, resilience under pressure, and ability to deliver quality work under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong networking, relationship-building, and partnership management skills.
• Strong analytical and professional writing skills.
• Proficiency in English is a strong advantage.

 

Key Benefits:

• Net Salary: Negotiate.
• Full insurance contributions (Social, Health, Unemployment) & Personal Income Tax (PIT) covered based on 100% full gross salary.
• 13th-month salary bonus (Tet bonus).
• 18–20 days annual leave + 1 additional day off for Birthday.
• Female employees: 1 day Work From Home (WFH) per month.
• 38 hours per week (Friday finish at 15:30 upon workload completion).
• Continuous professional development and capacity-building opportunities.

 

Application Details: Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is identified.

Notification of results: Within 20 days after the interview.

 

How to apply: Please submit your application by completing the Google Form HERE or via the official job posting (in Vietnamese) on our website HERE.

 

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact us at [email protected]