Research Coordinator, Wyss Academy for Nature, Hub Southeast Asia, RECOFTC Main Office

About Us

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 almost 40 years of experience and we have built trusting relationships with partners from communities, governments, 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.

We operate in the Asia-Pacific region, with country offices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam.

RECOFTC works closely with the Wyss Academy for Nature to research, develop and implement innovative solutions to address 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 nature and people. Its work is grounded in scientific knowledge, stakeholder engagement and the implementation of innovative solutions. The Wyss Academy for Nature operates through four regional stewardship hubs in East Africa (Kenya), South America (Peru), Southeast Asia (Thailand) and Europe (Switzerland), guided by its vision of a just and sustainable world where nature conservation and human well-being reinforce one another.

RECOFTC is seeking a Research Coordinator for the Wyss Academy to coordinate research activities under the RECOFTC-Wyss Academy collaboration. The successful candidate will be based at the Hub Southeast Asia office, located at the RECOFTC Main Office in Bangkok, with frequent field visits in Thailand and Southeast Asia. The position is offered a 24-month contract, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance.

Tasks and duties

The Research Coordinator is part of the Hub Southeast Asia team of the Wyss Academy for Nature and reports to the Senior Advisor. The Research Coordinator is responsible for coordinating research activities to advance mutual benefits between nature conservation and sustainable livelihood development within Hub Southeast Asia’s Solutionscape(s).

Specific tasks and duties include:

Research coordination

• Under the guidance of the Senior Advisor, co-develop and guide Hub Southeast Asia’s research strategy and coordinate research activities, ensuring alignment with Hub Southeast Asia’s Solutionscape objectives and the Wyss Academy’s systemic approach
• Identify key knowledge gaps and emerging trends in sustainable development and environmental conservation to inform and strengthen the implementation and impact of Hub Southeast Asia’s projects
• Lead the development and planning of research projects in close coordination with strategic project leads
• Monitor and manage research project timelines, budgets and expenditures, and deliverables to ensure timely and effective completion
• Contribute to the implementation of research projects, including project design, data collection and analysis, and the production of academic outputs

Supervision

• Supervise researchers, including postdoctoral, PhD and MSc researchers, who contribute to Hub Southeast Asia’s work, providing guidance and support throughout their research activities
• Ensure academic rigor and adherence to research protocols and ethical standards across all research undertaken by and for Hub Southeast Asia.

Collaboration and knowledge sharing

• Support knowledge engagement with local stakeholders (e.g., communities, civil society organizations, government agencies and businesses) through multi-stakeholder workshops, learning events and other collaborative spaces
• Facilitate research collaboration and knowledge sharing within Hub Southeast Asia, across the Wyss Academy, and with external research partners
• Establish and maintain strong links with research institutions, universities and organizations in Thailand and internationally, and identify opportunities for collaboration
• Represent Hub Southeast Asia at conferences, workshops and other academic forums to network, develop collaborations and raise the academic profile of the Wyss Academy
• Represent Hub Southeast Asia in research-related discussions and events within the Wyss Academy
• Contribute to Hub Southeast Asia’s communications activities
• Contribute to the development, implementation and management of Hub Southeast Asia’s projects and activities
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Senior Advisor and Hub Director

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• PhD in a field related to the relationship between nature and people (e.g., Environmental Science/Studies, Geography, Ecology, Forestry, Agriculture and Rural Development, Sustainability, Environmental Economics, or Political Science), or equivalent professional experience
• At least five years of experience in applied and action research for sustainable development and/or environmental conservation, particularly in Thailand and Southeast Asia
• Experience working in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects, with the ability to engage with topics beyond one’s immediate area of expertise
• Experience with qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods, including advanced statistical skills
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience mentoring and managing research teams
• Systems thinking mindset
• Demonstrated ability to engage meaningfully and sensitively with commun