Job Description
Deadline for application: 2 August 2026
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
The Research Coordinator must have the following 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 communities, including through inclusive and participatory approaches and citizen science
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of building relationships with diverse stakeholders across academia, policy and practice, including the private sector
- Experience working in multidisciplinary and cross-cultural environments
- Independent, self-motivated, collaborative and impact-driven, with strong teamwork skills
- Willingness to travel frequently, both domestically and internationally
- Fluency in English and Thai, written and spoken
- Thai national
Desirable
- Experience with GIS and/or remote sensing
- Experience with project management processes, including planning, budgeting, reporting and learning, monitoring and evaluation
- Experience with policy engagement and/or private sector engagement
- Experience working in northern Thailand
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:
- Embrace innovation
- Adapt to and learn from challenges
- Nurture commitment, responsibility and ownership
- Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
- Committed to sustainability
- Cultivate participation, gender equity and social inclusion
- Prioritize wellbeing
Commitment to RECOFTC policies and procedures
- At RECOFTC, we uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency and responsibility in all our operations. Our policies and guidelines are designed to ensure a safe, inclusive, sustainable and ethical environment for our staff, partners, consultants and the communities we serve.
- All staff, consultants and contractors engaged by RECOFTC are required to comply with RECOFTC’s policies and procedures while performing their roles with RECOFTC.
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV and cover letter. The cover letter should describe the candidate’s suitability for the position, state salary expectations and provide contact details of three referees, including recent supervisors.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. RECOFTC offers a competitive compensation package.
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, colour, 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. RECOFTC strongly encourages women and individuals from Indigenous and ethnic groups to apply.
