Fish Conservation Technical Advisor,
FFI Myanmar Country Programme
Application Pack
“In the past century FFI has consistently
saved species from extinction and
protected habitats from destruction.
Their solutions have always been
practical, efficient and sustainable in
local circumstances.”
Sir David Attenborough,
FFI Vice-president
FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL
Founded in 1903, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world’s longest-established international
conservation organisation. Our vision is to create a sustainable future for the planet where
biodiversity is conserved by the people living closest to it. We aim to do this through the
conservation of threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are
sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. We have become a
trusted entity in the world of conservation. Today FFI is active in over 40 countries.
ASIA PACIFIC PROGRAMME
Working closely with local partners, the Asia-Pacific Programme currently includes a broad range
of species and landscape targeted conservation initiatives in Cambodia, China, Indonesia,
Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, and has country programme offices in Phnom Penh,
Nanning, Jakarta, Manila, Yangon and Hanoi and a regional office in Singapore. Around 70
projects are being implemented in the region by a team of approximately 200 staff, consultants,
volunteers and partner organisations with an annual regional budget of approximately USD 10
million.
FFI MYANMAR PROGRAMME
Myanmar, the second largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, is home to a wealth of
biodiversity. The country still harbours large tracts of forest and many charismatic and unique
species. In stark contrast to the country’s biological riches, over two thirds of the country’s human
population currently live below the poverty line and depend on natural resources for their survival.
Despite their high dependence on natural resources, local people have been excluded from
decisions concerning the country’s protected areas. Yet this situation is slowly changing. For the
first time, grass roots organisations are being established to address issues of environmental
governance and human welfare.
FFI is working with these emerging organisations from the snowy and mountainous north of the
country in Kachin State to the densely forested and tropical south in Tanintharyi Region. In
partnership with Government, NGOs and civil society, FFI’s work in Myanmar covers a range of
diverse subjects including working on threatened species, forest, freshwater, karst and marine
ecosystems, building skills in protected area management, engaging with the agriculture sector
(palm oil) and awareness raising on the issues facing the country as it develops.
THE OPPORTUNITY
FFI is seeking a Technical Advisor for a CEPF funded project titled ‘A Gap Analysis for the
Conservation of Freshwater Biodiversity in the Upper Ayeyarwady Basin’. The purpose of this new
position is to provide technical assistance and oversight to the team in the field.
There is currently little data on freshwater fish and the threats they face in Myanmar. This is an
exciting opportunity to carry out a gap analysis for freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas in the Upper
Ayeyarwady and to raise the status of Fish Conservation Zones (FCZs) such that they become
acknowledged in the national Protected Area system.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Start Date:
As soon as possible
Duration of contract:
One year fixed-term contract
Probation Period:
Three months
Salary:
max. USD 1000 per month (based on salary history &
qualification)
Benefits:
 25 working days annual leave entitlement
 National health insurance
Location:
Indawgyi and Putao, with trips to the city of Yangon and
remote field sites as needed.
Hours of Work:
Expected to work during normal hours (8.00am – 5.00pm),
five days a week, with a one-hour break for lunch. There may
be special cases where off-hours work is needed.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Fish Conservation Technical Advisor,
FFI Myanmar Country Programme
Responsible to:
FFI Freshwater Project Manager
Key
Relationships:
Fauna & Flora International
Other project employees, technical advisers and volunteers
Main Duties:
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The field coordinator is responsible to coordinate all activities in the field including fish
surveys, fish monitoring at market/landing sites, facilitation of local communities to establish
and develop community managed fisheries areas and fish conservation zones. He/She will
also be responsible supporting the project manager in the preparation of technical and
financial reports to the donor.
Specific project activities: Gap Analysis
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Undertake a desk and field review of the riparian communities along the Upper
Ayeyarwady.
Undertake a broad literature review to assess current knowledge and identify areas lacking
in-depth surveys. Currently it is thought that there are no freshwater fauna studies on any
river outside of the direct floodplain (i.e. on tributaries), but a full literature review, including
EIA documents from hydropower projects, will confirm this.
Identify particular habitats which have been neglected in previous surveys, e.g.
headwaters, rapids, areas above floodplains. It is thought that the floodplains of larger
rivers have generally been more fully studied, but we will undertake a full assessment of
available data to confirm this.
Identify important fish spawning and aggregation sites through interviews with local fishing
communities and district/township fisheries department staff.
Identify areas with the greatest concentration of local endemics.
Identify Freshwater KBAs for future conservation management action by overlaying maps
of species density and distribution, levels of endemism, and known threats.
Establish a survey model and develop standards that can be used for gap analysis in other
areas.
Training of NGO partners, communities, and Myitkyina university students in survey
techniques, identification, use of identification tools and record of basic ecological
observations for community members and local government staff. Collection of data and
information on other components of aquatic biodiversity, such as crustaceans (shrimps,
crabs), molluscs (mussels, snails), etc.
Specific activities: FCZs
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Identify management and ecological gaps to assess/monitor the effectiveness of FCZs
established by Friends of Wildlife (FoW) in Indawgyi lake; the project aims to ensure that
protection is expanded beyond the current wildlife sanctuary to cover small streams, which
are most critical for the survival of Indawgyi’s endemic fish.
Analyze lessons learned from Indawgyi Lake (FoW) and Laos (FISHBIO) to develop FCZs
as a best-practice approach for fish conservation throughout the Ayeyarwady basin.
Identify priority sites for FCZs in the Upper Ayeyarwady, raise awareness of the benefits of
FCZs among local stakeholders, and consult and involve local stakeholders in FCZ
designation.
Prepare, disseminate and follow-up on briefing and advocacy materials for local and central
government on FCZs and the benefits for including them in national PA accounting.
Engage local communities to pilot at least 5 FCZs at key conservation areas in the
Ayeyarwady basin to expand the PA network for the conservation of threatened and
endangered fish.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
Desirable
Skills
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Excellent English language skills
Good organisational skills
Ability to work under pressure and willingness
to learn new skills and update knowledge and
skills regularly
Knowledge
and
experience
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Experience in an aspect of freshwater
biodiversity in SE Asia
Experience of project management
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Behavioural
qualities
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Experience with fish
and social surveys
in riparian areas
Experience of
working in Myanmar
Commitment to biodiversity conservation
Team player
Capacity to work independently, to be flexible
and responsive to the needs of organisation
and programme
Comfort and sensitivity to living and working in
a different culture
Patience dealing with language barriers
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications, consisting of a cover letter explaining why you feel you should be considered for this
post, a full CV and contact details for two referees (who will not be approached without your
permission), should be submitted electronically to Nwe Waddy nwewaddy@gmail.com, Ei Thazin
eithazin.ffi@gmail.com
Please mark your application ‘Fish Conservation Technical Advisor, FFI Myanmar Programme.’
The closing date for applications is Sunday 31 January 2016.
We will endeavor to reply to all applicants. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the
closing date, however, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.