Department Overview: 

The FFI Cambodia Programme is currently recruiting for a skilled and  committed Research Specialist for the Marine Plastic Project, which focuses on reducing plastic pollution entering Cambodia’s coastal and  marine ecosystems to minimise the impact of this threat on species, habitats and coastal communities.

Main duties:

The Research Specialist will lead research activities for FFI’s Marine Plastic Project in coastal Cambodia, focusing waste characterization  and plastic use surveys, hotspot and threat assessments and monitoring of  marine litter, to inform strategies to reduce marine plastic pollution. The role will involve research design, training and capacity building for  government counterparts, local partners and students, while working  with a dynamic team in the implementation and administration of FFI’s Marine Plastic Project. The role will strengthen research design and field activities, with a focus on informing policy and developing marine litter monitoring and management programmes for Cambodia.

Duties

• Coordinate research design and delivery for FFI’s marine plastic  project (60%)
• Lead desk based, national and site-based marine plastic research,  with responsibility for research design, data collection, data  analysis and reporting;
• Coordinate research activities in project sites, including planning, logistics, liaison with project partners, data collection, analysis of  project research and report writing;
• Support marine litter monitoring and assessment with project partners, by engaging communities, recruiting and training volunteers and managing databases;
• Support the development of a national marine litter monitoring programme and marine litter hotspot assessments alongside government and NGO partners, providing technical support, coordination and training where needed;
• Share research findings and conduct consultations with stakeholders  to support design of locally-appropriate interventions informed by participatory engagement.
• Strengthen partner capacity and networks for marine plastic  research and the reduction of marine litter (20%)
• Coordinate multi-stakeholder engagement through participation and/or leadership of technical working group, meetings, workshops  and online communications;
• Build government and coastal community capacity for marine plastic management and research, through awareness raising, training, workshops and ongoing support;
• Strengthen collaboration and communication with other partners, including NGOs, intergovernmental agencies and government departments;
• Building relationships with community partners whilst working  closely with the Cambodia Marine Conservation Project;
• Attend workshops and conferences as a Marine Plastic Project representative and promote and report on project activities.
• Support marine plastics project operations, administration  and logistics (20%)
• Develop social media posts to raise the profile of FFI’s marine plastic research, supporting media campaigns as needed;
• Support Marine Plastic Project logistics, including field work, travel arrangements, meeting coordination, agenda creation and  communication with local partners;
• Support the development of work plans and provide input to   quarterly and annual reports when requested;
• Prepare budgets for field trips and clearances with accompanying receipts and field reports in a timely manner;
• Assist with translation and interpretation between English and  Khmer;
• Collate and file research results, contact details, basic community information, species records, waypoints, maps and digital photographs in FFI’s online system.

Requirements

• Degree/Level:

1. Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Environmental Science, Solid Waste Mangement, Natural Resource Management, Social Science, Integrated Coastal Management or a related field;
2. Experience (at least three years) in a research focused role, ideally working with an NGO / INGO or an international agency;

• Skills & Knowledge:

1. Experience designing and coordinating research and working with communities in remote locations, ideally in coastal areas;
2. Knowledge of biodiversity conservation, solid waste or social science research, ideally with a solid waste, marine litter and/or plastic pollution focus;
3. Experience delivering training and/or presenting to community groups, students, authorities etc;
4. Fluent in written and spoken Khmer;
5. Excellent professional proficiency in written and spoken English (high standard essential);
6. Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and other MS Office products;
7. Willingness to travel outside of Phnom Penh regularly and by boat.

• Behavioral Qualities:

1. Commitment to FFI’s Mission and Vision;
2. Rigorous and diligent approach to work;
3. Team player, demonstrating ability to seek out and harness the  views and contributions of others in an inclusive and respectful manner;
4. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
5. Ability to build positive personal and organizational relationships;
6. Ability to work within a multi-cultural environment.