POSITION OVERVIEW

The Forest Protection Supervisor will champion safeguarding vital forest ecosystems within South Cotabato and Region 12, where the Cultureland Project is located. This leadership role demands close collaboration with local communities, the Indigenous People, dedicated Forest Guard teams, the DENR, and various local government units.  This role focuses on developing and implementing strategies to prevent, detect, and mitigate threats to forest ecosystems, including illegal logging, timber poaching, unauthorized land clearings, forest fires, and proliferation of invasive species, and ensure forest laws are enforced. Furthermore, incorporate biodiversity conservation in the strategy. The successful candidate will lead a team of forest protection officers and community organizers to ensure compliance with environmental laws and promote sustainable forest management practices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Forest Protection, Biodiversity Conservation & Law Enforcement

1. Develop a comprehensive forest protection and management plan aligned with national forestry laws and local ordinances.

2. Establish a functional community-based forest guarding system with active participation from local communities, the DENR, and LGUs.

3. Coordinate with government agencies (DENR, DILG, PNP) to ensure adherence to forest protection regulations.

4. Implement forest monitoring systems with Remote Sensing and GIS technologies to track deforestation and respond to threats in real-time.

Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Building

5. Provide strong leadership, mentorship, and targeted capacity-building initiatives for a team of Forest Protection Officers and local community partners.

6. Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with Indigenous communities, Local Government Units, and law enforcement agencies.

7. Collaborate closely with the Communications team to contribute to the development and execution of impactful public awareness campaigns.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Resource Management

8. Oversee the implementation of a quick-response system for addressing illegal forest activities in coordination with government environmental and security agencies.

9. Manage budgets and resources efficiently to meet forest protection key performance indicators (KPIs).

10. Maintain accurate records and submit regular reports on forest protection activities, deforestation trends, and enforcement measures.

11. Stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices in forest protection, including drone surveillance and remote sensing applications.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in community-based forest conservation, restoration, and resource management.

• 2-3 years of experience coordinating with private sector, civil society, and government stakeholders in managing collaborative forest protection programs.

• Strong knowledge of forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, and wildlife management.

• Experience using GIS mapping, remote sensing, and forest monitoring technologies.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse teams.

• Background in forestry laws, environmental policies, and land-use regulations.

• Strong situational awareness of South Cotabato and Region 12’s forest landscapes.