Organization: European Forest Institute
Country: Spain
Closing date: 14 Aug 2017
Natural Resources / Forest Governance Practitioner at the EFI Barcelona Office, Spain
30.06.2017
The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation with 27 member countries and 120 member organisations. EFI headquarters is located in Finland with several offices across Europe that focus on forest policy and research support at pan European and global levels. EFI hosts the EU FLEGT and REDD Facilities whose aim is to improve forest and land use governance, promote the legal trade in timber, and address the underlying causes of illegal logging and deforestation. The Facilities are based in Barcelona, Spain with project offices in Asia and presence in Latin America and Africa. Further information about the EU FLEGT and REDD Facilities are available at www.euflegt.efi.int and www.euredd.efi.int.
The EU FLEGT Facility is part of a global effort to address illegal logging that provides strategic and technical support to the European Union (EU), EU Member States, and timber-producing countries to help advance the implementation of the EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan. The Facility does this mainly through (1) the negotiation and implementation of bilateral trade agreements to improve forest governance between producer countries, and the EU; (2) dialogue with other consumer markets such as China; and (3) regionally focused initiatives to advance forest governance objectives.
EFI is seeking a Natural Resources / Forest Governance Practitioner to join its FLEGT team to advance forest governance in Central Africa. Our work involves supporting and strengthening:
- Stakeholder inclusion and participatory decision making.
- Institutional reform and change management processes.
- System development and design.
- Supply chain control.
- Legislative and policy reform.
- Capacity development of diverse stakeholders.
- Forest sector accountability, transparency, and enforcement processes.
- Effective coordination mechanisms.
Tasks and responsibilities
- The Practitioner will provide technical as well as strategic advice and support processes and activities in Central and West Africa. The Practitioner will:
- Lead the facility work in several Congo Basin countries, including managing multiple projects and contracts, and supporting national and bilateral processes.
- Engage, guide and share lessons with national stakeholders related to addressing forest governance challenges and drivers of deforestation, increasing transparency, strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, and implementing institutional enhancements.
- Assist countries in their development and implementation of systems to increase accountability, control timber origin and legality along the timber supply chain, implement institutional and policy reform, and structure stakeholder inclusion in sector reform processes.
- Assist the EU in their dialogue with timber producing countries to improve forest governance, in particular in negotiating and implementing Voluntary Partnership Agreements.
- Contribute to FLEGT regional and global activities, including dialogue with regional organisations and initiatives.
Qualifications
- MSc/MA or equivalent in experience in natural resource management, political science, organisational management, economics, forestry, or a related and suitable field.
- Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in organisational management, forestry, public administration, natural resources management, extractive industries and related trade, development cooperation or related field.
- Professional proficiency in written and spoken French and English. Proficiency in Spanish is an asset.
Experience
- Leadership, capacity for initiative and track record of creative, structured and strategic thinking and pragmatic problem-solving.
- Understanding of how to affect change in institutional settings.
- Familiarity with control and enforcement systems, quality management or system auditing.
- Understanding of socio-political and cultural context of natural resources management and land-use governance in the tropics, preferably West or Central Africa.
- Demonstrated ability of working in multi-disciplinary teams on complex and politically sensitive issues with governments, industry, NGOs or communities.
- Excellent communication and networking skills, solid writing, reporting and presentation skills.
How to apply:
Duty station and travel
The position will be based at the Facility’s office in Barcelona, Spain, with frequent travel to Africa and within Europe.
Employment conditions
The Practitioner will be an EFI staff member. The initial duration of employment will be two years including a six-month probation period. EFI offers a competitive benefits and salary package.
Interested candidates are requested to send (in English) a CV including copies of academic degree certificates / diplomas with a motivation letter by 14th August 2017, using our online application form. If you are not able to apply online, please send your application to efi.hr@efi.int.
For more information about the position, please contact Lea Turunen at lea.turunen @ efi.int.
EFI is an equal opportunity employer. All applications will be treated confidentially.
Please note that only candidates who have been shortlisted for interview will be contacted.
