Chief Advisor - Increase capacity of SMEs within wood supply chain verification

Chief Advisor in Vietnam for the project:

Increasing capacity of CSOs and SMEs to implement FLEGT requirements

Location:              Vietnam 

Details:                 Part time (app 25-30 hours per week) position - possibly full time working with other NEPConservices or self-employed

Start date:            Preferred 1 March 2014, limited to three years with possible extension

Summary of Position

NEPCon is looking for a Chief Advisor for the project Increasing capability of CSOs and SMEs to FLEGT requirements. The project is supported by the EU for a 3 year period with a 450,000 EUR budget. The aim is to build capacity among SMEs and their intermediary organisations to comply with FLEGT and EUTR requirements to ensure the legality of their wooden products. The main areas of work will be:

1) Develop a toolkit to assess and mitigate risk in the timber supply chain.

2) Test the tool kit and train stakeholders in Vietnam in its implementation.

3) Ensure dissemination of project results and the widest possible use of the legality toolkit.

A major goal of the project is to make legal sourcing a practical option for Vietnamese SMEs beyond the life of the project. Dissemination and communication to stakeholders will receive high priority.

The project is implemented in close partnership with the local partner SFMI (Research Institute for Sustainable Forest Management and Forest Certification). The Chief Advisor will be overall responsible for the implementation of the project.    

Responsibilities and tasks

• Supervision of all project staff
• Representing the project together with the Vietnamese Project Coordinator (towards SMEs, important stakeholders, the Vietnamese EU delegation, authorities, and others)
• Ensuring acceptance and true value of project outputs for the Vietnamese SMEs and intermediary organisations. This activity will be closely coordinated with the Project Coordinator who is responsible for the day to day implementation of related activities
• Engage in technical activities to be implemented, focussing on technical quality, compliance with FLEGT and EUTR and user-friendliness
• Activities to disseminate project results and ensure use of the toolkit after project end

Your competencies

• Country or regional experience, preferable from work within forestry or the wood processing industry is an advantage
• High level English and communication skills; Vietnamese language an advantage
• At least Bachelor-level degree or equivalent in Forest Products, Agricultural Products, Natural Resources Management or similar field
• A minimum of 2-3 years of professional work experience, preferably within forest management and/or forest industry (knowledge of FSC/PEFC certification is an advantage), project management or related field
• Experience with wood/timber supply chain and legality; a background in FLEGT related work in other context is preferred
• Previous experience in project management, ideally of EU-funded projects, is an advantage
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and strong level of computer literacy
• Willingness to live and travel extensively in Vietnam and to some degree in the region
• Commitment to the mission and activities of NEPCon and certification as a means to support sustainable development is essential

We offer

• An exciting and challenging position within a fast growing, dynamic and innovative international
• organisation with 80+ staff in 15+ European countries and Russia and with projects being implemented to support legal timber trade and sustainable resource utilization in Europe and Asia
• Close integration in our legality and certification team and strong support and back-up functions
• Salary commensurate with qualifications and performance
• Good opportunities for growth and professional development

About NEPCon

NEPCon is an international non-profit organisation working to encourage and support sustainable land use worldwide. Our core competence area is in the forestry and timber sectors where we primarily work with various certification services and engage in projects internationally.

It is a fast growing organisation and we are further developing our service range to address other sustainable land-use challenges. Our service portfolio currently covers more than 20 million hectares of certified forestland and more than 1,200 certified clients in the timber supply chain, located in more than 30 countries.

In September 2013, NEPCon was officially recognised by the European Commission as a Monitoring Organisation, the first to operate across all EU member states. We are focussing on activiely engaging with the timber trade and processing industry nationally and internationally to implement effective due diligence systems that comply with the EUTR and other legality legislation.

Over the past 20 years, we have implemented numerous projects around the world. Projects are financed by organisations such as the FSC International Center, the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) as well as corporate businesses.

By joining NEPCon, you will be part of a mission-driven, friendly international network. It is a dynamic and open-minded working environment, highly appreciative of innovative ideas that promote our mission and goals. The challenges and diversity of our work as well as the importance we place on staff development provide ample opportunity for professional and personal development.

How to apply

Email a covering letter with your CV, before 18 December 2013 to

application@nepcon.net, att: Peter Feilberg, Executive Director.

For additional information, please contact:

Peter Feilberg, Executive Director, pf@nepcon.net (+372 5664 0246) or

Jan Feil, Project Manager jpf@nepcon.net (+45 28219103).

Terms of Reference for the role are available on request.