Forest/Environmental Policy Expert

The Observatory for European Forests (OEF) in Nancy, France is an integral component of the European Forest Institute (EFI) with the headquarters in Joensuu, Finland, and the Central Regional Office EFICENT in Freiburg, Germany. One of EFI’s main aims is to be an acknowledged contact point for researchers, decision-makers and the public seeking unbiased and policy-relevant information on European forests and forestry. The Observatory supports EFI particularly in this work by establishing a research-related, demand-driven and policy-oriented forest information platform. The main objective of the OEF is to foster the linkages between information processes and policy decision making processes at national and pan-European level.

For the OEF in Nancy (France), EFI is seeking a forest/environmental policy expert.

The post will involve in particular:

• conducting and managing EFI research activities in forest and environmental policy
• initiating new projects and active engagement in fundraising
• supporting EFI policy service and strengthening the forest science-policy interface
• establishing an information portal on policies and institutions, in cooperation with other EFI units and international bodies such as UNECE Forestry and Timber Section, FOREST EUROPE, European Commission
• analysing European/national policy objectives, targets and stakeholder perceptions on SFM, using pan-European C&I for SFM as a structure.

The applicant should have a Masters Degree (or equivalent). An applicant with a PhD in forest or environmental policy is preferred. He/she should have as a minimum four years of working experience in following fields:

• European and international forest policy processes, institutions and new modes of governance
• Information needs and policy decision making
• Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management
• Stakeholder dialogue and science-policy interface

The candidate should have the ability to work and communicate with a broad variety of different stakeholders, researchers and policy makers at the European scale. International work experience is of advantage.

Fluency in English is required, French and/or German language skills are an asset. The candidate should have good communication skills and be able to work in an international working environment both independently and in a team.

The successful candidate will be expected to take up the post in October/November 2010. The duration of employment will be 2 years with the possibility of extension.

Applicants should apply with a short application letter, including net salary expectations and a CV by email before 15 Sept. 2010. All applications will be handled confidentially. EFI encourages submissions from female candidates.

Please send your application by email (pdf) to: Dr. Aljoscha Requardt, OEF Manager. aljoscha.requardt@efi.int