Head of Communications

The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation established by European States. EFI undertakes forest research and policy support at pan-European and global levels. EFI’s Headquarters is located in Joensuu, Finland. EFI has several offices across Europe, and project offices in Malaysia and China. The Institute has app. 100 staff members and has an annual turnover of app. 14 million Euros.  Further information about the organisation is available at www.efi.int.

EFI is seeking a senior professional with a strong communications background to lead all communications activity at EFI.

The post will involve in particular:

• As a member of EFI’s Management Team provide strategic leadership and guidance on all EFI’s communications activities.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of the institute’s communications strategy, both internally and externally and the associated activities.
• Developing and maintaining EFI brand.
• Manage media relations on behalf of EFI, to include building and maintaining effective relationships with journalists.
• Lead the Communications Unit, with overall responsibility for quality of work, management, professional development and financial performance.
• Work closely with management and Regional Offices to ensure that communication activity is aligned with central activity.
• Ensure continued evaluation of the effectiveness of communications.
   

Qualifications:

• Degree in communication, journalism or related subject.
• Ideally possess at least 10 years’ experience of leading a Communications team.
• Experience of designing communication strategies that have increased awareness of an organisation.
• Experience of using the full communications mix to proactively communicate an organisation’s agenda.
• Ability to negotiate, influence and persuade at a senior level.
• Excellent communication and networking skills, solid writing and reporting skills.
• Experience in communicating about forest and/or natural resource related issues an advantage.
• Experience in working in a multi-cultural, inter-disciplinary environment.
• Fluency in English is essential.  Fluency in either Finnish, German, Spanish, French is an advantage.
   

Duty Station:

The employee will be based at EFI Headquarters in Joensuu, Finland, with frequent travelling within Europe.

Employment Conditions

The employee will be an EFI staff member.  A fixed term appointment of five years is envisaged with an option for extension.

EFI offers a competitive benefits and salary package. This position offers a challenging opportunity to work within a stimulating international environment in one of the Institute’s senior positions.

Interested candidates are requested to send a CV with a cover letter by 15th August 2016, using our online application form.  If it is not possible to apply online, please send your application to efi.hr @ efi.int.

For more information about the post please contact Robert Mavsar, Deputy Director: robert.mavsar @ efi.int.

All applications will be treated confidentially.

Please note that only candidates that have been shortlisted for interview will be contacted.