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Title

Head of Unit for its FLEGT and REDD Unit

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Sustainability, Climate, CSR, EMS
Location Spain (North) - Europe
Town/City Barcelona
Type Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status Full Time
Level Senior Level
Deadline 01/09/2011
Company Name European Forest Institute
Contact Name
Email efi.hr@efi.int
Website Further Details / Applications
European Forest Institute logo
Directory Entry : The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation established by European States.
Also Listing:
Description

The EFI FLEGT and REDD unit houses the EU FLEGT Facility and the EU REDD Facility, both of which
support the European Commission, EU Delegations, EU Member States and partner countries in the
implementation of the EU FLEGT Action Plan and REDD+ activities. The annual budget of the Unit is
presently 7 million Euros, and the European Commission and the Governments of the UK, the
Netherlands, Finland, France and Germany are the current providers of funding and other support.
The EU FLEGT Facility supports efforts to combat illegal logging and promote trade in legal timber. It
works with timber producing and exporting countries to develop appropriate systems to ensure the
legal trade and export of timber products, aiming to address forest governance failures. The Facility
currently works in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Facility provides this support through technical
assistance in the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) processes and other equivalent arrangements
through facilitation of dialogue between the EU and timber exporting countries and other forms of
cooperation. Analysis of experiences and raising awareness of VPAs are also parts of the strategy of the
Facility. As more countries express an interest in joining the EU FLEGT Action Plan, future challenges for
the Facility will include implementation of agreed activities by countries, the growing importance of
processing hubs in emerging markets, approaches towards regional and domestic commerce, and
indirect trade with the EU.


The EU REDD Facility provides support to the development of REDD+ policies and actions. It assists both
the EU and developing countries in this context. Important work areas include building the necessary
capacities of developing countries to achieve REDD, supporting forest governance reform and providing
advice for the development of EU financed REDD+ related actions. The Facility builds synergies with
FLEGT VPA processes where relevant, including taking lessons from the FLEGT Action Plan for other
sustainable approaches to addressing drivers of deforestation outside the forest sector.
EFI is looking for a senior-level professional with strong international leadership and management
experience to guide and develop the two facilities. Visioning and leading the future growth of the
facilities in the context of the increasing importance of forests in the cotext of the international
environmental and climate policy will be the main task of the head of FLEGT-REDD Unit. S/he will report
to the EFI Director.


Tasks and responsibilities


In particular the Head of Unit will be responsible for:
* Strategic planning and Policy management – Positioning EFI’s facilities in the broader FLEGT and
REDD policy landscape and planning their future development. Coordinating and networking with
other key players in the FLEGT-REDD field.
* Leadership of the Unit – Lead the development of the growing Unit and ensure motivation of Unit
staff (currently 30 staff members), thus ensuring excellent delivery on the agreed expectations by
all Unit teams. Coordination of the interplay and articulation of teams and themes within the Unit.
Taking responsibility for overall use of funding.
* Donor stewardship – Close liaison with the donors for the joint management of the FLEGT and
REDD Facilities and fundraising for future operations. Working with the European Commission and
EU Delegations to understand their evolving needs related to FLEGT and REDD. Communicating the
progress and achievements to donors.
* External communications - Maintaining communications at a high level with key FLEGT
stakeholders in the EU and in partner counties, including representatives of civil society and the
private sector and international agencies. Representing EFI and the Facilities at relevant meetings
and events.
* Internal communication and liaison with the EFI management - Ensuring a regular flow of
information on progress, operations and strategic development of the Unit to senior EFI
management. Ensuring good collaboration with EFI’s other units and constituencies.


Qualifications


* Minimum 10 years of relevant working experience,
* Strong experience in leadership and management in international context.
* Strong experience in personnel management in expert organizations, with demonstrated
leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire people.
* Excellent understanding of the FLEGT and REDD context and processes and good ability to operate
in international policy environment.
* Proven track record in donor stewardship and fundraising.
* Demonstrated abilities in creative and strategic thinking in the context of policy development and
implementation.
* Ability to work on complex and politically sensitive issues with governments, industry, NGOs and
donor agencies.
* Excellent communication, networking and presentation skills.
* Able to work in multi-disciplinary, international expert teams and in multi-cultural environments.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Proficiency in English is required. Command of French, Spanish, Portuguese and other broadly
spoken languages is a strong asset.
* Practical experience in, and exposure to, realities of developing countries is highly desirable.
Duty station and travel
The Head of Unit will be based at the EFI Policy Advice Office in Barcelona, Spain, with frequent travel to
Brussels and to FLEGT partner countries and REDD+ countries, mainly in Africa, Asia and Latin America.


Employment conditions


The Head of Unit will be an EFI staff member. EFI offers a competitive benefits and salary package.
Interested candidates are requested to send an application letter and CV by 1 September 2011 to Human
Resources Office, EFI, email: efi.hr@efi.int. Applications are handled confidentially.
For more information about the position please contact Mrs. Niina Verkerk, Administrative Manager, EFI’s
FLEGT and REDD Unit, phone +358-10-773 4349 (on Mondays and Wednesdays)

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