Policy Officer - Forest Management (male/female)

Title

Policy Officer – Forest Management (male/ female)

Business Unit

Policy and Standards Unit (PSU)

Reports to

Program Manager (Forest Management)

About FSC:

FSC is an independent, not for profit, non-governmental multi-stakeholder organization. FSC was established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. Today, FSC is the leading forest management certification system in the world.

FSC works by bringing people together to promote responsible forest management and to find solutions to the problems created by bad forestry practices.

FSC does so by providing standard setting, trademark assurance, accreditation services and business value for companies and organizations interested in responsible forestry.

Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

Mission statement/  business objectives of the function:

The Policy Officer (Forest Management) supports the development, maintenance and consistent implementation of FSC Policies and Standards within the Forest Management Program, in the core area of responsible forest management.

Main roles and responsibilities:

• Support in standards development: activities related to the development, maintenance and review of certification and accreditation standards, including:
  • Research of technical issues to be covered by FSC policies or standards.
  • Administration and coordination of Technical Working Groups.
  • Administration, coordination and facilitation of pilot tests of standards.
  • Building and maintaining good and effective contacts and relations with stakeholders affected by FSC's Forest Management Policies and Standards.
• Support in communication and education:
  • Assisting in the development of communications, guidance and training materials related to the Policy and Standards Unit’s work and outputs.
  • Assisting in the provision of advice and training to certification bodies, National Initiatives and others throughout the FSC Network to ensure the consistent implementation of FSC Policies and Standards.
  • Development and maintenance of the FSC websites content as it relates to the Forest Management Program.
• Support in project development and administration for work areas under his/her responsibility:
  • Conceptualizing projects and feasibility studies.
  • Support in fundraising and reporting to donors.
• Administration and handling of information requests by certification bodies and third parties related to FSC's Forest Management Policies and Standards.
• Support to other FSC Units in relation to standard interpretation and development.
• Special function: Administration and handling of pesticides derogations in cooperation with the Pesticides Committee and the Technical Advisors.
• Additional tasks as agreed with the Program Manager (Forest Management) or the Policy and Standards Director.

Execution of discretionary power:

The position does not include any signing power.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Adherence to budgets, timelines, and outputs of assigned tasks.
• Timely and professional interaction with external parties (certification bodies, committees, experts and advisors, consultants).
• Achieve high level of customer satisfaction in terms of enquiries according to internal procedures.
• Ensure high level of quality in implementing the relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Analyse, prevent and minimize potential or emerging risks for project implementation.

Functional attribution to organizational unit:

The Forest Policy Officer reports to:

• The Program Manager (Forest Management).
• The Policy and Standards Director regarding pesticides derogations.

Cooperation with other operational units:

• Business units of
  • FSC International Center
  • FSC Global Development
• ASI – Accreditation Services International
• FSC Regional Offices
• FSC Network Partners (e.g. National Offices, National Representatives, National Focal Points)

Qualification, experience and skills:

The successful candidate demonstrates the following key competencies and qualities:

• Education and Training: University/ technical college degree in forestry / wood technology or equivalent.
• Working experience:
  • At least two years of work experience in relevant work areas, such as multi-stakeholder initiatives; standards development processes; certification; the forest sector; or corporate environmental and social responsibility programs.
  • Basic project management experience is a plus.
• Languages: Fluency in English (spoken and written). Spanish is a plus.
• Writing skills:
  • Excellent written and strong verbal communication skills.  
  • Experience with website content and news writing is a plus.
• Computer skills:
  • Good computer skills, including the use of standard software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access) and database management platforms.
  • Experience with Content Management Systems and websites is a plus.
• Others:
  • Ability to work well as a member of a multi-cultural, inter-disciplinary, multi-lingual, global team.
  • Commitment to FSC’s mission and values.
  • Demonstrated cultural awareness and sensitivity to the diversity of values, views and approaches to issues relevant to the FSC program by stakeholders around the world.
  • Familiarity at the general level with the scope of FSC’s programs of standard setting, accreditation, trademark management and political engagement.
  • Ability to represent FSC through his/her work with exemplary personal and professional authority and conduct.

Terms and conditions:

• Location: Bonn, Germany.
• Full Time: 40 working hours per week.
• Temporary contract: 2 years – extension possible.
• Starting date: As soon as possible.
• Travel: Sporadic travel is required.

How to apply:

• Please send by 11 January 2013 your motivation letter, including salary expectation (net), and Curriculum Vitae as attachments, in English, to Matthias Fecht at psu.policy.officer.fm@fsc.org
• Please cite Policy Officer (Forest Management) 2013 in the subject line of your email.
• Please consult www.fsc.org for further information on FSC.

We will confirm receipt of your application. However, only candidates shortlisted for an interview will be further contacted and will receive notice of the final outcome of the selection process. Should you not receive a confirmation of receipt please contact Matthias Fecht at recruitment@fsc.org